Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for processing a background visual effect. The method is registering dependence resources, running parameters and handlers corresponding to respective visual effect modes of a background, selecting a visual effect mode corresponding to the background according to a running instruction, and initializing the dependence resource, the running parameter and the handler corresponding to the selected visual effect mode to control the background to enter the running status of the selected visual effect mode, and switching the current running visual effect mode of the background according to a received switching instruction. Through the method and the apparatus for processing a background visual effect, background visual effects can be shared in different scenarios, the variety of background visual effects which can be implemented in the same scenario is enriched and the effect of user experience is improved.