NBU QR Code Standard Evolution: From Version 002 to 003

On August 19, 2025, the National Bank of Ukraine issued Resolution No. 97, introducing significant enhancements to the country's QR code payment standard. The new version 003 format brings Ukraine's digital payment infrastructure closer to international standards while addressing practical business needs that emerged during the implementation of version 002.

The Strategic Context

The evolution from version 002 to 003 reflects Ukraine's ongoing commitment to modernizing its payment infrastructure in alignment with European standards, particularly ISO 20022. This update comes as instant payments through the SEP-4.1 system gain traction across Ukrainian banks, and businesses seek more sophisticated tools for managing cashless transactions.

Instant Payments Take Center Stage

The most significant change in version 003 is native support for instant credit transfers. The Function field now accepts three values:

UCT (Ukrainian Credit Transfer) : Standard credit transfer, typically processed in minutes

ICT (Instant Credit Transfer) : Real-time payment processed through the SEP-4.1 instant payment system, completed within seconds

XCT (Either type) : Allows the payer to choose between instant or standard transfer

This distinction matters because instant payments carry different fee structures and operational requirements. By encoding the transfer type directly in the QR code, merchants can optimize their cash flow while giving customers choice.

Enhanced Transaction Intelligence

Version 003 introduces the Category/Purpose field using ISO 20022 classification codes in the format CCCC/PPPP. This replaces the reserved "Purpose" field from version 002, enabling:

  1. Automated categorization of transactions for accounting systems
  2. Better compliance with anti-money laundering requirements
  3. Improved reconciliation for businesses processing high transaction volumes
  4. Integration with international payment messaging standards

Granular Control Over Payment Data

One of the most business-friendly additions is the Field Modification Prohibition Code. This 16-bit bitmask allows merchants to lock specific fields, preventing customers from altering critical payment information.

A coffee shop might lock all fields except the amount, allowing customers to adjust tips. An online marketplace might lock everything to ensure payment integrity. A utility company might lock all fields entirely for fixed billing amounts.

This addresses a common pain point where customers accidentally modified recipient details or payment purposes, causing reconciliation headaches.

Time-Sensitive Invoicing

Version 003 adds two timestamp fields:

Invoice Validity Date/Time : definition: Defines when the payment invoice expires, preventing late payments on time-sensitive offers

Invoice Creation Date/Time : Mandatory when digital signatures are used, provides audit trails

These fields enable dynamic pricing (early bird discounts that expire), prevent abuse of old invoices, and create clear payment windows for event tickets or limited-time offers.

Extended Metadata Capabilities

The Display field expands from 70 to 140 characters and gains a critical new capability: embedding ISO 20022 XML fragments. This allows merchants to include additional structured data that doesn't fit standard fields:

  • Ultimate creditor information for marketplace transactions
  • Internal merchant identifiers for point-of-sale systems
  • Customer classification data for loyalty programs
  • Custom routing instructions for complex payment flows

Reference Field Activation

Previously reserved in version 002, the Reference field now serves as a unique invoice identifier within the merchant's system. This links QR code payments to specific transactions, invoices, or orders—crucial for:

  • E-commerce platforms tracking thousands of simultaneous transactions
  • Subscription services managing recurring payments
  • Marketplaces routing payments to multiple sellers
  • Accounting systems requiring precise reconciliation

Personalized Application Startup

Version 003 allows payment service providers to use custom application startup codes incorporating their own domain names, instead of the generic qr.bank.gov.ua prefix. This enables:

  1. Branded payment experiences when customers scan QR codes
  2. Direct deep-linking into specific banking apps
  3. Simplified customer journeys for bank-specific implementations
  4. Better tracking of QR code usage by payment providers

Backward Compatibility Considerations

The resolution explicitly maintains support for version 002, ensuring existing QR code implementations continue functioning during the transition period. However, businesses should plan migration to version 003 to access new capabilities, particularly if they:

  • Want to accept instant payments
  • Need better transaction categorization
  • Require time-limited invoices
  • Process high volumes requiring automated reconciliation

Practical Implementation Timeline

Resolution No. 97 takes effect November 1, 2025, giving payment service providers and merchants a clear implementation window. Banks must update their mobile applications to recognize and process version 003 QR codes, while merchants should coordinate with their payment providers to generate compliant invoices.

Why This Matters for pmnt.app Users

Services like pmnt.app that generate NBU-compliant QR invoices gain powerful new capabilities with version 003:

  1. Support for instant payment QR codes, enabling real-time settlement
  2. Proper ISO 20022 categorization for professional accounting integration
  3. Time-limited invoices for flash sales or event tickets
  4. Enhanced reconciliation with accounting systems through reference field utilization
  5. Field locking to prevent customer errors on critical payments

The Broader Digital Payments Picture

This evolution positions Ukraine's QR payment infrastructure among Europe's most advanced. By embracing ISO 20022 standards and instant payments while maintaining user-friendly QR code simplicity, the NBU creates a framework that serves everyone from street vendors to major e-commerce platforms.

The ability to encode increasingly sophisticated payment logic in a simple scannable code represents the practical application of international banking standards adapted to Ukrainian market needs. As more businesses adopt these enhanced capabilities, Ukraine's cashless economy becomes more efficient, transparent, and aligned with European payment practices.

Version 003 isn't just a technical update—it's the foundation for the next generation of Ukrainian digital commerce.