Learn how to get approved for a high-risk merchant account in 2025. Discover key steps, required documents, and how BridgeSwipe ensures fast, reliable approvals.
Why is it so hard for high-risk merchants to get approved?
Most traditional processors, such as PayPal, Stripe, and Square, have very low risk tolerances. They’ll either turn down your application right away or, even worse, approve you at first and then block your cash when they find out that your business strategy includes:
- More chargebacks.
- Products that are regulated (like CBD or adult).
- Large transactions.
- Recurring billing or digital items.
- Traffic that crosses borders or goes to other countries
Choose a high-risk payment gateway that was made to help businesses like yours from the start instead of wasting time and putting your account at risk of being shut down.
How to Do It Step by Step: How to Get a High-Risk Merchant Account Approved
1) Pick the Right Payment Partner (Hint: Not Every Gateway Will Work)
Not every payment gateway is the same. When you try to get a standard gateway to accept a high-risk organization, it often takes longer, gets denied, or has its assets blocked.
Begin with a gateway that works with high-risk fields, such as: • BridgeSwipe (CBD, adult, coaching, crypto, supplements, travel) • Others that need more vetting and volume history
BridgeSwipe was made from the bottom up for businesses that are high-risk, so you won’t have to disguise what you do or jump through hoops to obtain a response.
2) Get the Right Papers Ready
Incomplete or wrong paperwork is the main reason why the approval procedure takes so long. This is what you’ll usually need:
- An ID from the government.
- A voided business check or bank letter.
- An EIN (Employer Identification Number).
- Documents showing that your firm is registered.
- A working, active website with clear procedures on refunds and privacy.
- Proof of fulfillment or inventory (if you sell tangible goods).
Tip: Underwriters generally look at your website first. Make sure it looks professional, is safe (HTTPS), and is clear about how to get in touch and what the rules are.
3) Be Honest About How Your Business Works
If you don’t tell people important things about your business, including adult content, recurring billing, or restricted components, you will quickly be rejected or have your account closed.
Instead, use a gateway like BridgeSwipe that really works for your industry. Our underwriters look at risk based on what is likely to happen, not on old bank biases.
4) Talk about chargeback risks ahead of time
People generally don’t want to work with high-risk merchants because they think they will have trouble with chargebacks. Be proactive if you’ve had chargebacks in the past or work in a sector that is likely to have them:
- Use fraud filters.
- Make your refund policy explicit.
- Offer customer service 24/7.
- Give real-time updates on delivery and tracking.
- Make sure your product descriptions are clear about what to expect.
BridgeSwipe sends you real-time chargeback warnings and has extensive fraud detection technologies to help you keep disputes to a minimum and stay below the dreaded 1% chargeback threshold.
5) Follow the rules set by the industry
You have to follow local and global rules, especially in areas like CBD, crypto, adult, or health items.
BridgeSwipe helps your business stay up to date with:
- Tools for checking age.
- KYC/AML support.
- Clear policy compliance.
- Data security and PCI DSS standards.
Why BridgeSwipe Is the Best Option for Merchant Accounts with a Lot of Risk
In 2025, BridgeSwipe will make it easy to obtain approved for a high-risk merchant account. We offer fast approvals for supported high-risk industries, tailored underwriting based on real-world merchant models, seamless onboarding and integration support, fraud and chargeback management tools, no hidden fees, and clear rolling reserve terms.
We really know your sector and want to help you expand, not just look at your risk profile.
Final Thoughts: High Risk Doesn’t Mean No Approval
It is possible to get accepted for a high-risk merchant account in 2025; you simply need to do it the proper way:
- Be honest.
- Get your papers ready.
- Pick an expert with a lot of experience, like BridgeSwipe.
Take steps to decrease chargebacks ahead of time. Make sure your site and policies are clean and follow the rules.
Are you ready to get approved and start taking payments without worrying about being shut down?
Check out or set up your onboarding call now to learn how easy it can be to process high-risk payments with the right partner.