# Onboarding overview

Getting from sign-up to your first live payment takes a few steps. This page maps the whole journey and points you to the detail for each stage.

## Your path to going live[​](#path "Direct link to Your path to going live")

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## 1. Create your account[​](#create "Direct link to 1. Create your account")

[Create and activate your account](https://docs.monei.com/get-started/get-started-with-monei/.md) — sign up, add your business details, and configure how you want to get paid.

## 2. Verify your business[​](#verify "Direct link to 2. Verify your business")

[Verification and approval](https://docs.monei.com/onboarding/verification/.md) — MONEI is a regulated payment institution, so we verify your identity and business (KYC) before approving your account. See which documents are needed and what each account status means.

Requirements differ by country — see [onboarding by country](https://docs.monei.com/onboarding/onboarding-by-country/.md).

## 3. Connect an acquirer (if needed)[​](#acquirer "Direct link to 3. Connect an acquirer (if needed)")

If you use MONEI acquiring, this step is handled for you. If you'd rather bring your own acquirer, you can [connect it](https://docs.monei.com/onboarding/connect-your-acquirer/.md) — Redsys or Stripe — and use MONEI to orchestrate payments across processors and methods. It's incremental: start with your existing acquirer, then split traffic and add MONEI acquiring, payment methods, and features over time.

## 4. Go live[​](#go-live "Direct link to 4. Go live")

Once approved, configure your [payment methods](https://docs.monei.com/payment-methods/overview/.md) and start accepting payments. Developers should [test and go live](https://docs.monei.com/testing/.md) first.

## Common questions[​](#common-questions "Direct link to Common questions")

### Why was my account or payout put on hold?[​](#hold "Direct link to Why was my account or payout put on hold?")

See [why payouts are suspended or held](https://docs.monei.com/onboarding/payouts-suspended/.md) for the common triggers and how to release funds.

### Can my business type use MONEI?[​](#eligibility "Direct link to Can my business type use MONEI?")

Some categories are restricted — check [restricted and high-risk businesses](https://docs.monei.com/onboarding/restricted-and-high-risk-businesses/.md).