How to Get a High-Risk Merchant Account at HighRiskPay

Introduction

Running a business is challenging enough, but if your company operates in a “high-risk” industry, it can be even harder to secure reliable payment processing. Many banks and traditional processors will turn you away due to industry regulations, high chargeback ratios, or credit issues. That’s where HighRiskPay comes in.

HighRiskPay specializes in providing high-risk merchant accounts—payment solutions designed for businesses that would otherwise struggle to get approved. With claims of a 99% approval rate, fast 24-48 hour approvals, no setup or application fees, and support for industries often considered “too risky,” it has become one of the leading providers in this space.

This guide will explain what a high-risk merchant account is, why businesses need it, what HighRiskPay offers, how to apply step by step, what fees to expect, and how to prepare your business for success.

What is a High-Risk Merchant Account?

A high-risk merchant account is a type of payment processing account designed for businesses that banks and traditional processors consider riskier than average.

Businesses may be labeled “high risk” if they:

Operate in industries with regulatory scrutiny (e.g., CBD, adult, travel, nutraceuticals).
Have high chargeback or refund rates.
Sell expensive or intangible items like coaching programs, memberships, or tickets.
Serve international customers or high-fraud regions.
Have poor or limited credit history.

High-risk merchant accounts let these businesses accept credit cards, debit cards, and ACH/eCheck payments. In exchange, the provider may require stricter compliance, more documentation, or slightly higher fees.

HighRiskPay exists to serve this exact market by offering flexible terms and higher approval chances compared to traditional banks.

Why HighRiskPay?

HighRiskPay has built its reputation on being one of the most accessible providers for high-risk merchants. Here are the main reasons business owners turn to them:

99% approval rate: Almost all applicants are approved, even those with bad credit.
Fast approvals: Accounts are typically set up within 24-48 hours.
No upfront costs: No setup or application fees.
Industry coverage: They support many industries that are often rejected elsewhere, such as adult content, CBD, nutraceuticals, MLM, subscription services, and travel.
Flexible options: Works with eCommerce, brick-and-mortar, mobile, and subscription businesses.
Fraud and chargeback tools: Extra protection for businesses that face higher risk.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a HighRiskPay Merchant Account

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the application process:

1. Check if you’re “high risk”

Identify whether your business fits the profile: high chargebacks, regulated industry, bad credit, or international exposure. If so, a high-risk merchant account is the right path.

2. Gather required documents

Have these ready before you apply:

Government-issued ID.
Proof of address.
Business license or incorporation documents.
Bank account details.
Website with clear refund/return policies and terms.
Previous payment processing statements (if applicable).

3. Complete the online application

Visit HighRiskPay’s site and fill out the initial form with your business details, industry, and contact information.

4. Submit detailed business information

Provide sales volume estimates, product/service descriptions, and financial history. The more accurate you are, the faster the process.

5. Underwriting and review

The HighRiskPay team reviews your application. They may ask for clarifications or more documentation. This usually takes 24-48 hours.

6. Sign and finalize agreement

Once approved, you’ll receive an agreement. Review the terms carefully before signing.

7. Onboarding and integration

Set up your payment gateway, configure website or POS systems, and test transactions to ensure smooth processing.

8. Start accepting payments

Once everything is in place, you’re ready to process customer transactions.

Fees and Terms You Should Expect

Even though HighRiskPay offers competitive rates, high-risk accounts always come with costs you need to understand:

Transaction fees: Around 2.95% per transaction for high-risk merchants, with lower rates (1.79%–2.19%) for less risky businesses.
Fixed per-transaction fee: Often around $0.25 or more.
Monthly fees: Starting around $9.95.
No setup/application fees: You don’t pay to apply.
Funding times: Next-day funding for many businesses.
Contracts: Marketed as “no contract,” but always read the fine print.

Benefits of HighRiskPay

Accessibility – Approvals for businesses that would otherwise be rejected.
Speed – Get approved in 1–2 business days.
Flexibility – Works with both online and offline businesses.
Transparency – Simple monthly fees, no hidden setup charges.
Support for growth – Fraud prevention and chargeback tools that help protect your revenue.

Potential Drawbacks

Higher transaction fees compared to low-risk processors.
Businesses must stay compliant with industry regulations or risk account closure.
Chargebacks remain a threat; merchants must actively manage them.
While advertised as “no contract,” terms should still be read carefully.

How to Prepare for Success

To make sure your high-risk account works smoothly, follow these best practices:

Maintain a professional website with clear refund, shipping, and privacy policies.
Keep chargebacks below 1% by responding quickly to disputes.
Use fraud tools to detect suspicious transactions.
Be transparent about your products or services.
Maintain accurate records of transactions and customer communication.

Why HighRiskPay Can Be a Strong Choice

For businesses that have struggled to find payment processing, HighRiskPay offers a second chance. Its high approval rate, quick onboarding, and lack of upfront fees make it appealing.

The company has positioned itself as a specialist in high-risk industries, providing tools and flexibility that mainstream processors simply won’t offer. While fees may be slightly higher, the ability to actually process payments—and do so reliably—is often worth it for high-risk merchants.

Conclusion

Getting approved for a merchant account is one of the biggest challenges for high-risk businesses. Without the ability to accept credit cards, debit cards, or eChecks, you can’t grow—or even survive—in today’s economy. HighRiskPay provides a practical solution for businesses in industries that banks usually avoid.

With a high approval rate, fast processing times, and support for companies with bad credit, HighRiskPay removes the usual barriers to payment processing. Yes, the fees may be slightly higher than traditional accounts, and you’ll need to stay on top of chargebacks and compliance, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks for most high-risk merchants.

If your business has struggled to secure payment processing, applying with HighRiskPay could be the key to unlocking growth. By preparing the right documents, maintaining transparency, and following best practices, you’ll be well positioned to succeed with a high-risk merchant account.

FAQs

1. What makes a business high risk?
Businesses are labeled high risk if they face frequent chargebacks, operate in regulated industries like CBD or adult, sell high-ticket or subscription products, or have poor credit history.

2. How long does HighRiskPay take to approve an account?
Most applications are reviewed and approved within 24-48 hours, provided all documents are submitted correctly.

3. Can I get approved with bad credit?
Yes. HighRiskPay is known for approving businesses even with poor or limited credit history.

4. Are there setup or application fees?
No. HighRiskPay does not charge for applying or setting up your account.

5. What fees should I expect?
High-risk merchants typically pay around 2.95% per transaction, plus a small fixed fee and a monthly fee starting at $9.95.