You completed the payment.
The confirmation screen appeared.
But the status doesn’t change.
It stays on “Pending Approval.”
No receipt.
No full access.
Just waiting.
This usually means the payment is under manual or automated review.
What “Pending Approval” Actually Means
- The bank authorized the charge but hasn’t finalized settlement
- The payment gateway flagged the transaction for review
- Fraud or risk screening is still in progress
- Additional verification may be required
This step happens before the payment becomes fully completed.
Why Approval Reviews Cause Delays
- High-value or unusual transactions trigger checks
- International payments require extra validation
- New accounts or first-time payments get screened
- VPN, IP mismatch, or device changes raise flags
Until the review clears, the payment remains pending.
How Long Approval Usually Takes
- Minutes to a few hours (most common)
- Up to 24–72 hours for flagged payments
- Longer during weekends or bank holidays
The charge may appear on your card before approval finishes.
What You Should Do
- Wait for the review window to finish
- Avoid retrying the payment immediately
- Check email for verification requests
- Contact support only if the delay exceeds 72 hours
“Pending Approval” is a review delay — not a failed payment.