Merchant onboarding flows

After you integrate the Partner SDK, merchants can onboard through two main flows depending on their existing PayPal account status.

Merchants with existing verified PayPal business accounts can link their accounts to create Partner Delegated Merchant Accounts and start processing payments immediately.

Verified account (instant approval)

Merchants with existing verified PayPal business accounts can use their verified data for instant approval and can start processing payments immediately.

1. The merchant enters the welcome page and selects Set up faster and easier.
2. Logs into their qualified PayPal business account.
3. Reviews and consents to sharing data between their Primary Business Account and the new Partner Delegated Merchant Account.
4. PayPal creates a Partner Delegated Merchant Account using existing verified data.
5. On successful account creation, PayPal sends:
• CUSTOMER.MANAGED-ACCOUNT.ACCOUNT-CREATED with account_id
6. On successful verification, PayPal sends:
   • CUSTOMER.MANAGED-ACCOUNT.ACCOUNT-STATUS-CHANGED to confirm that all payment capabilities are active
7. The merchant accesses the partner co-branded servicing homepage for their new Partner Delegated Merchant Account.

Unverified account

Merchants with existing unverified PayPal business accounts must complete additional data collection and verification requirements.

1. The merchant enters the welcome page and selects Set up faster and easier.
2. Logs into their qualified PayPal business account.
3. Reviews and consents to data sharing between the Primary Business Account and the new Partner Delegated Merchant Account.
4. PayPal creates a Partner Delegated Merchant Account but requires additional verification. 
5. On successful account creation, PayPal sends:
• CUSTOMER.MANAGED-ACCOUNT.ACCOUNT-CREATED with account_id
• CUSTOMER.MANAGED-ACCOUNT.ACCOUNT-STATUS-CHANGED for verification process in progress
6. The merchant completes additional profile information required in their PayPal business account and submits verification documents.
7. When profile data is updated, PayPal sends:
• CUSTOMER.MANAGED-ACCOUNT.ACCOUNT-UPDATED
8. PayPal reviews documents and, upon approval, enables payment capabilities and sends:
• CUSTOMER.MANAGED-ACCOUNT.ACCOUNT-STATUS-CHANGED
9. The merchant accesses the partner co-branded servicing homepage for their new Partner Delegated Merchant Account.

Merchants without PayPal accounts can create a business account and a Partner Delegated Merchant Account through the embedded experience.

1. The merchant enters the welcome page and selects Add info on your own.
2. Creates a new primary PayPal business account with mandatory details.
3. Reviews and consents to data sharing between the Primary Business Account and the Partner Delegated Merchant Account.
4. PayPal creates a Partner Delegated Merchant Account linked to the primary business account. 
5. On successful account creation, PayPal sends:
• CUSTOMER.MANAGED-ACCOUNT.ACCOUNT-CREATED with account_id
• CUSTOMER.MANAGED-ACCOUNT.ACCOUNT-STATUS-CHANGED to indicate that the verification process in progress
6. The merchant enters the business information and beneficial owner details. 
7. After the merchant submits their profile data, PayPal sends:
• CUSTOMER.MANAGED-ACCOUNT.ACCOUNT-UPDATED
8. PayPal attempts instant verification or requests supporting documents. If instant verification fails, PayPal sends:
• CUSTOMER.MANAGED-ACCOUNT.ACCOUNT-STATUS-CHANGED to indicate that document upload is required
9. PayPal reviews and approves the verification. On verification completion, PayPal sends:
• CUSTOMER.MANAGED-ACCOUNT.ACCOUNT-STATUS-CHANGED. PayPal does not send any webhooks for rejected documents
10. The merchant accesses the partner co-branded servicing homepage for their Partner Delegated Merchant Account.