Payment on hold for a business or seller (automatic hold)
21 days · the date the payment was received (the page does not name the start point)Funds are expected in the Venmo account (minus the transaction fee) within 21 days; held payments are released automatically within 21 days and Venmo notifies you in the app and by email.
“Held payments are automatically released within 21 days” Source: help.venmo.com/hc/en-us/articles/4406541849875-Payment-Holds-for-Businesses-and-Sellers (read 2026-10-17)
Payment in review
2 days · the date the payment was flaggedTypically within 48 hours; Venmo contacts you by email if more information is required.
“Payments that have been flagged for review are typically resolved within 48 hours” Source: help.venmo.com/cs/articles/payment-in-review-vhel210 (read 2026-10-17)
Risk-based hold on transactions (up to 180 days)
180 days · the date the transaction was madeUp to 180 days from the date of the transaction. Venmo may release earlier at its sole discretion.
“Risk-based holds may remain in place for up to 180 days from the date the transaction was made.” Source: venmo.com/legal/us-user-agreement (read 2026-10-17)
Money in your account held for up to 180 days (risk of liability or policy violation)
180 days · not stated on the pageVenmo may hold money in the account for up to 180 days if reasonably needed to protect against the risk of liability or after a violation of the Acceptable Use Policy.
“Hold money in your Venmo account for up to 180 days if reasonably needed to protect against the risk of liability” Source: venmo.com/legal/us-user-agreement (read 2026-10-17)
Hold or limitation under a court order or other legal process
No fixed term publishedCan last longer than 180 days; Venmo has no obligation to contest or appeal a court order.
“the hold or limitation may remain in place longer than 180 days” Source: venmo.com/legal/us-user-agreement (read 2026-10-17)
Hold because of an open dispute
No fixed term publishedNo period is stated; the hold runs until the dispute is resolved.
“Your transaction is on hold due to an open dispute investigation.” Source: help.venmo.com/cs/articles/dispute-holds-vhel379 (read 2026-10-17)
Tax hold and backup withholding on goods-and-services payments
No fixed term publishedNo period stated. Backup withholding of 24% starts on new goods-and-services payments once the reporting threshold is reached and the tax ID is still missing.
“Venmo may place payments on hold if you receive money for goods and services and haven’t provided your taxpayer information” Source: help.venmo.com/cs/articles/tax-holds-and-backup-withholding-vhel218 (read 2026-10-17)
Account frozen or suspended
No fixed term publishedNo period is stated. Venmo says it is actively reviewing and will email when there is an update.
“In an effort to provide the highest level of security, your account may be frozen or suspended for a variety of reasons.” Source: help.venmo.com/cs/articles/frozen-account-vhel251 (read 2026-10-17)
Withdrawal or transfer under review
No fixed term publishedNo period is stated; reviews can delay, block or cancel transfers and hold money.
“We may limit your Venmo account and access to the money in it or that is sent to you (or a Teen User) until verification is completed.” Source: venmo.com/legal/us-user-agreement (read 2026-10-17)
Dormant account and unclaimed money
1095 days · the last login or account activityGenerally presumed abandoned after 3 years without login or activity (can vary by jurisdiction). Venmo emails you and gives a window to access the account; after it closes the funds are sent to your state and the account is closed.
“Venmo accounts are generally presumed abandoned when there has been no login or other account activity for 3 years” Source: help.venmo.com/cs/articles/venmo-account-with-unclaimed-money-vhel364 (read 2026-10-17)