How long does a chargeback take to resolve?

The timeline

1. The dispute arrives. The amount (and on Shopify Payments a fee) is taken straight away.
2. You respond. Usually within 7 to 21 days on Stripe and Shopify Payments; your processor's due date is the one that counts. Work out yours with the time limit calculator.
3. The bank decides. Stripe says issuers typically take 60 to 75 days; Shopify says the review can take up to 75 days. If you win on Shopify Payments, the amount and the fee are returned.
4. Escalation, sometimes. On Visa consumer disputes the issuer can open pre-arbitration if it rejects your evidence, then arbitration, where the card network decides. Stripe doesn't support arbitration, so Stripe disputes end at the issuer's decision.

PayPal is different

PayPal runs its own process: a buyer can open a dispute within 180 days, either side can escalate it to a claim, and merchants have 10 days to respond to a claim. PayPal usually decides within about 14 days, though complex cases can take 30 days or longer. If the buyer goes to their card issuer instead, it becomes a chargeback and the bank decides.

While you wait

One response is usually allowed per stage, so there is nothing to add after you submit. Use the time to stop the next one: screen orders before they ship and answer "where is my order" messages quickly.