Bulletins and Announcements

This section contains bulletins and other important announcements on chip-related topics. To view the confidential announcements in this section, you must be registered and subscribed to the Visa Technology Partner website. To view licensed only documents, you must also complete a license agreement.

Visa Technology Partner Migration to Visa Digital Partner Services	Public
Published: Oct-24 Version: 1 Visa Technology Partner Migration to Visa Digital Partner Services
Chip Specification Bulletins
Chip Specification Bulletin #001, 2nd Edition: VCPS Reader Application Selection Specification	Licensed
Published: Feb-24 Provides some small clarifications and adjustments to the initial VCPS Reader Application Selection Specification, Version 3.0.
Chip Specification Bulletin #002: Changes to Recommended Record Layout in VSDC Personalization Specification	Licensed
Published: Jan-24 Changes the recommended record layout in the VSDC Personalization Specification to accommodate larger public key certificates and corrects the recommended AFL values in the qVSDC GPO Response Data DGIs and the K8 GPO Response Data DGI.
Chip Specification Bulletin #003: Updates to VCPS Card, VSDC Personalization, and VIS Specifications	Licensed
Published: Aug-24 Updates to the VCPS Card Specification 3.0, VSDC Personalization Specification 3.0, and VIS 3.0.
Chip Bulletins
Chip Bulletin #13: EMV Contactless Communication Protocol Specification Testing	Licensed
Published: May-16 Clarifies that approval testing can also be performed to the newer versions of EMV CCPS that have subsequently been published, and to provide approval testing migration dates for consumer mobile handsets.
Chip Bulletin #16: Specifications and Applets - Availability and Sunsetting	Licensed
Published: Aug-24 Outlines Visa's current offerings and plans for sunsetting older specifications and applets.
Chip Bulletin #17: Chip Card Products - Revised Renewal and Approval Policy	Licensed - Archived
This bulletin has been superseded by Chip Bulletin 36: UPDATE TO CHIP CARD LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT POLICY
Chip Bulletin #28: Managing Inventory of Expiring VSDC 2.7.1 Chip Card Products	Licensed
Published: Feb-15
Chip Bulletin #31: Mobile Secure Elements - Revised Renewal and Lifecycle Management Policy	Public
Published: Mar-15 This bulletin announces Visa's secure element lifecycle management policy that is effective 1 June 2015. This new policy will be replacing the existing secure element renewal policy.
Chip Bulletin #32: Sunset of MSD-only Contactless Reader Testing	Public
Published: May-15 This bulletin announces that Visa Approval Services will no longer accept MSD-only contactless readers for testing.
Chip Bulletin #33: Host Card Emulation (HCE) Testing	Public
Published: Jun-15 This bulletin communicates the availability of testing for Host Card Emulation (HCE) enabled handsets.
Chip Bulletin #34: Misapplication of Common AID Outside US	Licensed
Published: Nov-15 Recent reports in LAC indicate that some ATMs across Latin America have been erroneously programmed to accept U.S. Common AID, leading to transaction termination and confusion for U.S.-issued Debit cardholders.
Chip Bulletin #36: Card Lifecycle Management Policy	Licensed
Published: Dec-15 Effective 1 January 2016 Visa is introducing a revised, holistic approach to card lifecycle management that takes into account the entire period from approval of the base chip until the date the final card using the product expires in the field.
Chip Bulletin #37: New VSDC Applets	Licensed
Published: Dec-15 This bulletin announces the availability of the VSDC 2.8.1G applet. It also outlines the features of this applet and the forthcoming VSDC 2.9 applet.
Chip Bulletin #38: New VSDC 2.9 Applet	Licensed
Published: Jun-16 This bulletin announces the availability of the VSDC 2.9 card payment applet.
Chip Bulletin #39: Mobile Specifications and Applets - Availability and Sunsetting	Licensed
Published: Mar-23 Outlines Visa's current mobile offerings and plans for sunsetting older specifications and applets.
Chip Bulletin #40: Battery Powered Dynamic CVV2 (dCVV2) Cards Accepted for Approval	Subscriber Only
Published: Oct-16 Visa announces support for dynamic CVV2 cards and outlines the process for card product approval.
Chip Bulletin #42: U.S. Processor Express Program Will Be Updated for Dual Interface Cards	Subscriber Only
Published: Mar-18 Visa will introduce a new pricing structure and new profiles for the Issuer Processor Express Program.
Chip Bulletin #43: VSDC Applet Version 2.8.1G or Equivalent Strongly Recommended for Dual Interface Issuance	Licensed
Published: Dec-17 Visa strongly recommends the use of Visa Smart Debit/Credit 2.8.1G applet or an equivalent vendor proprietary applet with comparable functionality for any US dual interface issuance
Chip Bulletin #45: VSDC 2.9.1 Card Applet Available	Subscriber Only
The VSDC 2.9.1 card applet can now be provided to licensed card manufacturers on request.
Chip Bulletin #46: U.S. Processor Express Program: CVN 17 Removed From Processor Express Card Profiles	Licensed
Published: Apr-19 Effective immediately, cryptogram version number (CVN) 17 has been removed as an option for all Processor Express card profiles. U.S. Processors must now use the same cryptogram for both contact and contactless in their dual-interface cards to qualify for the Processor Express program. U.S. Processors are highly encouraged to use the CVN 18 cryptogram.
Chip Bulletin #47: Personalization Bureaus Must Reset ATR to Approved Values	Subscriber Only
Published: Apr-19 Reminder that the Answer to Reset (ATR) on EMV contact chip cards must be set to the EMVCo.-tested and approved value prior to card issuance to avoid interoperability problems
Chip Bulletin #48: Preparing for eight-digit BINS	Public
Published: Jan-21 Version: 48 Did you know that Bank Identification Numbers are changing. Tech Partners that use first 6 digits of Primary Account Number in these applications and services may experience several impacts if your systems are not able to handle the new 8 digit BIN format by April 2022. Learn more about potential impacts and what you should be doing now to prepare.
Chip Bulletin #49: Mapping of GP Broker CDCVM parameters to VBSS Biometric Application Data	Licensed
Published: Nov-22 Defines how the VSDC applet maps the values received from the GP Broker on Broker Event to the Biometric Application Data described in the Visa Biometric Sensor on Card Specification version 1.0.2 VBSS.
Chip Advisories
Chip Advisory #17: Visa payWave: PAN Sequence Number	Licensed
Published: Oct-10 Describes how the PAN Sequence Number (PSN) should be personalized on VCPS 2.1.x card applications to ensure inclusion of the PSN in VCPS 2.0.2 devices online and clearing messages.
Chip Advisory #19: "Dynamic Authentication" does not mean "DDA" (US Region)	Public
Published: Oct-11 Clarifies the distinction between Dynamic Authentication and DDA for US Region.
Chip Advisory #20: Visa Recommended Practices for EMV Chip Implementation in the U.S.	Public
Published: Jul-12 Recommended practices for issuers, acquirers, merchants, processors and vendors in the process of planning, adopting and implementing chip technology programs in the U.S.
Chip Advisory #22: Updated Policy - Chip Devices with Expired EMV Approvals	Public
Published: Feb-12 Updated policy: Addresses testing and deployment of devices with expired EMV approvals.

Approval Services Announcements
ASA20230901 - VSDC 2.9.2 CFS Applet Availability	Licensed
Published: Sep-23 Approval Services announces VSDC 2.9.2 CFS applet availability
ASA20230828 - LED Testing Process	Licensed
Published: Aug-23 Approval Services is introducing a new streamlined approach for certification testing of card products with LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes).
ASA20230705 - New Card Image Personalization for Archive Samples and QR Label Requirements	Licensed
Published: Jul-23 Effective October 05, 2023, all archive samples must be personalized and labeled according to the new card image personalization and QR code label requirements.
ASA20220926 - Tokenized Wearables Approval Expiration Date Policy Change	Licensed
Published: Sep-22 Visa is revising its policy for tokenized wearables with an embedded secure element.
ASA20220914 - Release of the Visa Cross Testing Automation Specification (VCAS) Validation Tool Version 1.3.0	Licensed
Published: Sep-22 Release of an updated Visa Cross Testing Automation Validation Tool (VCAS tool) package.
ASA20220822 - Announcing the sunset date for VMPA 1440	Licensed
Published: Aug-22 Approval Services announces VMPA 1.4.4.0 applet sunset
ASA20220615 - VIS 1.5.4c and VCPS 2.1.3c Test Plan Mandate for Chip Card Products	Licensed
Published: Jun-22 Effective August 1, 2022, Chip card products supporting VIS 1.5.4 and/or VCPS 2.1.3 specifications will be tested using the new Application Requirements Testing-based VIS 1.5.4c and VCPS 2.1.3c test plans.
ASA20220211 - VMPA 1444 Applet Availability	Licensed
Published: Feb-22 Approval Services announces VMPA 1.4.4.4 applet availability
ASA20211213 - Accessing Visa Digital Partner Services Website	Licensed
Published: Dec-21 Version: N/A Vendors can log in to Visa Digital Partner Services website to check your product status and download documents using two-factor authentication
ASA20211004 - Announcing availability of testing for Visa Biometric Sensor-on-Card Specification 1.0.2	Licensed
Published: Oct-21 Approval Services announces Visa Biometric Sensor-on-Card Specification 1.0.2 Testing Availability
ASA20210719 - Testing Availability for Visa Ready Tap to Phone Kernel Specification v1.1	Licensed
Published: Jul-21 Approval Services announces testing availability for Visa Ready Tap to Phone Kernel Specification Version 1.1
ASA20210701 - Contact Card Quadruple Speed Requirements EMV Specification Bulletin No. 218 Second Edition April 2020	Licensed
Published: Jul-21 Approval Services announces Contact Card Quadruple Speed Requirements
ASA20210416 - Biometric Sensor-on-Card Testing Availability	Licensed
Published: Apr-21 Approval Services announces testing availability for Biometric Sensor-on-Card (VBSS 1.0.1).
ASA20210301 - VCPS 2.2c Test Plan Mandate for Chip Acceptance Device Products	Licensed
Published: Mar-21 Approval Services announces the mandate for VCPS 2.2c Test Plan
ASA20210222 - Approval Services Newsletter	Licensed
Published: Feb-21 Focus on Vendor Engagement
ASA20201120 - Access to Visa Digital Partner Services and TAPS is Available Without a Visa Online Account	Licensed
Published: Nov-20 Vendors can log in to Visa Digital Partner Services and access their products in the TAPS system using two-factor authentication
ASA20201116 - Release of the Visa Contactless Transit Kernel Specification (VCTKS) Chip Acceptance Device Test Plan Version 1.1a	Licensed
Published: Nov-20 Version: 1.1a
ASA20200930 - Announcing availability of testing for Visa Prepaid Chip Specification 1.2	Licensed
Published: Sep-20 Approval Services announces Visa Prepaid Chip 1.2 Testing Availability
ASA20200921 - Approval Services Newsletter	Licensed
Published: Sep-20 COVID-19 Response - Supporting our employees, clients and communities
ASA20200817 - Announcing testing availability for Visa Ready Tap to Phone Kernel Specification	Licensed
Published: Aug-20 Approval Services announces the testing availability and approval process for the Visa Ready Tap to Phone Kernel Specification v1.0.
ASA20200721 - VSDC 2.9.2 Applet Availability	Licensed
Published: Jul-20 Approval Services announces the availability of the VSDC 2.9.2 applet
ASA20200603 - Announcing availability of testing for VIS 1.6.3, VCPS 2.2.4 and Multi-Access for VSDC 2.2	Licensed
Published: Jun-20 Approval Services announces VIS 1.6.3, VCPS 2.2.4 and Multi-Access for VSDC 2.2 Testing Availability
ASA20200415 - Multiple Contact Protocol Testing in a Single Card Approval	Licensed
Published: Apr-20 Approval Services announcement on multiple contact protocol testing in a single card approval.
ASA20200415 - Updates to the VCAS Validation Tool and FAQ	Licensed
Published: Apr-20 Approval Services announces the release of the Visa Cross Testing Automation Specification (VCAS) Validation Tool Version 1.2.0 and VCAS Validation Tool FAQ Version 1.3
ASA20200318 - Updates on Card Image Personalization for Performance and Cross Testing, and QR Code Label Requirements on Samples	Licensed
Published: Mar-20 Approval Services announces updates on card image personalization and QR code labelling for both performance and cross testing samples.
ASA20200117 - Card Interoperability Testing Enhancement Notification	Licensed
Published: Jan-20 Approval Services announces updates to Visa Approval Services' interoperability testing process.
ASA20191221 - Approval Services Newsletter	Licensed
Published: Dec-19 Global Platform Anniversary
ASA20191202 - Release of the Visa Contactless Transit Kernel Specification (VCTKS) Chip Acceptance Device Test Plan Version 1.0.2a	Licensed
Published: Dec-19 Approval Services announces the release of the Visa Contactless Transit Kernel Specification (VCTKS) Test Plan
ASA20191113 - Secure Element Lifecycle Management Policy Update	Licensed
Published: Nov-19 Approval Services announces updates to the Secure Element Lifecycle Management Policy
ASA20190911 - Approval Services Newsletter	Licensed
Published: Sep-19 Focus on Vendor Engagement
ASA20190830 - Release of the VCPS 2.2c Chip Acceptance Device Test Plan	Licensed
Published: Aug-19 Approval Services announces the release of the VCPS 2.2c Chip Acceptance Device Test Plan
ASA20190722 - Microsoft Windows 10 SDK Host Simulator Software for Chip Acceptance Device Testing	Licensed
Published: Jul-19 Approval Services announces the acceptance of Windows 10 SDKs and Host Simulators for Device Testing
ASA20190424 - Announcing the Release of Visa Cross Testing Automation (VCAS) Validation Tool Version 1.1.1 and VCAS Tool FAQ	Licensed
Published: Apr-19 Approval Services announces the availability of an updated version of Visa Cross Testing Automation Specification (VCAS) Validation Tool and VCAS Validation Tool FAQ.
ASA20190308 - Updates on the Chip Card Questionnaire, Exhibit A Request for Testing, and Single Batch Confirmation Form	Licensed
Published: Mar-19 Approval Services announces updates to Chip Card Questionnaire and Exhibit A Request for Testing forms and the release of the Single Batch Confirmation Form.
ASA20190219-1 - VIS 162a Card Test Plan Release and Testing Availability	Licensed
Published: Feb-19 Approval Services releases VIS 1.6.2a Test Plan.
ASA20190219-2 - VCPS 223a - Card Test Plan Release and Testing Availability	Licensed
Published: Feb-19 Approval Services releases VCPS 2.2.3a Card Test Plan.
ASA20190219-3 - Multi-Access 21b - Card Test Plan Release and Testing Availability	Licensed
Published: Feb-19 Approval Services releases Multi-Access 2.1b Card Test Plan.
ASA20190115 - Updates to the SDK Interface Guideline and VCAS Verifier Tool	Licensed
Published: Jan-19 Approval Services announces the Release of SDK Interface Standardization Guidelines for Automated Device Cross Testing Version 1.6 and Visa Cross Testing Automation (VCAS) Validation Tool Version 1.1.0
ASA20181030 - VSDC 2.8.1G and 2.8.1G1 Applets FAQ	Licensed
Published: Oct-18 Approval Services releases an FAQ for the VSDC 2.8.1G and 2.8.1G1 Applets
ASA20181029-1 - Release of the Visa Biometric Card Specification 2.0a R01 Test Plan Package	Licensed
Published: Oct-18 Approval Services announces the release of the Visa Biometric Card Specification 2.0a R01 Test Plan Package
ASA20181029-2 - Release of the VMCPS 144a R01 Test Plan Package and Broker Test Plan v1.0 R01 Package	Licensed
Published: Oct-18 Approval Services announces the release of the VMCPS 144a R01 Test Plan Package and Broker Test Plan v1.0 R01 Package.
ASA20181023 - Changes to the Number of Card Samples Submitted for Cross Testing	Licensed
Published: Oct-18 Approval Services announces changes to the Number of Card Samples Submitted for Cross Testing
ASA20181019 - Chip Card Acceptance Device Renewal Policy Changes	Licensed
Published: Oct-18 Approval Services announces updates to its renewal policy for chip card acceptance devices.
ASA20180730 - VCPS Contactless Interference Testing for Devices	Licensed
Published: Jul-18 Approval Services clarifies test evaluation criteria based on the requirements stated in the Visa Chip Approval Note released on October 2016.
Updates to ASA20171009 Checksum Implementation Guidelines for the Visa Application Kernel Module in Chip Acceptance Devices	Licensed
Published: Jan-18 Version: 1.0 Approval Services announces updates to existing ASA20171009 Checksum Implementation Guidelines for Visa Application Kernel and changes to the effectivity dates.
ASA20180108 - Automated Device Interoperability Testing (Cross Testing) Process Mandate for Chip Acceptance Device Products	Licensed
Published: Jan-18 Approval Services announces the mandate of automated device interoperability testing for Chip Acceptance Device Products
ASA20171218 - Notice To Accredited Laboratories Re: Services Provided From Non-Accredited Sites	Licensed
Published: Dec-17 All Visa Recognized Laboratories may promote their services from Visa-accredited sites only.
ASA20171009 Checksum Implementation Guidelines for Visa Application Kernel v1.0	Licensed
Published: Oct-17 Version: 1.0 Approval Services announces the Checksum Implementation Guidelines for Chip Acceptance Device testing and approval submissions.
ASA20170920 - Approval Services Newsletter	Licensed
Published: Sep-17 Focus on Vendor Engagement
ASA20160715 - Reduced Sample Testing for GlobalPlatform Cards	Licensed
Published: Jul-16 Introduces Reduced Sample testing approach for GlobalPlatform chip card products supporting VIS 1.6 UL1 and VCPS 2.2.
ASA20150801 - Contactless Card Performance Requirements	Licensed
Published: Aug-15 Version: August 2015 Contactless performance requirements for contactless cards using a 1152 bit ICC key size.
ASA20180502 - SDK Interface Standardization Guidelines	Licensed
Published: May-18 Approval Services announces availability of an updated SDK Interface Standardization Guidelines for Automated Interoperability Testing
ASA20180502 - VCAS Device Submission Requirements	Licensed
Published: May-18 Approval Services announces updates to existing ASA20180108 Automated Device Interoperability Testing (Cross Testing) Process Mandate for Chip Acceptance Device Products
ASA20180502 - VCAS Validation Tool Release	Licensed
Published: May-18 Approval Services announces the availability of the Visa Cross Testing Automation Specification validation tool.
ASA20180515 - VTS Compatibility Requirements for Secure Elements	Licensed
Published: May-18 Visa Token Services (VTS) Compatibility Requirements for Secure Element Products.

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Bulletins and Announcements