> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.synctera.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Card Lifecycle

> A card moves through a defined set of states from issuance request to termination. This page covers those states, how fulfillment is tracked alongside them, and a worked example of a card's whole life.

```mermaid mermaid theme={"system"}
stateDiagram-v2
    request : Request card
    physical : Physical card
    virtual : Virtual card
    deliver : Deliver to customer
    present : Present digitally<br>to customer
    activate : Activate card
    monitor : Monitor card
    manage : Manage card
    reissue : Reissue card
    suspend : Suspend card
    terminate : Terminate card
    request --> physical
    request --> virtual
  virtual --> present
  physical --> deliver
  deliver --> activate
  present --> monitor
  activate --> monitor
  monitor --> manage
  manage --> reissue
  manage --> suspend
  manage --> terminate
```

* **Requesting card issuance** — you present an issuance request for a verified customer, an account belonging to them, and a card product. The request goes to Synctera's card vendor, who issues the card.
* **Presenting the card to the customer** — a physical card is delivered by mail; a virtual card's details are presented digitally through a secure channel.
* **Activating the card** — automatic for a virtual card. A physical card requires the customer to prove they received it.
* **Monitoring the card** — you are alerted to irregularities in card use.
* **Managing the card** — you respond to customer activity, requests, and security alerts, changing card data and status when appropriate.
* **Reissuing the card** — a new card replaces one that expired, was damaged, lost, or stolen, or that needs to change appearance or program.
* **Suspending the card** — temporarily blocking use, for suspected but unconfirmed fraud, or when a customer thinks they have misplaced their card.
* **Terminating the card** — permanently disabling the card, with no replacement.

## Card Status

The `status.card_status` field tracks where a card is in that life:

| Status | Meaning |
| - | - |
| `PENDING` | The card has been requested but not yet issued. Check `status.pending_reasons` to see what it is waiting for. |
| `UNACTIVATED` | The card has been issued but not activated, and cannot be used. |
| `ACTIVE` | The card is available for full use. |
| `SUSPENDED` | The card is temporarily blocked and cannot be used until returned to active. |
| `TERMINATED` | The card may no longer be used. This is final. |
| `REJECTED` | The issuance request was rejected. |

A card sits in `PENDING` when something must happen before it can be manufactured. The `pending_reasons` object says which:

* `is_waiting_for_pin` — the card product's `pin_issuance_policy` is `REQUIRED` and no PIN has been set yet.
* `is_waiting_for_image` — the card uses a custom image that has not yet been uploaded and approved.
* `is_waiting_for_bulk_shipment` — the card ships as part of a bulk order that has not been released.

<Note>
  You can set only `ACTIVE`, `SUSPENDED`, and `TERMINATED` through [Update Card](/v2/reference/updatecard). The other statuses are set by the Synctera platform as the card moves through issuance.
</Note>

## Fulfillment Status

The `card_fulfillment_status` tracks digital presentation for virtual cards, and manufacturing and delivery for physical cards, separately from card status:

| Fulfillment status | Meaning |
| - | - |
| `DIGITALLY_PRESENTED` | A virtual card has been issued. This issuance is instant and the card is automatically activated and ready for use. |
| `ISSUED` | A physical card has been issued, but the order has not yet been sent to the fulfillment provider. |
| `ORDERED` | The physical card order request has been sent to the fulfillment provider, who has successfully processed the order. |
| `SHIPPED` | The physical card has been shipped to the cardholder. Tracking is available for all shipping methods except `LOCAL_MAIL`. |
| `REJECTED` | The physical card order failed. |
| `REISSUED` | A physical card has been reissued. The card will go through the same fulfillment flow as new card issuance. |

Fulfillment status is distinct from [card status](#card-status). A card can be `SHIPPED` while its card status is still `UNACTIVATED` — delivery and usability are tracked separately.