How long does it take for pending transactions to clear?

Asked by: Jackson Shields V  |  Last update: September 21, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (20 votes)

Generally, pending transactions clear within one to five business days, but the exact timing depends on the type of transaction, the payment network, and the bank or credit card issuer.

How long can a transaction stay pending?

Pending charges on credit cards are temporary holds to ensure payment for potential damages or incidental expenses. Pending charges typically take up to three days to clear with the merchant, but can take longer. Issues with pending charges should be resolved with the merchant, not the card issuer.

Why do pending transactions take so long to clear?

That's because the retailer still needs to process and complete the payment. So, it may look like you've got more money to hand than you really do. To avoid confusion, banks often provide an 'available balance' or 'balance after pending transactions' too.

How long do pending payments take to disappear?

How long do pending transactions take to clear? Many pending charges disappear in around 5 days or less. Though some institutions may have a longer period. It ultimately depends on the type of transaction, the processor settings for the credit card program, and what's stated in your agreement.

How long do pending funds take to clear?

How long will a transaction remain in pending? Generally it takes about 3 to 5 business days to process a transaction, although it can take up to 10 business days or longer.

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How long does it take for money to go from pending to available?

Generally, it takes up to five business days for transactions to post. But in some cases, it can take up to 14 days. However, that time frame can depend on the payment network, bank or credit card issuer—and the type of transaction.

Does pending transaction mean it went through?

A pending transaction on your bank account means your bank is processing a purchase you made, a bill you paid, or a deposit that's heading your way, but it hasn't been completed yet. Either the payment hasn't been sent to the vendor yet or the incoming funds haven't cleared, although they are in process.

What time do pending transactions clear?

Pending transactions are payments that would normally go into or out of your account within 7 days. When you use a debit card to pay for something, it reduces the available balance in your current account. Similarly, when you use a credit card to pay for something, it increases your available balance.

Why is my payment still pending?

Pending transactions are transactions that haven't been fully processed yet. For example, if you make a purchase with a debit card or credit card, it will almost always show as pending immediately when you view your account online or in a mobile banking app.

Do pending transactions ever get Cancelled?

Unfortunately, canceling a pending transaction isn't always simple. If you're trying to remove a hold or a pending transaction before it posts, you'll need to contact the merchant and ask them to remove the authorization. Once your transaction is finalized, however, you have more power in reversing the charge.

Can a bank clear a pending transaction?

If the merchant agrees to cancel the charge, the pending transaction should eventually disappear from your account without posting. However, if the transaction posts before the cancellation is processed, you may need to file a dispute with your bank or credit card company to reverse the charge.

What time of day do pending transactions post?

Most transactions post at the end of each business day but posting order and times can vary. Business days for banks are generally Monday - Friday from 9am to 5pm, excluding federal holidays. Transactions received outside of these hours, including on weekends, are usually posted on the next business day.

Can I spend money that is pending?

Can I spend the money that's being held for a pending transaction? No, the funds are temporarily unavailable until the transaction clears. Spending them could result in overdrafts or declined transactions.

Why do some pending transactions take so long?

The time it takes pending transactions to clear can range from a few hours to several days or more, depending on factors including the merchant's processing time, weekends, holidays, and your credit card provider's policies.

Will pending transaction be declined?

A pending credit card purchase might be declined if another merchant has placed a hold on your credit card. A pending purchase made with your bank account or credit card could be declined if your account doesn't have enough funds or the merchant won't accept payment from your bank.

Do pending transactions go through on weekends?

Many transactions will show as pending over non-working days, meaning transactions may show as pending over weekends and holidays. Typical processing times for different transaction types are as follows: Cash and direct deposits are usually cleared by the following business day.

How long will a pending transaction stay?

A charge can be pending on your account for up to five days. There are several factors that affect how long a pending charge will appear on your credit card. These include when you made the transaction and how long it takes the merchant to process it. Card pre-authorizations may also show on your account for longer.

Does "pending" mean "approved"?

A pending sale means a seller has accepted a buyer's offer. Compare this to a contingent sale, which means the seller has accepted an offer with contingencies to resolve before finalizing the purchase.

How many days pending payment?

Generally, most pending payments are processed within 1–5 business days. Here's a breakdown by payment method: 1. Credit Cards: Most credit card transactions post within 3 business days, though some may take up to 5 business days.

Does "pending" mean it went through?

When a payment is marked as “pending” it means that the payment process still needs to be completed. In most cases, this simply means that you need to wait for this to happen.

Can a transaction be stopped while pending?

Yes. To cancel a pending credit card transaction before it's complete, start by calling the merchant directly. Ask the merchant or retailer to reverse the charge, cancel the sale or release the hold for the confirmed amount. The sooner you contact the merchant, the more likely the pending transaction can be canceled.

How long do pending withdrawals take?

It really depends on the platform or service you're using, but usually, a withdrawal pending review can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. Some services might approve or deny it within 24-48 hours, while others could take longer if they're experiencing a high volume of requests.

Do pending transactions already take money?

Essentially, pending transactions mean the money has been committed to a specific purchase, but it's still moving between accounts. Your account balance may or may not reflect the money spent in a pending transaction. You are still able to use your card normally while these payments process.

Does "pending" mean "waiting"?

The word pending comes from the French pendant, meaning “hanging.” If someone leaves you hanging, you are waiting for a call, a message, a visit — whatever the thing is that's supposed to happen.

Do pending transactions time out?

A pending transaction is a recent card transaction that has not yet been fully processed by the merchant. If the merchant doesn't take the funds from your account, in most cases it will drop back into the account after 7 days.