When Will I Receive My Stripe Payment?

Understanding when you'll receive your fundraising payments is crucial for planning and managing your campaign. This guide explains the Stripe payout timeline for New Zealand fundraisers.

Standard Payout Schedule for New Zealand

For established Stripe accounts in New Zealand, payouts follow a regular schedule:

• Standard Processing Time: 4 business days after a payment is received
• Business Days: Monday through Friday, excluding New Zealand public holidays
• Automatic Transfer: Funds are automatically deposited into your linked bank account

Example: If a supporter makes a donation on Monday, you can typically expect to see those funds in your bank account by Friday of the same week (assuming no public holidays).

Your First Payout: What to Expect

If you're waiting for your very first Stripe payout, there's an important waiting period you need to know about.

Initial Waiting Period (7–14 Days)

All Stripe accounts have a mandatory 7–14 day waiting period for the first payout. This delay:

• Is required by Stripe for risk mitigation and fraud prevention
• Cannot be waived under any circumstances
• Starts from when you first receive a payment through Stripe
• Is separate from the standard 4-day processing time

Why the delay? This waiting period helps Stripe verify new accounts and protect against fraudulent activity. While it may feel frustrating, it's a one-time security measure that helps keep the platform safe for everyone.

Important: Any changes you make to your payout method or schedule during this waiting period will only take effect after the initial period has ended.

After Your First Payout

Once you've received your first payout successfully, all subsequent payouts will follow the standard 4 business day schedule. There won't be any additional waiting periods.

Ensuring Your Account Can Receive Payouts

Before Stripe can send you any money, your account must be fully set up with all required business information. This is the most common reason for payout delays.

Check Your Payment Setup Status

Visit your Payment Setup page to check if Stripe needs any additional information from you.

Common Requirements

You may need to provide or confirm:

1. Email Address Verification

   • Stripe will send you a confirmation email
   • You must click the verification link to confirm your email
   • This ensures you receive important payout notifications

2. Business Information

   • Legal business name or your full name (for individuals)
   • Business address or residential address
   • Tax identification number (IRD number in New Zealand)
   • Date of birth (for identity verification)
   • Bank account details for receiving payouts

3. Identity Verification

   • In some cases, Stripe may request additional documentation
   • This could include photo ID or proof of address
   • Check your email and Stripe dashboard for specific requests

Action Required Notifications

If Stripe needs information, you'll see warning messages in your payment settings. Common alerts include:

• "Confirm your email address" - Check your inbox for a verification email from Stripe
• "Update your business information" - Click "Update" to provide missing details
• "Action required to resume processing payments and payouts" - Your account is on hold until you complete setup

Critical: Until you provide all required information, Stripe cannot process payouts. Your funds will be held securely but cannot be transferred to your bank account.

Troubleshooting Payout Delays

If You Haven't Received Your First Payout

1. Check the timeline: Count 7–14 business days from your first payment received (not from campaign launch)
2. Verify account setup: Visit Payment Setup and resolve any pending actions
3. Check your email: Look for messages from Stripe requesting additional information
4. Confirm bank details: Ensure your linked bank account number is correct

If Subsequent Payouts Are Delayed

1. Account for business days: Remember that weekends and public holidays don't count as business days
2. Check for holds: Visit your payment settings to see if Stripe has flagged any issues
3. Verify bank account: Contact your bank to confirm there are no issues receiving deposits
4. Review account status: Check if Stripe has requested updated information

Bank Processing Times

After Stripe sends the payout, your bank may take additional time to make the funds available in your account:

• Most New Zealand banks process deposits within 1 business day
• Some banks may hold or delay deposits for their own verification
• Check with your bank if funds appear to be delayed on their end

Viewing Your Payout Schedule

You can view your estimated payout schedule and transaction history:

1. Go to Payment Setup
2. Click "Show Payments Data" to view detailed transaction information
3. Or click "here" in the payment setup section to access your full Stripe dashboard

The Stripe dashboard shows:

• Pending payouts and their expected arrival dates
• Completed payout history
• Individual transaction details
• Any holds or issues requiring attention

Need More Help?

If you've:

• Provided all required information
• Waited beyond the expected timeframe
• Checked your bank account status
• Still haven't received your payout

Please contact our support team with:

• Your fundraiser name
• The approximate date of the first payment
• Any error messages you've seen
• Confirmation that you've completed all Stripe requirements

Our team can help investigate and liaise with Stripe on your behalf if needed.

Key Takeaways

• Standard payouts: 4 business days in New Zealand
• First payout: Allow 7–14 days for the initial waiting period
• Most common issue: Missing business information in Stripe setup
• Check regularly: Visit Payment Setup to stay on top of requirements
• Verify your email: Always confirm your email address with Stripe
• Be patient: The first payout takes longer, but after that, it's smooth sailing

By keeping your Stripe account information up to date and understanding the payout timeline, you'll have a clear picture of when to expect your fundraising funds to arrive.