> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.memberply.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.memberply.com/membership-applications/collect-payment-after-approval.md).

# Collect payment after approval

Connect an application program to a paid membership tier when applicants must qualify before they can purchase access.

Supported paid tiers include monthly, annual, and one-time payment memberships. The tier controls the price, billing frequency, and benefits. The application program controls who can apply and who is authorized to purchase.

## How the paid approval flow works

1. The customer submits the application. If an optional application fee is charged on submission, they pay that fee before review.
2. Your team reviews and approves the application.
3. If an application fee is charged after approval, Memberply requests that fee first and waits for confirmed payment. Memberply then authorizes that Shopify customer to purchase the exact connected membership tier.
4. The applicant receives a private purchase link when the paid approval email is enabled.
5. The applicant signs in to the approved Shopify customer account. When signing in from the private purchase link, they return to that membership payment page automatically.
6. From the private purchase link, the applicant reviews the first payment and renewal price. A single payment option is already selected. If the tier offers monthly and annual options, they choose one, then select **Continue to checkout**. Memberply prepares the membership and goes directly to Shopify checkout. The normal membership product page remains available too.
7. Shopify checkout validates the approval.
8. Membership access and benefits begin after Shopify confirms payment.

The approval is connected to the exact application, Shopify customer, and membership tier. It cannot be reused for a different tier or another customer.

The application fee is optional and separate from the membership price. See [Application fee](/membership-applications/optional-application-fee.md) to configure its amount and timing and understand the separate fee payment flow. Payment confirmation can take about a minute to appear in Memberply.

## Checkout protection

Paid applications require Memberply's checkout validation rule. This prevents shared purchase links and blocks carts that do not match an active approval.

Memberply automatically creates or updates **Memberply checkout protection** when a program is published. The rule is enabled and configured to block checkout when validation encounters an error. Existing stores only need to reconnect Memberply and approve the latest Shopify permissions. After approval, Memberply automatically creates or repairs the rule for published paid application programs. A rule you have disabled in Shopify is not automatically re-enabled. Open an Exclusive Product Access benefit editor and choose **Enable shared checkout protection** explicitly when you want protection active again. Until then, the shared rule does not enforce application approval.

At checkout, Memberply confirms that:

* The buyer is signed in.
* The approval belongs to that Shopify customer.
* The cart contains the exact approved membership tier.
* The application approval has not expired.
* The approval has not already been used.

If the tier has an active [scheduled open enrollment](/membership-applications/schedule-open-enrollment.md), customers can purchase it without an application approval during that period. Normal approval protection resumes automatically after the end date.

When the **Subscription Details** app block is present on the membership product page, Memberply disables the purchase buttons for customers who still need approval and explains that they must submit an application first. Signed-in customers with a pending application see **Application pending**. Approved customers can use the normal purchase buttons, and Memberply securely includes their application approval with the cart line.

## Optional approval expiry

Set an approval expiry when an approved applicant should complete payment within a defined period.

When an unused approval expires, Memberply:

* Removes its Shopify purchase authorization.
* Changes the application to **Approval expired**.
* Sends the expiry email when enabled.
* Preserves any other valid approvals the customer may have.

Leave the expiry setting blank when the approval should remain available until it is used or manually changed.

## Test the flow before launch

Use a Shopify development or staging store with test payments:

1. Submit a paid application.
2. Approve it in Memberply.
3. Open the purchase link while signed out and confirm access is blocked.
4. Sign in as a different customer and confirm access is blocked.
5. Sign in as the approved customer and complete a test payment.
6. Confirm the application becomes active.
7. Confirm the expected customer tags and membership benefits are present.
8. Confirm the same approval cannot be purchased again.

## Application fee credit

If the application was submitted with application-fee credit enabled, the approval link applies a single-use credit to the customer’s first membership checkout. The membership product’s renewal prices remain unchanged. Product and order discounts cannot combine with this credit. See [Application fee credit and refunds](/membership-applications/optional-application-fee.md#use-a-refundable-application-deposit) for eligibility, expiry and refund behaviour.

## Saved details and subscription consent

The approval link still requires the approved customer to sign in and confirm payment. Approval alone does not charge a card or activate membership.

Shopify can use the signed-in customer's available details. Customers using Shop Pay may also have saved payment and billing information available after verification. An earlier application-fee payment does not guarantee that a card is saved. Customers might need to enter details or complete bank authentication.

Shopify adds its subscription agreement when a recurring membership is in checkout. Customers review the recurring amount and frequency before confirming payment. Memberply does not collect card details or bypass this confirmation.

The payment page shows the first membership payment including the joining fee and any configured application-fee credit, followed by the regular renewal price. Taxes, shipping and the final payable total are confirmed by Shopify checkout. Any trial or scheduled billing settings still apply.

For example, a $1 credited application fee and a $1,500 joining fee leave $1,499 of the joining fee to pay, plus the first period's dues. The credit applies only to the first membership payment.

For development-store testing, check both an ordinary card checkout and Shop Pay where available. Confirm that the $1 credit is applied once, the first payment includes the remaining joining fee, future renewals contain only dues, and benefits activate only after successful payment. Also retry the approval page before payment and check that it does not add duplicate membership lines.