Quick answer
Video KYC is a live video identity check that a lender may use during a digital personal-loan application. You usually speak with an authorised agent, show the documents they ask for and confirm your details. Good lighting, a steady connection, clear documents and matching personal information help you finish without avoidable problems.
What is Video KYC?
Video KYC is a remote way to prove that you are the real person applying for a financial product. Instead of visiting an office, you join a live video session on your phone. An agent may look at your face, ask a few simple questions and check the documents or digital records the lender requires.
The Reserve Bank of India calls this the Video-based Customer Identification Process, or V-CIP. RBI describes it as a live, consent-based audio-visual interaction used to identify a customer, and a compliant V-CIP is treated like face-to-face identification.
Video KYC is only one part of the wider personal-loan KYC process. Finishing it confirms who you are. It does not guarantee approval, a particular loan amount or disbursal. The lender may still review your income or cash flow, credit profile, bank details and other eligibility factors.
Step-by-step Video KYC process for a personal loan
The screens, order and questions differ from lender to lender. In most digital lending journeys, the video KYC process follows these general steps.
- You complete the earlier application steps. You may first enter your mobile number, personal details and some financial information. Some journeys also ask for consent, PAN details or a selfie before the live session starts.
- You open the official Video KYC option. It should appear inside the lender’s official app or website, or come through a link from a verified channel. Most people reach it after they apply through the mobile app. Never join a video call just because someone says they represent a lender.
- You read the instructions and give consent. The app may ask for camera, microphone and location access during the session. If you don’t understand why a permission is needed, check with the lender’s official support before allowing it.
- You join the live session. You may connect to an agent straight away or wait in a queue. Keep your face visible and stay in one place. Skip beauty filters and virtual backgrounds, because they can interfere with the identity check.
- You confirm basic details. The agent may ask for your name, date of birth or current address. Answer in your own words, without anyone prompting you. Your answers should match what you entered in the application.
- You show the requested document. Depending on the lender’s approved process, you may need to hold up a document or use an accepted digital record. Keep it steady, keep every required part visible and avoid glare. The exact video KYC documents should always come from the lender’s official instructions.
- The agent checks your face and details. They may compare your live face with the photo in your identity record. You may be asked to turn your head, read something on screen or answer changing questions, so the lender can confirm the session is live.
- The session ends and the lender reviews it. Ending the call doesn’t always mean verification is complete. The lender may still need to review the recording, document details or your application before showing the next status.
- You track your application status. Check progress only through the lender’s official app, website or support channel. If verification is done but nothing moves, look for another pending action. A different issue applies when you see an approved loan not credited to your bank account.
Preparation checklist
A few minutes of preparation can prevent most technical and visibility problems. Before you start, check the following:
- Use the official channel: Start only inside the lender’s official app, official website or a verified link.
- Read the document list: Keep only the documents the official instructions ask for. Don’t assume every lender wants the same items.
- Check that your details match: Your name, date of birth and other details should match your supporting records. If something really doesn’t match, fix it through the proper channel instead of hiding it.
- Clean the camera lens: A fingerprint or dust can blur your face and document, even in a bright room.
- Face the light: Sit facing a window or lamp. A bright window behind you can turn your face into a dark shadow.
- Choose a plain background: A simple, uncluttered background helps the camera focus on you.
- Steady your phone: Keep it at eye level on a stand or firm surface instead of holding it with a shaky hand.
- Check your connection: Use reliable mobile data or Wi-Fi, and ask others on the same network to pause big downloads.
- Charge your phone: Keep enough battery for the queue and the full session, and close apps that could slow it down or grab the camera.
- Allow the permissions: Turn on the camera, microphone and any other access the official app asks for.
- Keep your face clearly visible: The lender may need a clear view of your face. If you have a medical or religious need, tell the agent and follow their instructions.
- Be alone if you can: Pick a quiet place where you can hear and answer clearly, and don’t let anyone coach your answers.
Common reasons Video KYC fails and how to fix them
A failed or interrupted session doesn’t always mean your loan application is rejected. Read the exact message first. The call may have dropped, a document may have been unreadable or the lender may want you to repeat the check.
| Problem | Why it happens | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| Face is too dark or blurred | Weak front lighting, a dirty lens or a moving phone | Clean the lens, face a light source and keep the phone steady at eye level. |
| Document is unreadable | Glare, cropped edges, small text or poor camera focus | Move away from direct glare, show the full required area and wait for the camera to focus. |
| Name or date doesn’t match | Application details differ from the identity record | Find the exact mismatch and correct the application or record through the official process. |
| Face match fails | Poor image quality, something blocking your face or an unclear photo on the document | Use even lighting, remove anything that blocks your face and follow the lender’s steps for another try. |
| Call disconnects | Weak network, low battery, app closure or an incoming call | Switch to a stable network, charge the phone, close other apps and restart only through the official channel. |
| Camera or microphone doesn’t work | Permission is blocked or another app is using the device | Check app permissions, close other camera or calling apps, then reopen the verified session. |
| Location check fails | Location is off, the signal is weak or a VPN interferes | Turn on location as the app asks, move to a spot with better signal and switch off any VPN. |
| Someone else prompts your answers | The lender can’t tell that you’re answering on your own | Restart from a quiet place and answer by yourself. Ask the agent to repeat anything unclear. |
| Session link has expired | The time window ended or the earlier session was closed | Get a fresh session only through the lender’s official app, website or support team. |
| Status stays pending | The lender is still reviewing, or another step is incomplete | Check the official status page for pending actions and contact official support if nothing is clear. |
If your screen says “video KYC rejected,” don’t rush to submit new applications. Save the exact message, note when the session took place and ask official support whether you need a fresh session, corrected details or another permitted way to verify.
Safety warnings: how to stay safe from KYC scams
A live camera can make a call feel official, but a video call alone doesn’t prove the caller works for a real lender. Use these checks every time:
- Never share your OTP, UPI PIN, card PIN, CVV or any banking password on a video call.
- Complete KYC only inside the lender’s official app, official website or a link confirmed through its official channel.
- Never pay a fee to “unlock,” “activate” or “verify” a loan. A genuine identity check doesn’t need a payment to a personal UPI ID or an unknown bank account.
- Don’t install screen-sharing or remote-access apps because an unknown caller says KYC needs them.
- Don’t scan a QR code to “receive” loan money or finish verification. Approving a payment request can take money out of your account.
- Be careful if someone creates urgency, asks you to move to a personal number or won’t say which lender they represent.
- If anything feels off, end the session and check the instructions using the lender’s published app, website or customer-support details.
FAQs
What is Video KYC?
Video KYC is a live, remote identity check. You talk on video with an authorised agent who may confirm your face, personal details and the identification records you show. RBI calls a compliant version V-CIP and treats it like face-to-face identification.
How is Video KYC done for a personal loan?
Typically, you start from the lender’s official app or website, give consent, allow camera and microphone access and join a live session. You may answer identity questions and show documents. The lender then reviews the session and updates your application status.
Is Video KYC mandatory for every personal loan?
Not necessarily. The method can depend on the lender, the product and the applicant. Some journeys use Video KYC, while others use another permitted method. Follow the instructions in the official app, and ask official support if the options aren’t clear.
How long does Video KYC take?
There’s no single answer, because it varies by lender. Queue time, document readiness, network quality and any repeat attempts all affect it. Go by the timing the lender’s official app shows, and don’t assume that finishing the call means your loan is approved.
Which documents are needed for Video KYC?
It depends on the lender and its approved process. You may be asked for PAN details and an accepted identity or address record, but rely only on the list in the official journey. Keep the document clear, valid and consistent with your application details.
Why was my Video KYC rejected?
Common reasons include poor lighting, an unreadable document, a face or detail mismatch, a bad connection, blocked permissions or answers prompted by someone else. Check the exact status before assuming the loan was rejected, then fix the issue and retry only if the lender allows it.
What should I do if Video KYC fails?
Save the error message, check your network and permissions, and look for mismatches in your details. Re-enter through the official app or website, never an unknown link. If the reason stays unclear, ask the lender’s official support whether a new session or corrected details are needed.
Is Video KYC safe?
It’s safer when you do it through the lender’s official channel with clear consent. You still need to watch for impersonators. Never share an OTP, PIN, CVV or password, never pay an “unlock” fee and never install a screen-sharing app on a stranger’s instructions.
Can I complete Video KYC at night or redo it?
Operating hours and retry rules differ between lenders. Look for available time slots and a retry option inside the official app or website. If you can’t find one, contact official support, and don’t accept a late-night video call from an unknown number just because the caller promises faster approval.
Conclusion
Video KYC is much easier when you know what to expect: use the official channel, keep the requested records ready, sit in good light and answer on your own. If you’re thinking about a digital loan, you can look at ZapCash’s personal-loan options and follow the verification steps shown in the official journey.
