--- title: "Create a credit card pre-authorization | Helcim Learn" slug: "create-credit-card-pre-authorizations" description: "Learn how to quickly and easily create a credit card pre-authorization using Helcim POS or the Virtual Terminal." updated: 2026-07-23T16:25:55Z published: 2026-07-23T16:25:55Z canonical: "learn.helcim.com/create-credit-card-pre-authorizations" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learn.helcim.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Create a credit card pre-authorization Ready to set up a temporary hold on a customer's credit card? Creating a [pre-authorization](/v1/docs/what-are-credit-card-pre-authorizations) with Helcim is a straightforward process, whether you're using the [Helcim POS App](/v1/docs/using-the-helcim-pos) or the [Virtual Terminal](/v1/docs/using-the-helcim-virtual-terminal). This ensures funds are available for a future charge without actually processing the payment yet. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to create a pre-authorization using both methods. --- ## Create a pre-authorization in the Helcim POS app --- You can easily process a pre-authorization directly through the Helcim POS app, including on the Helcim Smart Terminal. ### Mobile version 1. Open the **Helcim POS app**. 2. In the **POS** tab, enter the amount you wish to authorize and select **Review**. 3. Tap the icon in the bottom left-corner to select a **Payment Method**. 4. Select **Pre-authorization**. 5. **Optional:** Select **Link customer** to link an already saved customer and their card details. 6. Select **Charge**. 7. If your customer is new, enter their card details through manual entry. - Card details will already be filled in for a saved customer. 8. Tap **Authorize** to complete the pre-authorization. ![Creating a credit card preauthorization in the Helcim POS app](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/preauth-in-POS-mobile.png) ### Desktop version 1. Open the **Helcim POS app**. 2. In the **POS** tab, enter the amount you wish to authorize. 3. Click the **Payment Method** dropdown to open it (this will say your default payment method, e.g. ‘card reader’). 4. Select **Pre-authorization**. 5. **Optional:** Select **Link customer** to link an already saved customer and their card details. 6. Select **Charge**. 7. If your customer is new, enter their card details through manual entry. - Card details will already be filled in for a saved customer. 8. Tap **Authorize** to complete the pre-authorization. ### Once processed, the pre-authorization will be valid for seven days. You will need to capture the transaction within this period before the pre-authorization expires. ## Create a pre-authorization in the Virtual Terminal --- You can also create a pre-authorization using the [Helcim Virtual Terminal](/v1/docs/using-the-helcim-virtual-terminal) from any web browser on your computer or mobile device. 1. [Log in](https://hsso.helcim.com/login) to your Helcim account. 2. Open the **Virtual Terminal** (via the [All Tools menu](https://learn.helcim.com/docs/a-tour-of-the-helcim-dashboard#the-“all-tools”-menu)). 3. **Optional:** Select **Attach** to link a saved customer and their card details. 4. Enter the transaction amount. 5. Click **More options** to expand it, then change the ‘Transaction Type’ to **Pre-Authorization**. 6. If your customer is new, enter the customer's credit card details. - Card details will already be filled in for a saved customer. 7. Click **Authorize** to complete the pre-authorization. ![Creating a credit card preauthorization in the Helcim virtual terminal](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/preauth-in-VT.png) ## Create a pre-authorization using a Helcim Payment Page --- [Helcim Payment Pages](/v1/docs/what-are-helcim-payment-pages) offer a great way to collect pre-authorizations directly from your customers online. You can [configure a payment page](/v1/docs/create-a-payment-page) to set a temporary hold on their card when they submit payment details. 1. [Log in](https://hsso.helcim.com/login) to your Helcim Account 2. Open the **Payment Pages** tool (via the [All Tools menu](https://learn.helcim.com/docs/a-tour-of-the-helcim-dashboard#the-“all-tools”-menu)). 3. Click **New Payment Page**. 4. Choose your desired page type. - If you select **Customer registration**, the transaction type will automatically be set to **Pre-authorization**. - For other page types (Invoice payment, Editable amount, Fixed amount, Product purchase), you will be able to choose between **Purchase** and **Pre-auth** under the "Credit card transaction type" setting in the **Transaction settings** section. 5. Configure the basic settings and any specific settings for your chosen page type. 6. Ensure the **Credit card transaction type** is set to **Pre-auth**. 7. Continue configuring your payment page fields and design as needed. 8. **Save** and **share** your payment page link or QR code with your customers. When customers complete the payment page, a pre-authorization will be placed on their card for the specified amount. ![Setting a preauth for a Helcim payment page](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/preauth-in-payment-page.png) ## View a pre-authorization after it's created --- Once you've created a pre-authorization, you can easily find it in your transaction history. - **In the Helcim POS app:** Select **Transactions** from the bottom navigation to see a list of all your transactions. - Pre-authorizations will have a transaction type of ‘Pre-auth.’ You can select **Filters** and then **Payment types** to filter your transactions to only display the ‘Pre-auth’ type - **In your Helcim Dashboard:** Navigate to the **Payments** page section, and select the **Pre-authorization** tab to see a list of all your transactions. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/image-DXD7KCSD.png) ## Important notes about pre-authorizations --- - **Expiry**: Pre-authorizations are only valid for 7 days. After this time, the option to capture the pre-authorization will no longer be available in the action menu. - **Manual entry only**: At this time, pre-authorizations can only be processed by manually entering card details with the above methods, not by tapping or inserting a card with the Helcim Smart Terminal or Card Reader. ## Next steps --- You've successfully created a pre-authorization! The next crucial step is to capture those funds when you're ready to complete the transaction. - [How to capture a credit card pre-authorization](/v1/docs/capture-credit-card-pre-authorizations) ## --- ### FAQs **Can I use my Helcim Smart Terminal or Card Reader to create a pre-authorization?** Currently pre-authorizations can only be processed by manually entering card details through the Helcim POS app. The manual entry can be done on a Smart Terminal, or on a mobile or desktop device. A linked Helcim Card Reader won’t be useful in the process because card details must be manually entered. **What happens if I don't capture a pre-authorization within 7 days?** If a pre-authorization is not captured within 7 days, it will expire. The option to capture the transaction will no longer be available in the action menu, and you would need to create a new pre-authorization if you still wish to charge the customer. **Can I integrate pre-authorizations into my own website or app?** Yes! If you're looking for a more customized integration, you can configure HelcimPay.JS, our developer-ready and low-code payments modal, to collect pre-authorizations. For more information, please refer to our [introductory article on HelcimPay.JS](/v1/docs/what-is-helcimpay-js), or our [developer docs article on payment types](https://devdocs.helcim.com/docs/available-payment-types-and-methods-through-helcimpayjs). 🦆