PayPal requires you to verify your card before you can use it to send money or make purchases

When you add a debit or credit card to PayPal, the platform does not charge you when ready. Instead, PayPal sends two small deposits — usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each — to your card's issuing bank within 1 to 2 business days. You then return to PayPal, enter those two amounts, and confirm you received them. This process is called verification, and it proves you own the card and have access to the account statements or online banking where those deposits appear.

Until you complete verification, your card is linked to PayPal but marked as unconfirmed. You cannot use it to pay for goods or services, send money to other people, or withdraw funds. The card sits inactive in your account. Verification typically takes 3 to 5 business days from the moment you add the card, though the exact timing depends on how quickly your bank processes the deposits and how soon you enter the amounts.

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal sends two small test deposits to your card; you must log in and enter both amounts to verify ownership.
  • Verification usually takes 3 to 5 business days, measured from when you add the card until you confirm the deposit amounts.
  • Your card remains inactive and unusable until verification is complete, even though it is linked to your account.
  • If deposits do not arrive within 5 business days, contact your card issuer to confirm the card is active and not flagged for fraud.
  • Some cards cannot be verified through this method; PayPal will tell you when ready if your card is not may be able to access.

The step-by-step verification process

Start by logging into your PayPal account on the web or in the app. Go to Wallet (on the app) or Account Settings (on the web), then select Add a Card. Enter your card number, expiration date, CVV, and the billing address associated with the card. PayPal will confirm the card is valid and tell you whether it can be verified through the deposit method.

Once the card is added, PayPal when ready sends the two test deposits. Check your card's online banking portal or call your card issuer's customer service line to see the deposit amounts. The deposits usually appear within 1 to 2 business days, though some banks take longer. Write down both amounts exactly as they appear — including any leading zeros or decimal places.

Return to PayPal, navigate back to your card in the Wallet or Account Settings, and look for a link or button that says Confirm or Verify This Card. Click it, then enter the two deposit amounts in the fields provided. PayPal will check them against the amounts it sent. If they match, your card is when ready verified and active.

What to do if the deposits do not arrive

If 5 business days have passed and you still do not see the two deposits, the problem usually lies with your card issuer, not PayPal. Some banks flag small deposits from unfamiliar sources as suspicious and hold them. Others may have flagged your card as inactive or at risk. Contact your card issuer's customer service number — printed on the back of your card — and tell them you are expecting two small deposits from PayPal.

Ask the issuer to confirm that your card is active, that it is not flagged for fraud, and that it can receive deposits from online payment platforms. If the card was recently issued or reissued, the issuer may need to set up it first through their own process before PayPal's deposits can go through. Once the issuer confirms the card is ready, the deposits usually arrive within 1 to 2 more business days.

If deposits still do not arrive after you have contacted the issuer, PayPal offers an alternative: you can verify your card using your bank account instead. Go back to your card in PayPal, select Verify Using Bank Account or a similar option, and follow the prompts to link your checking or savings account. PayPal will then send deposits to that account instead, and you can verify using those amounts.

Cards that cannot be verified through PayPal

PayPal cannot verify certain types of cards. Prepaid cards, gift cards, and virtual card numbers generated by some banks or privacy services often fail verification because PayPal cannot confirm they are tied to a real person or a permanent account. If PayPal rejects your card during the initial add step, it will display a message explaining why — usually something like "This card cannot be verified" or "This card type is not supported."

If your card is rejected, you have two options. First, try adding a different card — a standard debit card from your bank or a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) usually works. Second, link your bank account directly instead of a card. Bank account verification also uses the deposit method, but it works with nearly all U.S. checking and savings accounts.

How long your card stays active after verification

Once verified, your card remains active in PayPal indefinitely unless you remove it, your card issuer closes the account, or the card expires. If your card expires, PayPal will send you a notification asking you to update the expiration date. You do not need to re-verify; straightforward enter the new date and you can continue using the card.

If you replace your card — for example, because your issuer sent you a new one with a different number — you will need to add it to PayPal as a new card and verify it using the deposit method again. The old card will remain in your account but marked as expired, and you can delete it if you want.

Using your card after verification is complete

After verification, your card appears in your Wallet with a checkmark or "Verified" label. You can now use it to pay for purchases on PayPal, send money to other PayPal users, or withdraw funds to the card (if your card issuer supports this). When you make a purchase, you can select this card as your payment method at checkout.

PayPal may ask you to confirm large transactions or unusual activity by sending a code to your email or phone. This is a security measure and is normal. You do not need to re-verify your card each time you use it — verification is a one-time process per card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to wait for the deposits to arrive before I can use my card?

Yes. Your card cannot be used for any PayPal transaction until you have entered both deposit amounts and PayPal has confirmed them. The verification step is required before the card becomes active.

What if I enter the wrong deposit amounts?

PayPal will tell you the amounts do not match and ask you to try again. You have multiple attempts. If you are unsure of the amounts, log into your card issuer's online banking or call their customer service to confirm the exact figures.

Can I verify my card using a mobile app instead of a computer?

Yes. The PayPal app has the same Wallet and verification features as the website. You can add your card, wait for deposits, and enter the amounts all through the app.

Will PayPal charge me a fee to verify my card?

No. Verification is free. The two test deposits are not charges — they are returned to PayPal after you confirm the amounts, and you will not see them deducted from your account.

What happens to the test deposits after I verify?

PayPal reverses both deposits within a few business days. The money goes back to PayPal, not to your card. You will see them disappear from your account statement.