The EMV QR Code Specifications standardize how QR codes carry payment data, so one code at checkout can support a range of card and account-based payment options. They define two modes: Merchant-Presented Mode, where the consumer scans the merchant’s code, and Consumer-Presented Mode, where the merchant scans a code shown on the consumer’s phone.
EMV QR Codes
EMV QR Codes bring structure to QR payments, which spread fast and in incompatible forms. The specifications define a common template for what a payment QR code contains, so the same code can route to many payment schemes.
- Merchant-Presented Mode - The merchant displays a code (often static, on a counter sign); the consumer scans it and pays from their app.
- Consumer-Presented Mode - The consumer’s app displays a code the merchant scans, like a card presented on a screen.
- One code, many schemes - A standard payload lets a single QR code carry multiple payment options.
Many national instant-payment QR schemes are built on the EMV merchant-presented format, which makes it one of the more quietly influential EMV specifications for account-to-account payments.
Industry: Payments
Related standards
Standards this one builds on, supersedes, profiles or is commonly deployed beside.
EMV
The specification family.
EMV Mobile
The other phone-at-checkout EMV technology.
