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The Daily Insight Hub

Why does it take so long to get a refund on a debit card?

Author

Emma Miller

Updated on February 10, 2026

the reason why it takes so long to process a refund is because there’s few parties that are involved in the refund or purchase process. their payment processor will receive the request to send you back your money.

How long does it take for a refund to go back on your debit card from Walmart?

When a refund is done back to your debit card, the action is completed by Walmart right away. However, the next step is done by your bank. It could take anywhere from three to ten days, depending on your bank. If you are returning to your card it’s 7–10 days.

Are debit card refunds instant?

When you make a debit card purchase, the money is transferred out of your bank account to the merchant. The bank cannot issue an immediate refund to your debit card because the process is instant, and your money is no longer there. If you need a refund, you must contact the merchant to process the request for a refund.

How long does a Visa Debit refund take?

once the refund is done at the payment processor end. Your bank will process it and post it to your account. Now it’s within your bank hands and they will post it back whenever they want (depending on your bank policy, but usually they do it in average of 3 days).

Can you get refund on debit card?

Card Operators have the authority to refund a debit card transaction. You do not need the OLB or card terminal for debit card refunds. An exception is debit card payments processed using PIN Bypass on the card terminal. These payments are refunded back to the debit card, as they are recorded as credit card payments.

Why does it take 3 to 5 days for a refund?

Due to some reason, like delivery of good not being made or quality of services being poor, the customer requests a refund from the business. Given the number of parties involved and the variance in their processes to handle refunds, it takes 5-10 days for them to be credited back to the customer account.

Is it a long process to refund a debit card?

Because each merchant is different, a consumer may receive a refund on a debit card purchase within just a few days, or it may take longer than a week. When requesting a refund from an online merchant, processing a return can add additional time to the refund request.

How long does it take to get money back from a stolen debit card?

Debit cards offer consumers the convenience of paying for items immediately without having to carry cash. When using a debit card, the money is automatically and immediately withdrawn from your checking account. Privacy Rights says that banks may take up to two weeks to refund stolen money after you report the theft.

How long does it take for a bank to investigate a debit card?

Every bank handles debit card disputes differently. But under Regulation E, your bank: Must investigate a potential account error within 10 business days (or 20 business days for new accounts). May extend its investigation up to take 45 days but generally provides you with a provisional credit in the meantime.

How long does it take for bank to cancel a debit card?

In the meantime, your bank may cancel your debit card if it was a point of sale transaction or close your account if it was an ACH transfer. If the fraudulent activity is severe or you suspect identity theft, you may need to file a police report. Disputing a non-fraudulent charge takes a bit longer — usually 30 to 45 days.