Point of Initiation: Static 11 vs Dynamic 12
Explain EMVCo Tag 01 Point of Initiation Method values 11 (static) and 12 (dynamic), and how amount presence should drive the correct choice.
What Tag 01 means
Point of Initiation Method (Tag 01) tells the consumer app whether the QR is reusable static merchant information (11) or a transaction-specific dynamic payload (12).
Static value 11
Use 11 for printed counter QR codes that identify the merchant without locking a single amount. The consumer usually enters the amount in the wallet. These codes are convenient for retail counters and stickers.
Dynamic value 12
Use 12 when the payload includes a transaction amount (Tag 54) or other one-time payment context. Dynamic QR codes are common for checkout screens and billed invoices.
Keep POI consistent with amount
Hard-coding 11 while also embedding an amount creates conflicting signals. EMV QR Hub sets 12 when an amount is present and 11 when it is omitted, matching common MPM expectations.