Service

Scheme Membership Consulting

Visa Associate and Mastercard Affiliate applications, BIN sponsorship structuring, and scheme rule compliance — from first enquiry to first transaction.

What We Do

From applicant to active member

Scheme membership is a prerequisite for any card programme — but the application process is dense with operating regulation requirements, technical connectivity mandates, and sponsorship structuring that trips up most first-time applicants. We've guided banks and fintechs through both Visa and Mastercard membership applications across EMEA and APAC, and we know exactly what each scheme desk looks for.

We work on both direct membership (principal/associate/affiliate) and BIN sponsorship arrangements, advising on which structure best fits your volume, geography, and risk appetite.

Visa

  • Principal, Associate, and Affiliate member applications
  • VisaNet connectivity and BIN range allocation
  • Visa Operating Regulations (VOR) gap assessment
  • VTIP issuer testing pre-membership
  • Visa Ready programme qualification

Mastercard

  • Principal, Affiliate, and Licensed member applications
  • MIPS connectivity and BIN sponsorship agreements
  • Mastercard Rules compliance readiness review
  • MIP certification prerequisites and CDET preparation
  • Mastercard Engage partner qualification

Our Process

Six phases to active membership

01

Membership Structure Review

Direct vs sponsored BIN. Principal vs associate vs affiliate. We define the optimal legal and commercial structure before any application is submitted.

02

Eligibility & Gap Assessment

Audit against the scheme's current membership criteria — capital requirements, data security, technical connectivity, and operational capabilities.

03

Application Preparation

Draft and review all scheme application documents, legal agreements, and supporting evidence packs. We know what the membership desk needs.

04

Technical Readiness

VisaNet/MIPS connectivity planning, BIN range allocation, HSM and key management requirements, and scheme testing environment access.

05

Scheme Certification

VTIP/MIP issuer testing, ADVT/CDET terminal certification, and any scheme-mandated security assessments (PCI DSS, PIN management).

06

Go-Live & Operational Handover

First transaction monitoring, incident escalation paths, settlement reporting setup, and scheme rule obligations calendar.

Ready to Apply?

Start your scheme membership the right way.

Book a scoping call. We'll identify the right membership structure and give you a clear path to your first authorised transaction.

Book a Consultation Testing & Certification →