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PayPal Invoicing defines a set of statuses that represent an invoice’s lifecycle. Most invoices follow a simple flow: DraftDuePaid (or Cancelled). An invoice starts as a draft, is sent to request payment, and finishes as paid or canceled, depending on the result.

Invoice statuses

The invoice status determines how the invoice should be interpreted and what actions are allowed at any given point.
UI statusAPI statusDescription and possible actionsNext possible status
DraftDRAFTAll invoices start in draft status. The invoice is created but not sent. It is fully editable and invisible to the payer.Due, Scheduled, Overdue (after the due date), Marked as Paid, or Deleted
DueSENT or UNPAIDThe invoice is payable.
- SENT: The invoice is sent to the customer’s registered email address through the invoicing UI.
- UNPAID: The invoice is shared through a link or QR code.
Overdue (after the due date), Paid, Partially Paid, or Canceled
OverdueSENT or UNPAIDThe invoice is payable and past due.
- SENT: The invoice is sent to the customer’s registered email address through the invoicing UI.
- UNPAID: The invoice is shared through a link or QR code.
Paid, Partially Paid, or Canceled
ScheduledSCHEDULEDThe invoice is scheduled for a future send date. The invoice is fully editable and invisible to the payer.Due (on the scheduled date), Overdue (after the due date), or Deleted
Partially PaidPARTIALLY_PAIDPartially paid with an outstanding balance.Paid when the remaining balance is collected
PaidPAID or MARKED_AS_PAID- PAID: The invoice is fully paid and settled, and is no longer payable.
-MARKED_AS_PAID: The invoice is manually marked as paid to reflect an external payment for reconciliation.
Partially Refunded, Marked as Refunded or Refunded, if you issue a refund
Payment PendingPAYMENT_PENDINGPayment is in progress but not yet completed.Paid, Partially Paid
CanceledCANCELLED or AUTO_CANCELLED- CANCELLED: The invoice is canceled, no longer payable, and retained for audit and reference.
- AUTO_CANCELLED: The invoice is automatically cancelled.
No further transitions allowed
Partially RefundedPARTIALLY_REFUNDEDThe invoice has been partially refunded, so some but not all of the original payment has been returned.No further transitions allowed
RefundedREFUNDED or MARKED_AS_REFUNDED- REFUNDED: The invoice is fully refunded.
- MARKED_AS_REFUNDED: The invoice is manually marked as refunded to show that the refund was handled outside PayPal and is used for manual reconciliation.
No further transitions allowed