How Long Does It Take to Open a Letter of Credit?
What affects how long it takes to open a Letter of Credit, and how to avoid delays.
Reviewed by LCCheck team (owner-approved) · 2026-10-12
Short answer
Opening a Letter of Credit can take from a day to several weeks. Once an importer has an approved credit line, issuing the MT700 can be quick; first-time applicants, credit approvals, compliance checks and back-and-forth over terms take longer. Amendments after issuance add more time.
| Fastest case | Existing credit line, clean application |
|---|---|
| Slower | New customer, credit approval, compliance checks |
| Avoid | Amendments after issuance |
What drives time
- Importer's credit approval or collateral.
- Know-your-customer and sanctions checks.
- Disagreements on terms.
- Advising bank handling.
Tips
- Start credit line approval early.
- Agree a draft with the exporter.
- Fill in the application accurately.
Sources
- ICC — UCP 600 (Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits)
- US International Trade Administration — Letters of Credit
General guidance, not legal advice. Your bank examines documents independently.
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