I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.
See all posts Frank Gogol5 Ways to Add Money to Your Venmo Account
Updated on August 26, 2024
Written by
Written by
Reviewed by
Rohit Mittal
Reviewed by
Rohit Mittal
Rohit Mittal is the co-founder and CEO of Stilt. Rohit has extensive experience in credit risk analytics and data science. He spent years building credit risk and fraud models for top U.S. banks. In his current role, he defines the overall business strategy, leads debt and capital fundraising efforts, leads product development, and leads other customer-related aspects for the company. Stilt is backed by Y Combinator and has raised a total of $275M in debt and equity funding to date.
See all posts Rohit MittalAt a Glance
- To add money to your Venmo account, you can use various methods such as bank transfers, direct deposits, check deposits, credit cards, or debit cards.
- Adding money from a bank account requires a Venmo-issued debit card, while credit or debit cards can be linked for sending payments. Another option is to set up direct deposit for paychecks.
- You can also fund your Venmo account by arranging cash transfers with trusted friends or using Venmo debit card reload or cashing a check with the Venmo debit card.
- It’s important to note that you can still use Venmo even if your balance is zero by utilizing linked payment methods.
Venmo is a convenient way to send, receive and spend money using only a smartphone. To use your Venmo account, you need to add money to it or have a linked payment method. If you are not sure how to add money to Venmo, read on to learn the details.
What is Venmo
Venmo is a mobile payment service from PayPal. Venmo allows people to send and receive money using a smartphone application. Venmo also allows merchants to receive payments from people using the service.
Venmo makes it easy to add money to your account balance right from the app so you can send payments or shop with your Venmo card. However, the ability to add funds is currently only available to Venmo debit cardholders who have gone through identity verification.
How to Add Money to Venmo
If you have a Venmo debit card, you can add money directly to your balance within the Venmo app. Just go to your profile, tap “Manage Balance,” enter the amount you’d like to add, and select a linked bank account or debit card to pull funds from.
Transfers from debit cards are usually instant, while bank account transfers take 3-5 business days to process. You’ll get notifications along the way about the status of your deposit.
Other Ways to Add Funds
Without a Venmo debit card, you unfortunately can’t directly deposit funds. But you still have options like:
- Cashing Venmo or PayPal checks through the app
- Accepting payments from friends
- Selling items and accepting the earnings
So explore all the payment possibilities with Venmo, whether you have a linked debit card or not! Adding money takes just a few taps when eligible, helping you keep funds flowing into your account.
5 Simple Ways to Add Money to Your Venmo Account
There are several different ways to make funds available to use in your Venmo account. These include:
- From Your bank account
- From a credit card or debit card
- With a Mastercard debit card
- By cashing a check
- Transfer from a friend
The details of the different ways to fund a Venmo account are explained below.
1. How to Add Money to Venmo from Your Bank Account
With Venmo, as long as it’s linked to your bank account, there’s no need to maintain a balance in the app. If your Venmo balance is zero and you make a payment, the amount will be drawn directly from your bank. If your bank account lacks the funds, that’s a different issue. Essentially, if your payment exceeds your Venmo balance, the app will cover the difference using your linked bank account.
2. Add Money to Venmo from a Credit Card or Debit Card
To add money to your Venmo balance, transfer from a linked bank account. Even with a zero balance, you can send money using a linked payment method. If a payment exceeds your Venmo balance, it’s drawn from this method. Simply ensure you have a verified payment method, like a bank-issued credit or debit card.
To link your card to Venmo, follow these steps:
- Open the Venmo app
- Select the You tab
- From the Settings menu, select Payment Methods
- Tap Add a Bank or Card
- Select Card
- Add your card information.
You can use your phone’s camera to quickly add card details or enter them manually. Once linked, choose it as the payment method in Venmo. Be aware, credit card payments have a 3% fee, except with certain merchants.
3. How to Add Money to Venmo With a Mastercard Debit Card
For added convenience, Venmo offers a Mastercard Debit Card. This card lets you spend your Venmo balance just like any other Mastercard.
If you possess the Venmo Mastercard Debit Card, you can also directly transfer money from a verified bank account to your Venmo balance. Here’s how:
- Link and verify a bank account to your Venmo profile.
- Open the Venmo app, tap the “Me” tab, then select “Manage Balance.”
- Tap “Add Money” and specify the amount. Confirm your bank account and tap “Next.”
- Check the transfer details and estimated arrival. Tap “Add Money” to finalize.
It’s important to note that transfers, once initiated, cannot be cancelled.
4. How to Add Money to Venmo by Cashing a Check
Another way to add money to your Venmo account is by cashing a check into your Venmo account. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open Venmo and tap the three-line menu.
- Choose “Manage Balance.”
- Tap “Cash a Check.”
- Verify your details.
- Enter the check’s amount.
- Capture photos of the check’s front and back, then proceed.
- Decide on fund availability: “In 10 Days” or “In Minutes.”
- Once confirmed, mark the check as “VOID” and keep it securely.
The deposited amount reflects in your Venmo balance. Use it for transfers, shopping, or in-store purchases. To move the balance to a bank, expect a 3-day wait or opt for an instant 1% fee transfer (max $10).
5. How to Add Money to Venmo With a Transfer from a Friend
In the digital age, peer-to-peer payment platforms like Venmo have revolutionized the way we manage and transfer money. While there are several methods to fund your Venmo account, one lesser-known but effective method is having a friend transfer money to you. Here’s how to do it:
- Connect with a trusted friend who also has a Venmo account
- Give cash equivalent to the amount you’d like put into your account to the friend
- In the Venmo app, your friend will select ‘Pay,’ and transfer the equivalent amount to you
After your friend has made the transfer, you’ll receive a notification from Venmo. Open the app and check your balance to ensure the money has been added.
Can I Add Cash to My Venmo Card at a Store?
While Venmo cards function similarly to prepaid debit cards in many ways, you cannot directly load cash onto your Venmo card at retail locations like you can with most prepaid cards. The only way to add money to your Venmo card is by loading funds into your Venmo account itself. You can then spend that balance using your Venmo card. To load your account, you can link bank accounts, debit cards, deposit checks through the app, or receive funds from friends. But adding cash directly only works when depositing money orders or personal checks to your account. The funds just can’t be loaded to the physical Venmo card itself without going through your Venmo balance first.
For an up-to-date list of stores where you can add cash to your Venmo Card, check out this article.
Where Can I Load My Venmo Card For Free?
There are a number of ways to add money to your Venmo card for free. You can transfer money for free directly from your linked bank account or debit card into your Venmo balance, and then use your Venmo card to spend that balance. Venmo debit cards are eligible for mobile check deposit as well, allowing you to deposit checks remotely without fees. You can also request funds from friends and use that to load your Venmo card. Retail reload networks like GreenDot may charge small fees, so linking a bank account tends to be the best free option.
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- How to Cancel a Venmo Payment
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- How Does Venmo Make Money?
- How to Close a Venmo Account
- How to Use Venmo
Final Thoughts
There are several methods of how to add money to Venmo. You can transfer directly from your bank account, from a debit or credit card, arrange a direct deposit of your paycheck, and have a friend transfer money to you to add to your Venmo balance. For more information about sending money to your Venmo account, you can always check out Venmo’s Help Center.
How to Add Money to a Venmo Account FAQ
Below, you will find common questions regarding how to add money to a Venmo account and their answers.
How do I put money in my Venmo account?
To add money to your Venmo account, link a bank account and initiate a transfer to your Venmo balance. Alternatively, you can have someone send money to you on Venmo.
Why can’t I add money to Venmo?
You might be experiencing issues due to a non-verified bank account, lack of a linked payment method, or account restrictions. Ensure your bank details are correct and reach out to Venmo support if problems persist.
How do I send money to myself on Venmo?
You cannot send money to yourself directly on one Venmo account. However, if you have two separate Venmo accounts with different linked email addresses or phone numbers, you can send money between them.
Where can I load money on my Venmo card?
Money is automatically loaded from your Venmo balance to your Venmo card. You cannot load money onto the card directly, but you can add to your Venmo balance from a linked bank account.
Can you load Venmo with cash?
Directly, no. But you can give cash to a trusted friend and have them transfer the equivalent amount to your Venmo account.
How can I send money to myself?
You can send money to yourself using different online platforms or by transferring funds between different bank accounts you own.
Can I use a credit card to Venmo?
Yes, you can link a credit card to your Venmo account. However, transactions made with a credit card might incur a 3% fee.
How do I use Venmo balance instead of bank account?
When making a payment, Venmo automatically uses your balance first. If the amount exceeds your balance, it will draw from the linked bank account or card.
Can I transfer money from my bank account to Venmo?
Yes, you can transfer money from a linked bank account to your Venmo balance.
Can you use just a bank account for Venmo?
Yes, you can link a bank account to Venmo and use it for transactions without adding money to your Venmo balance.
How do I add money to my Venmo balance 2023?
The process remains largely unchanged. Link a bank account and initiate a transfer to your Venmo balance, or have someone send you money on Venmo.
How do I add money to Venmo without a debit card?
You can add money to your Venmo account by linking a bank account and transferring funds, even without a debit card.
Frank Gogol
I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.