You requested a refund.
You expected it within a few days.
But nothing arrived.
Not this week.
Sometimes not even this month.
The delay feels excessive.
It feels like the refund is stuck.
International refunds follow a much longer settlement process.
Why Overseas Refunds Take Longer
- Cross-border payment network processing
- Currency conversion reversal
- Foreign bank settlement timelines
- Intermediary clearing institutions
Each layer adds additional processing days.
Typical International Refund Timeline
- Merchant processing: 3–7 business days
- Card network settlement: 5–10 business days
- Issuing bank posting: 3–5 business days
Total delays can reach 15–30 business days.
Factors That Extend Refund Delays
- Exchange rate recalculation reviews
- Fraud screening on cross-border reversals
- Weekend or public holiday overlaps
- International compliance checks
Security reviews often slow international reversals.
When to Contact Support or Your Bank
- If 30 business days have passed
- If merchant confirms refund completion
- If no pending credit appears on your card
Request an ARN (Acquirer Reference Number) to trace the refund.
International refunds move slowly — but remain traceable.