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

This guide outlines the end-to-end process, expected timeframes, and requirements for moving your Places 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 that your integration works correctly in the Sandbox environment.
2. **Submit Production Request:** Provide your CID or company details for company verification, select a plan, and accept the agreement for that plan. See [Request Production Access](https://developer.mastercard.com/places/documentation/quick-start-guide/index.md#go-live).
3. **Legal Contract:** Sign the 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 representative. Invoices are sent to your billing contact according to the agreed cadence.
6. **Production Credentials Issued:** After Mastercard approves Production access, you will receive a confirmation email.
7. **Go Live:** Update your integration to use the production base URL: `https://api.mastercard.com/location-intelligence/places-locator/`

## 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 does not permit Production access for accounts that use personal email domains.

## Step 1: Verify Your Company {#step-1-verify-your-company}

Company verification is one of the prerequisites required before you can request Production access for Places 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, search by company name, address, city, state, country, and postal code. Select the matching company and request verification. After Mastercard verifies your company, the Production access button becomes available. Learn 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}

After you complete Sandbox testing and your company is verified, you can initiate a Production access request:

1. **Select a Plan:** Review the plan and choose the one that best fits your requirements (Free or Enterprise Plan).
2. **Provide Service Details:** When requesting production access, you need to provide:
   * Industry segment
   * Job title
   * Use-case description
3. **Legal Agreement:** A signed contract with Mastercard is required for Production access. For the Free Trial Plan, sign the Data Evaluation Agreement digitally during the Production access request. For the Enterprise Plan, a Mastercard regional representative will contact you with the contract and pricing details. If you have not heard from a representative within 2-3 days, contact your organization's Account Manager. If you do not know your Account Manager, contact Support and specify that you are requesting access to an Enterprise Plan. Contracting can begin before or after you submit the Production access request, but Mastercard approves access only after the contract is fully executed.
4. **Create Project Key:** Enter a key alias and keystore password for your project's PKCS#12 keystore.
5. **Submit:** The Mastercard team receives your request and begins the review process.

## Expected Timeframes {#expected-timeframes}

|     Stage/Plan      |                                                     Expected Timeframe                                                     |
|---------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Sandbox Environment | Instant upon project creation                                                                                              |
| Free Plan           | Within 2 business days of receiving the Production access request, subject to signing the appropriate free trial 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.

## Escalation Paths {#escalation-paths}

If your production access request is delayed or you need assistance at any stage:

* General API Support: Reach out via [APISupport@mastercard.com](mailto:APISupport@mastercard.com).
* Your Mastercard Representative: If you have an assigned Account Manager, contact them directly for priority escalation. Include your project name, CID, and a description of the issue when reaching out.