The length of time you have to refund a credit card depends on your payment processor’s policies, the card network rules (Visa, Mastercard, etc.), and local regulations. Below is a general breakdown:
⏳ Typical Refund Time Limits by Card Network
Card Network | Recommended Refund Window | Absolute Time Limit |
Visa | Within 30 days | Up to 180 days in most cases |
Mastercard | Within 30 days | Typically up to 180 days |
American Express | Within 30 days | May allow longer but subject to review |
Discover | Within 30 days | Case-by-case basis beyond that |
💡 Best practice: Issue refunds within 30 days to avoid disputes, ensure smooth processing, and comply with customer service expectations.
🧾 Processor-Specific Policies (e.g., Adyen, Stripe, Fiserv)
• Adyen: Refunds can generally be processed as long as the funds are still available and the card is valid; however, older transactions (e.g., 6+ months) may require manual review or may be rejected by the issuer.
• Stripe: No strict refund limit, but after 60 days, the process may require additional handling.
• Fiserv: Similar to card network rules; most refunds are clean within 30–60 days, but not strictly time-locked unless specified.
❗️Important Considerations
• The card must still be valid; expired or canceled cards may cause the refund to fail or be routed manually by the issuer.
• If too much time has passed, manual reimbursement (e.g., ACH, check) may be necessary.
• Refund delays or denials can also occur if the original transaction is archived or outside the acquirer’s system retention window.
📌 Merchant Tip
Even if technically possible, delayed refunds may:
• Increase chargeback risk
• Lower customer satisfaction
• Trigger compliance questions during audits