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Visa Test Tool Qualification Requirements for Reader Test Plans

Version 1.0 | Oct 2025

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Document Version History

Date Version Number Description
Oct 2025 1.0
  • First Release

Table of Contents

Introduction

This document outlines the Visa test tool qualification process for Reader Test Plans, detailing the requirements that test tool vendors must meet to achieve tool qualification.

Scope

This document applies to tool qualification for all Reader Test Plans, including but not limited to VCPS Reader, VCPS Reader Application Selection, VRTPKS, VCTKS and VTTCD Test Plans.

Audience

This document is intended for test tool vendors that are seeking Visa validation and accreditation for their test tools.

Using This Document

Notation Used

The terminology for requirements is as follows:

Reference Materials

Reference Document
TechReq Visa Test Tool Technical Requirements for Reader Test Plans Version 3.5 and above
VCPS Visa Contactless Payment Specification (VCPS), Version 2.2 and all published updates/bulletins
AppSelect VCPS Reader Application Selection Specification (App Select), Version 3.0 and all published updates/bulletins
VRTPKS Visa Ready Tap to Phone Kernel Specification (VRTPKS), Version 1.2.1 and all published updates/bulletins
VCTKS Visa Contactless Transit Kernel Specification (VCTKS), Version 1.1 and all published updates/bulletins
VTTCD Visa Tap to Consumer Device Specification (VTTCD), Version 1.1 and all published updates/bulletins
Digital Report Visa Digital Report Requirements, Version 1.0 and all published versions
EMV-CL EMV Contactless Specifications for Payment Systems, Version 2.11
  • Book A: Architecture and General Requirements
  • Book B: Entry Point Specification
  • Book C-3: Kernel 3 Specification
  • Book C-8: Kernel 8 Specification
  • Book E: Security and Key Management
EMV EMV Integrated Circuit Card Specifications for Payment Systems, Version 4.4,
  • Book 1: Application Independent ICC to Terminal Interface Requirements
  • Book 2: Security and Key Management
  • Book 3: Application Specification
  • Book 4: Cardholder, Attendant, and Acquirer Interface Requirements

Definitions and Acronyms

Acronym Definition
VLP Visa Log Parser
CTP Complete Test Plan (Execution)
RTP Resilience Test Plan (Execution)
VDPS Visa Digital Partner Services
VTF Visa Test Facility

Disclaimer

Visa does not warrant the fitness of any test tool for any purpose whatsoever, and expressly disclaims any and all warranties of merchantability, fitness for purposes, or non-infringement of third-party intellectual property rights. No vendor or other third party may refer to a product, service or facility as "Visa-approved", nor otherwise state or imply that Visa has, in whole or part, approved any aspect of a vendor or its products, services or facilities, except to the extent and subject to the terms and restrictions expressly set forth in a written agreement with Visa or in an approval letter provided by Visa. All other references to "Visa approval" are strictly prohibited by Visa.

1. Test Tool Qualification Process for Reader Test Plans

The purpose of this qualification process is to validate a test tool vendor's accurate implementation of the Visa Test Tool Technical Requirements for Reader Test Plans, as defined in the TechReq.

Diagram describing tool qualification process

Figure 1: Tool Qualification Process Overview

2. Pre-Qualification

Before submitting their tools to Visa for formal qualification, test tool vendors must complete all required pre-qualification steps.

To be considered qualification-ready, a tool must, at a minimum, successfully pass all pre-qualification tests as described in this section. Visa will provide all necessary pre-qualification materials to support this process.

Visa reserves the right to decline or delay actual tool qualification if any pre-qualification requirements are not fully met.

2.1 Pre-Qualification Materials

Visa will provide the following materials to all test tool vendors to assist their development and pre-qualification testing.

Table 1: Pre-Qualification Materials
No. Type Material Description
1 HTML Visa Test Tool Technical Requirements for Reader Test Plans Provides the rules and guidelines for interpreting and processing Test Plan materials to support test execution on reader products.

Tool qualification requires that all test tools fully comply with the requirements specified in this document.

(Contained in Test Plan Package for Test Tool Vendors)
2 HTML Visa Reader Specification Test Plan Companion Guide for Test Automation Provides test automation guidelines for product providers implementing solutions based on Visa Reader specifications. Test tool vendors may refer to this document to gain a comprehensive understanding of terminal configuration and product test automation context.

(Contained in Test Plan Package for Test Tool Vendors)
3 HTML Visa Digital Report Requirements Provides detailed guidelines for standardizing and automating the Visa Level 2 Type Approval test reporting processes.

It includes necessary steps to maintain consistency, accuracy, and efficiency in Visa Digital Report.

Tool qualification requires that all test tools fully comply with the requirements specified in this document.

(Contained in Test Plan Package for Test Tool Vendors)
4 HTML Visa Test Tool Qualification Requirements for Reader Test Plans This document (itself) outlines the Visa test tool qualification process for Reader Test Plans, detailing the requirements that test tool vendors must meet to achieve tool qualification.

(Contained in Test Plan Package for Test Tool Vendors)
5 HTML-XML Visa Test Plan Package(s) Test Plan(s) package containing all the test cases presented in HTML and XMLs for test tool consumption.
6 Software Visa TermSIM TermSIM is specifically designed to simulate a reader-terminal application in PC environment without a need of a physical reader-terminal and is fully compliant to Visa Reader specifications:

1. VCPS Reader
2. VCPS App Select
3. VRTPKS
4. VCTKS
5. VTTCD

Visa TermSIM supports these features to support tool qualification

1. Test Plan Mode - Supports Visa Reader Test Plans execution
2. Resilience Mode - Support Visa Reader Resilience Test Plans execution
3. Log Parser - Verify test tool filtering and execution logs
7 XML ICS XMLs ICS XMLs simulating Reader ICS feature combinations to facilitate validation of automated test plan filtering.

(Contained in Test Plan Package for Test Tool Vendors)

2.2 Pre-Qualification Testing

Pre-Qualification Testing involves 3 test runs with TermSIM, per Test Plan.

Table 2: Test Plan Execution Types
No. Test Execution VTF# Description
1. Complete Test Plan CTP Execute ALL test cases
2. Resilience Test Plan RTP Execute ALL Resilience test cases
3. ICS Test Filtering ICS Filtering of test cases based on ICS

Note:

  1. For Visa Reader Test Plans, test execution shall be executed by as needed when a test suite combination is supported. The test suite combinations are: a) VCPS Reader and VCPS App Select b) VRTPKS c) VCTKS d) VTTCD
  2. Replace VTF# with our specific CTP, RTP and ICS to differentiate the test reports
  3. Note that Manual test plan executions are not part of pre-qualification. For manual test plans, Visa will do in-house testing as deemed necessary.

2.2.1 Complete Test Plan Execution

This step involves executing all test cases defined in the test plan(s) using TermSIM.

Table 3: Complete Test Plan Execution Procedures
Steps Procedure
1 Select TermSIM Test Plan Mode
2 Run Complete Test Plan(s).
3 Save the logs and generate Report Package(s)
4 Rename the Report Package(s) Section 2.3.2.1
5 Select Log Parser Tool
6 Import Report Packages(s)
7 Select the Test Plan to verify Report Package
8 Select preferred output folder to save the results

2.2.2 Resilience Test Plan Execution

In this mode, TermSIM provides customized responses to simulate both positive and negative scenarios, enabling validation of the Test Tool's ability to handle alternate or exceptional test cases.

Table 4: Resilience Test Plan Execution Procedures
Steps Procedure
1 Select TermSIM Resilience Mode
2 Run Resilience test plan(s).
3 Save the logs and generate Report Package(s)
4 Rename the Report Package(s) Section 2.3.2.1
5 Select Log Parser Tool
6 Import Report Packages(s)
7 Select the Test Plan to verify Report Package
8 Select preferred output folder to save the results

2.2.3 ICS Test Filtering

This step involves the use of provided ICS XML(s) to filter all test cases in the test plan, leveraging TermSIM as the validation tool.

Table 5: ICS Test Filtering Execution Procedures
Steps Procedure
1 Generate a filtering report for each ICS XML in the test plan.
2 Package all ICS XML(s) and reports into a single zipped Report Package.
3 Rename the Report Package(s) Section 2.3.2.1
4 Select Test Filter
5 Import Report Packages(s)
6 Select preferred output folder to save the results

2.3 Pre-Qualification Test Execution Expected Outcome and Materials Submission

2.3.1 Expected Outcome - Pass

All results must be processed by the Log Parser Tool and produce an overall Pass outcome.

If this is not achieved, pre-qualification testing will be considered unsuccessful, and the test tool vendor is expected to investigate and resolve any issues.

Note: Every test case must be executed to completion, producing both a verdict and a log, including in situations where abnormal conditions occur outside of the expected responses. This ensures that both the Log Parser Tool and human reviewers can analyze the root causes of any abnormalities.

Any abnormality must result in a test case verdict of Fail and be clearly indicated in the logs, summary, and reports.

2.3.2 Pre-Qualification Report Package

The full pre-qualification report package (zip file) contains 2 major components:

  1. Report Package Section 2.3.2.1
  2. VLP Report Package Section 2.3.2.2

The pre-qualification report package shall be in a standard compressed format (.zip) and follow the naming convention: "{TestToolVendor}{VTF#}_{TestPlanName}.zip", where:

Diagram describing Qualification Report Package

Figure 2: Pre-Qualification Report Package
2.3.2.1 Report Package

The report package shall be generated by the test tools upon a complete test session. The report package shall include the following:

  1. Report Summary: Refer to [Digital Report] Section 2.1 Report Summary Format
  2. Logs folder: Refer to [Digital Report] Section 2.2 Transaction Log Format
  3. ICS file: Refer to [Digital Report] Section 2.3 Digital ICS Format

Note: For easy reference, ICS XML filenames in the test plan package are shortened. Digital ICS in test plan package will use ICS_{VTF#}.xml convention, where VTF# is the test plan acronyms and 2 digit running number. For example, ICS_VCPS01.xml, ICS_VCPS02.xml, etc.

The report package shall be in a standard compressed format (.zip) and follow the naming convention: "Report_{VTF#}_{TestPlanName}_{Timestamp}.zip", where:

Report package name shall be compliant to the naming convention specified in [Digital Report] Req 1.5 Test tool generated report package.

Compliance to the report package naming convention is critical for Log Parser.

Table 6: Report Package Naming Convention
Test Execution VTF# Example Notes
Complete Test Plan CTP Report_CTP_VCPS_Reader_Test_Plan_v2_2e_Build_250930_202509301525.zip No ICS XML
Resilience Test Plan RTP Report_RTP_VCPS_Reader_Test_Plan_v2_2e_Build_250930_202509301525.zip No ICS XML
ICS Test Filtering ICS Report_ICS_VCPS_Reader_Test_Plan_v2_2e_Build_250930_202509301525.zip Include the provided ICS XML(s)

Note: When importing the reports to Log Parser, it will check the existence of ICS in the packages for ICS Report Package

2.3.2.2 VLP Report Package

VLP Report Package shall include the following:

  1. Report Excel File: Test Results Summary in Excel
  2. Report Text File: Detailed Test Results
  3. Report HTML Folder: Test Results Summary in HTML

This report is auto-generated by TermSIM Log Parser Tool.

The generated VLP Report file follows the naming convention: "VLP_Report_{VTF#}_{TestPlanName}_{Timestamp}.zip", where:

Table 7: VLP Report Package Naming Convention
VLP Validation VTF# Example
Complete Test Plan CTP VLP_Report_CTP_VCPS_Reader_Test_Plan_v2_2e_Build_250930_202509301525.zip
Resilience Test Plan RTP VLP_Report_RTP_VCPS_Reader_Test_Plan_v2_2e_Build_250930_202509301525.zip
ICS Test Filtering ICS VLP_Report_ICS_VCPS_Reader_Test_Plan_v2_2e_Build_250930_202509301525.zip

2.3.3 Pre-Qualification Results Submission

The following materials are to be submitted to Visa Digital Partner Services (VDPS).

  1. Complete Test Plan (CTP) Pre-Qualification Report Package for each Test Plan
  2. Resilience Test Plan (RTP) Pre-Qualification Report Package for each Test Plan
  3. ICS Test Filtering (ICS) Pre-Qualification Report Package for each Test Plan

Note: Every Test Plan would require 3 Pre-Qualification Report Packages.

3. Tool Qualification Pre-Requisites

Once the test tool is qualification ready, test tool vendors can now provide all the software and hardware to Visa for formal tool qualification.

3.1 Software Deliverables Required by Visa

Qualification-ready version of the test tool shall be provided to Visa with the following requirements:

  1. Support Windows 11 Operating System.

  2. Provide online means for Visa to download the software (and updates). Visa will use the same means to obtain updated software due to bug fixes. If this is not possible, ship via physical means e.g., USB.

  3. Provide 2 (two) Software Licenses (without charge) to facilitate setting up multiple test machines to expedite qualification testing. If licenses are physical USB dongles, ship them together with the hardware.

  4. Provide perpetual license (i.e., no expiry dates) to allow future regression testing as deemed necessary by Visa.

  5. Provide all documentation e.g., User Manuals, Installation Instructions, etc.

The test tool vendor shall provide the name and unique version of the tool. This information will be used later and publish in the Visa Digital Partner Services (VDPS).

3.2 Hardware Deliverables Required by Visa

  1. Provide Contact/Contactless Smart Card Emulator or physical cards required for executing Visa Reader Test Plans (identical to product offering to clients)

  2. Provide means to update firmware (as advised by test tool vendors).

  3. Provide new hardware to Visa if it is no longer operational e.g., hardware obsolete, faulty, etc

3.3 Shipping Details

Test tool vendors are expected to ship/courier all hardware to Visa Singapore to the address specified below.

All courier and tax charges shall be borne by the sender.

Attention to: Cheah Sin Tan

Visa Worldwide Pte Ltd

10 Eunos Road 8 #10-01
Singapore Post Centre
408600 Singapore

Email: L2ToolsSupport@visa.com

Contact: +65 6579 3548

3.4 Schedule and Communications

The tool qualification process is a first come-first serve basis and is subject to Visa’s resource availability. Once the tool is ready for qualification, Visa (L2ToolsSupport@visa.com) will inform the test tool vendors of the estimated timeline and will receive timely updates.

Timelines are subject to change at Visa's discretion. Test tool vendors are expected to make themselves available and provide full support to Visa throughout the entire tool qualification process.

3.5 Qualification Execution and Analysis

3.5.1 Qualification Tests

It is important to note that the tool qualification does not only consist of the pre-qualification testing, that are required by the test tool vendors and it must not be assumed that their tool is qualified based on successful pre-qualification results.

In addition to the pre-qualification testing, Visa has also defined additional tests for qualification testing, and these tests will be updated frequently at Visa’s discretion and will not be distributed to test tool vendors.

3.5.2 Test Execution

The tool qualification process is expecting a tool to be qualification ready. It is not meant to be used for troubleshooting/debugging purposes when implementing Visa’s requirements. Visa reserves the right to terminate the qualification session if the tool is not qualification ready.

3.5.3 Execution/Analysis

A tool qualification session is required to demonstrate that the requirements defined in [TechReq] and [DigitalReports] have been correctly implemented. Visa shall perform all the test procedures and test cases that apply to a specific version of the submitted tool.

The applicable test procedures (indicative) performed by Visa (and test tool vendors) are determined as follows:

Table 8: Test Execution for Visa and Test Tool Vendors
If Test Tool Vendor Visa
First qualification of a new Test Plan: Complete and submit all pre-qualification requirements Full
Updates from an existing Test Plan (new specification bulletins) Complete and submit all pre-qualification requirements Full*
Minor updates from an existing Test Plan (maintainence) Complete and submit all pre-qualification requirements Full/Selective*

Note: Visa reserves the right to determine scope of the testing depending on the extent of the changes, especially on the test plan and specifications

The results of the tool qualification session are determined as follows:

Table 9: Test Execution Results
If Test Tool Vendor
Qualification results in a PASS: Visa shall report the success of the test tool qualification to the test tool vendor and proceed with the next steps described in the next section.
Qualification results in a FAIL: Visa shall report the failure(s) (i.e., the requirement(s) that is/are not met) to the test tool vendor.

The test tool vendor shall send Visa a new qualification-ready version of the tool including the necessary updates to address the failure(s) shared in the report. The new version number shall also be communicated to Visa.

Visa will then perform another iteration.

3.6 Qualification Results and Reporting

3.6.1 Test Results

Visa will communicate the test results after full testing is completed (or sooner if there are blockage points).

Test tool vendors will rectify and provide an updated tool to Visa to resume full or regression testing.

3.6.2 Successful Qualification Outcome

Once Visa is satisfied that all applicable requirements have been met, the qualified tool will be published in VDPS. The document will include the following information:

3.6.3 Re-qualification Steps

If re-qualification of a previously qualified tool becomes necessary, test tool vendor will need to follow most of the process steps that were described above. The new version number shall be communicated to Visa.

4 Post Qualification Activities

This section provides details for test tool vendors after the qualification process was completed.

4.1 Tool Distribution

Once Visa has granted qualification, the test tool vendor is free to distribute the new release to clients, and other users.

4.2 Vendor Changes To A Qualified Tool

If a test tool vendor intends to make changes to their existing qualified tool, then they are required to notify Visa of these planned changes. test tool vendor shall send documentation/release notes explaining the changes/updates to Visa.

This notification and documentation will allow Visa to determine the changes or updates proposed on the tool will impact the execution of its testing capability. Visa may require re-qualification of the tool in order to preserve the integrity of its capability.

The process by which Visa determines whether re-qualification is required, and if so, the level of testing that needs to be performed will be dependent on the type of change or update made to the tool.

Changes may either be categorized as:

Table 10: Tool Changes Severity Classification
Category Description Re-qualification Required
Minor Not impacting functionality of any of the Visa Test Plan. For example: UI changes, hardware change, etc. No
Major Impacting functionality of Test Plan/Cases. For example: Test Case update Yes

If a change is considered to be minor, the timing of implementing that change and subsequently deploying to their clients is at the discretion of the test tool vendor. However, they must still inform Visa of this deployment.

Note: Visa reserves the right to require a test tool vendor to re-qualify their tool if a compliance issue is identified in the field.

4.3 Quality Assurance

The test tool vendor is expected to have software version control and documented procedures, to ensure a high quality of development, maintenance, and upgrades.

The test tool, including the hardware, software, and other peripherals, is the responsibility of the test tool vendor.

With each modification (i.e., minor or major) made to the tool, the corresponding version number shall be incremented. For minor modifications, it is also expected that the necessary QA process are put in place to test the modifications and perform regression testing.

4.4 Vendor Ceasing To Offer Their Tool

If a test tool vendor decides to cease offering their tool that has already been qualified by Visa, they must send written notification to Visa requesting removal of that tool from Visa’s list of qualified tools.

In response to such a request, Visa will update VDPS, removing the test tool from that list.