# Onboarding Checklist
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/locations-merchants/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/onboarding-checklist/index.md

This guide outlines the end-to-end process, expected time frames, and requirements for moving your Location Services API integration from the Sandbox environment to Production.

The end-to-end process from Sandbox to Production follows this sequence:

1. **Sandbox Testing Complete:** Validate your integration works correctly against the Sandbox environment.
2. **Submit Production Request:** Provide your CID or company details for company verification and select your plan. See [Request Production Access](https://developer.mastercard.com/locations-merchants/documentation/quick-start-guide/index.md#go-live)
3. **Legal Contract:** Sign legal agreement shared by Mastercard regional representatives.
4. **Review \& Approval:** Mastercard will verify your eligibility and submitted information.
5. **Billing Setup:** No billing setup is required for the free trial period. For the Enterprise Plan, share invoicing details with your Mastercard regional representatives for billing setup. An invoice is generated and sent to your billing contact as per agreed cadence.
6. **Production Credentials Issued:** Upon production access approval, you will receive a confirmation mail.
7. **Go Live:** Complete the [technical promotion](https://developer.mastercard.com/locations-merchants/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/onboarding-checklist/index.md#step-3-technical-promotion-to-production) - install your production keystore, update your credentials, and switch your integration to the production base URL: `https://api.mastercard.com/locations/merchants`

If a stage is delayed or you need a status update, see the [Escalation Matrix](https://developer.mastercard.com/locations-merchants/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/onboarding-checklist/index.md#escalation-matrix).

## Prerequisite {#prerequisite}

* Completed integration and testing in the Sandbox environment with a 100% success rate.
* A Mastercard Developers account created using an enterprise email domain (Mastercard will not permit production access for accounts using personal email address domains)

## Step 1: Company verification using Company ID(CID) or Company details {#step-1-company-verification-using-company-idcid-or-company-details}

Company verification is one of the prerequisites required before you can request Production access for Location Services API. This step is required for Mastercard's risk policies and regulatory compliance. If you are an existing Mastercard customer and do not know your CID, you can find it by logging into [Mastercard Connect](https://www.mastercardconnect.com).

If you are not currently a Mastercard customer you can begin the process by searching via the company details like Company name, address, city, state, country \& postal code and select the company matching your company details and request for verification. Upon submission, a company verification request will be sent for review. Once your company has been verified, the Production access button will be enabled. Know more about the [company verification process](https://developer.mastercard.com/platform/documentation/account-management/company-verification/#3-complete-verification)

## Step 2: Request Production Access {#step-2-request-production-access}

Once you have completed your Sandbox testing and company is verified, you can initiate with production access request. Follow these steps to request production access:

1. **Legal Agreement:** To access Location Services API in production, a signed contract with Mastercard is required. A Mastercard regional representative will contact you with the contract, including pricing details where applicable. If you have not heard from a Mastercard representative within 2-3 days, please reach out to your organization's Account Manager. If you do not know your organization's Account Manager, please reach out to Support and specify the plan you are requesting. The contracting process can begin either before or after submitting a production access request; however, access is only approved once the contract is fully executed.
2. **Create Project Key:** The key alias and keystore password for the PKCS#12 keystore of your project.
3. **Submit:** The Mastercard team receives your request and begins the review process.

## Step 3: Technical Promotion to Production {#step-3-technical-promotion-to-production}

Production credentials are generated instantly, but only become usable once Mastercard approves your access request. After you receive the approval email from `apisupport@mastercard.com`:

1. Install your **production** `.p12` keystore. Do not reuse your Sandbox keystore.
2. Update your client with the production Consumer Key, key alias and keystore password.
3. Switch the base URL from `https://sandbox.api.mastercard.com/locations/merchants` to `https://api.mastercard.com/locations/merchants`. Paths, request bodies and response schemas are unchanged.
4. Re-run your [testing workflow](https://developer.mastercard.com/locations-merchants/documentation/integration-and-testing/index.md#testing-workflow) against production.

Warning: Sandbox credentials will not authenticate against production, and vice versa. A `401 Unauthorized` immediately after go-live usually means the environment and key pair do not match.

## Expected Timeframes {#expected-timeframes}

|     Stage/Plan      |                                                   Expected Time Frame                                                   |
|---------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Sandbox Environment | Instant upon project creation                                                                                           |
| Trial               | Within 2 business days of receiving production access request, subject to signing appropriate data evaluation agreement |
| Enterprise Plan     | Within 2 business days of receiving production access request, subject to signing the license agreement                 |

Note: Timeframes may vary depending on the completeness of your submitted information and your organization's existing Mastercard relationship. For a status update at any stage, use the [Escalation Matrix](https://developer.mastercard.com/locations-merchants/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/onboarding-checklist/index.md#escalation-matrix).

## Escalation Matrix {#escalation-matrix}

|                                    When to use                                     |                                                   Contact                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Technical questions, API errors, authentication failures                           | [Developer Support portal](https://developer.mastercard.com/support)                                         |
| Production access request exceeding 2 business days, credential/keystore issues    | `apisupport@mastercard.com`                                                                                  |
| Company verification not completed, or you need a status update                    | `apisupport@mastercard.com`, subject "Company Verification Escalation"                                       |
| No contact from a regional representative within 2-3 days of your contract request | Your Mastercard Account Manager, or `apisupport@mastercard.com`                                              |
| Commercial, pricing, licensing or data leasing questions                           | Your Mastercard Account Manager, or the [Developer Support portal](https://developer.mastercard.com/support) |
| Billing or invoicing discrepancies after go-live                                   | Your Mastercard Regional Representative or Account Manager                                                   |

### Ownership Contacts {#ownership-contacts}

|                     Area                      |                           Owner                            |                                                Contact                                                |
|-----------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| API technical support, errors and integration | Mastercard API Support                                     | [Developer Support portal](https://developer.mastercard.com/support)                                  |
| Production access, credentials and approvals  | Mastercard API Support                                     | `apisupport@mastercard.com`                                                                           |
| Pricing, licensing, regional availability     | Location Services Product Team                             | Via your Account Manager, or the [Developer Support portal](https://developer.mastercard.com/support) |
| Contracts, commercial terms and billing       | Your Mastercard Regional Representative or Account Manager | Contact directly, or ask via `apisupport@mastercard.com`                                              |

When escalating, include your project name, CID, the stage you are blocked at, and the date you submitted the request. Never send your private key or keystore password.

## Next Steps {#next-steps}

* [Integration and Testing](https://developer.mastercard.com/locations-merchants/documentation/integration-and-testing/index.md) - complete Sandbox validation before requesting production access.
* [Quick Start Guide](https://developer.mastercard.com/locations-merchants/documentation/quick-start-guide/index.md#go-live) - the screen-by-screen walkthrough for requesting production access.
* [Codes and Formats](https://developer.mastercard.com/locations-merchants/documentation/code-and-formats/index.md) - review error handling requirements.
* [Support](https://developer.mastercard.com/locations-merchants/documentation/support/index.md) - FAQ answers on production timelines, escalation and ownership contacts.