When a BDO to Maya transfer is refused or an amount seems too high for your wallet, the explanation is often your Maya account level. Maya sorts accounts into levels, and each level carries different features and different caps on balances and transactions. Upgrading your account is a verification process, and it affects how much you can hold, how much you can move and how some features work. This article explains the levels, what the upgrade involves and how to prepare.
All figures and rules in Maya change over time, so use the account limits screen in the app as the final authority.
The idea behind account levels
Financial regulators require e-money issuers to know who their customers are. The more verified information a customer provides, the higher the limits can be. Maya applies this idea through account levels. A newly created account is a basic account, which can already do many everyday things. Verified accounts unlock higher limits and additional options, and higher tiers exist for heavy users.
The account limits page describes each level with its features and a table of limits for balance, purchases, ATM withdrawals, sending to other users, bank transfers and receiving money from other banks and wallets. It also mentions that some channels, such as certain over-the-counter and card routes, have their own limits.
Basic and upgraded accounts
A basic account typically supports over-the-counter cash in, buying digital goods, scanning codes to pay merchants, cashback and rewards, receiving money from banks and wallets through the interbank rails and national QR standard, and sending money to other users and to bank accounts or wallets. It also includes limited buyer protection for qualifying purchases.
An upgraded account increases the monthly limits and keeps those features. Higher tiers, referred to as super and ultimate users in Maya's documentation, raise the caps further and suit people or small businesses with a large volume of transactions.
What the upgrade requires
Maya's account page states that upgrading involves a video selfie, a valid ID, a verified address and verified personal information. In practice you open the upgrade option in the app, choose an accepted ID, capture the ID and take the selfie as the app instructs, and confirm your details. Review is usually handled digitally, and you receive a notification when it is complete.
Prepare a valid, unexpired ID and make sure the name on it matches the name you registered. Good lighting and a steady camera reduce the chance of rejection. If the name or the date of birth does not match, correct your profile before you submit.
Why the level matters for BDO cash in
When you bring money from BDO into Maya, two sets of limits apply. BDO controls what you can send out on its side, and Maya controls what your wallet can accept. If your wallet is close to its balance cap or its monthly limit, additional deposits can be refused, even if BDO would have allowed the transfer. Conversely, if BDO caps a single transfer, you may need more than one.
Maya's limits information also describes how different cash-in channels relate to the wallet size and to channel caps. Check the numbers for the channel you intend to use before you move a large amount.
Checking where you stand
The app lets you view your current account level and limits. Look at the monthly cash-in usage, the wallet balance cap and the daily and monthly caps for sending. Daily caps refresh the next day, and monthly caps start fresh with the new month, which is how Maya describes its cash-in rules.
If you are planning a large payment, such as tuition or a deposit, look at your limits several days ahead. Waiting until the last moment can leave you with no time to complete an upgrade.
Common reasons an upgrade is rejected
Typical reasons include a blurry ID photo, an expired ID, a name that differs from the registered name, a selfie taken in poor lighting or a mismatch in birth date. If a rejection occurs, read the message carefully, correct the problem and resubmit. Avoid submitting repeatedly without changes, since that wastes time and may trigger additional checks.
Never use another person's ID or share your verification details with people who offer to upgrade accounts for a fee. That is both against the rules and a frequent form of fraud.
After upgrading
Once your account is upgraded, review the new limits, update your security settings and consider whether you want to keep a large balance in the wallet. If your goal is to save, look at savings options within the app. If your goal is to spend, keep a comfortable working balance and move the rest to a place that suits your plans.
Repeat the habit of checking limits before large transfers. Rules and tiers change, and a quick look at the account page keeps you informed.
What to prepare before you start
Have a valid government ID ready, good lighting for the video step and a steady connection. Make sure your personal details in the app match your ID exactly, because mismatches slow down review. Allow some time for the review to finish, and avoid starting a large payment that depends on the upgrade until you see the new level in the app.
Related guides
- Other Ways to Cash In to Maya Besides BDO: Banks, Stores and Maya Center
- How to Transfer Money from BDO to Maya Using the BDO Online App
- BDO to Maya Transfer Fee: Why the Numbers Online Disagree
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