🌍 Merchant Country & Security Restrictions

🌍 Merchant Country & Security Restrictions

❓ What Are Merchant Country Restrictions?

Merchant Country Restrictions let you control where your card can be used, based on the merchant’s registered country. This is an added layer of security and policy control that helps ensure your card is only used in approved regions.

🔹 How It Works

  • When you make a purchase, SiFi checks the merchant’s country against your allowed/restricted list.

  • If the country is not allowed, the transaction is automatically declined.

InfoExamples

  • If you allow Saudi Arabia only, the card will only work with merchants registered in KSA.

  • If you allow UAE only, you can pay for UAE-based services like Careem UAE.

  • Some merchants may process transactions outside of where the service is provided:

    • Uber rides in Saudi or UAE often process through the Netherlands.

    • Meta (Facebook/Instagram) ads may process through Ireland.

⚠️ Always keep this in mind when setting country restrictions.

🔐 Security Restrictions

In addition to country restrictions, SiFi offers three main security restrictions you can enable:

  1. POS Restriction

    • Blocks in-store point of sale transactions (chip, swipe, tap).

    • Useful if you want a card used for online purchases only.

  2. E-Commerce Restriction

    • Blocks online transactions (websites, apps, digital platforms).

    • Useful if you want a card limited to physical purchases only.

  3. International Restriction

    • Blocks any transactions outside Saudi Arabia or those not charged in SAR (Saudi Riyal).

    • Useful if you want to ensure all spending stays local and in the local currency.

⚙️ How to Use Restrictions

  • You can limit a card to a single country (e.g., only Saudi Arabia).

  • Or you can block transactions from multiple countries (e.g., Philippines, India, or any high-risk regions).

  • Restrictions can be applied at the card level or budget level, depending on your company’s policy.

✅ Benefits

  • Prevents fraud and misuse in unapproved regions.

  • Enforces company policy automatically.

  • Gives admins flexibility to issue region-specific or purpose-specific cards (e.g., local-only card, online-only card).

💬 Need help setting up Merchant Country or Security Restrictions? Contact our support team at support@sifi.sa.



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