When we talk about mobile payment in China, the two most popular ones are WeChat Pay and Ailpay.
1. How can foreign travelers make payments in China via WeChat?
Foreign travelers can make payments via WeChat by linking their international credit or debit cards to the WeChat Pay platform. After entering the Chinese mainland, download the WeChat app and register for an account. Then all foreign travelers can easily set up WeChat Pay on their WeChat app and proceed to add their international cards issued by Visa, MasterCard, JCB, or Discover Global Network.
Once the cards are successfully linked, foreign users can use WeChat Pay to make payments to merchants across various sectors, including dining, shopping, transportation, and hotel accommodation.
This convenient and seamless payment method enables foreign users to “pay like a local” in China, without the need to carry cash or open a Chinese bank account.
2. What documents are required for setting up WeChat Pay?
Currently, six types of documents can be used to open a WeChat Pay account. These are:
- Passport
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
- Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
- Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents
- Residence Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
- Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents
3. How to bind foreign cards to WeChat Pay?
To bind their foreign cards to WeChat Pay, foreign travelers can follow these simple steps:
- Make sure the app is updated to its latest version.
- Open WeChat and go to the “Me” section.
- Tap on “Wallet” to access your payment options.
- Click on “Bank Card” and choose “Add a New Bank Card.”
- Enter the card number, select the type of card, and the issuing organization. Fill in the required card and personal information.
- Once everything is filled out, click “Submit.” A confirmation message will appear when the binding is successful.
After the verification, an SMS verification code will be sent to the phone number provided earlier. Enter the code to complete the verification process.
During the card binding process, the mobile phone number needed for verification should be capable of receiving SMS verification codes. Importantly, this number does not have to be a mobile phone number from mainland China, but it can also be a foreign number.
Finally, create a 6-digit payment password to ensure the security of your WeChat Pay account. Once these steps are completed, users can start using WeChat Pay with their foreign card for various transactions at millions of merchants, making payments in China as convenient as possible.
4. Are there any transaction fees?
Following the latest update, transaction fees will be waived for single transactions below RMB 200 (appx US$28, updated December 2023).
For transactions above RMB 200 (appx US$28, updated December 2023), a 3 percent transaction fee is charged. If you request a refund for a transaction, the fee will be reimbursed proportionally based on the refunded amount.
5. How is the exchange rate calculated?
The exchange rate is calculated based on the exchange rate of the card organization and of the issuing bank of the international card.
6. What are the limitations for foreign cards on WeChat Pay?
It is important to note that there are some limitations when using a foreign card with WeChat Pay.
Currently, foreign cards do not support features like red packets (known as hongbao in Chinese, a kind of monetary gift used during holidays or special occasions in China, which has also been incorporated into digital payment platforms including WeChat Pay) and direct transfers, as they are restricted to daily consumption transactions – which include direct purchases of goods and services.
Additionally, there are certain transaction limits when using foreign cards through WeChat Pay. The maximum amount for a single transaction is RMB 6,000 (appx US$840, updated December 2023), with a monthly cumulative limit of RMB 50,000 (appx US$7,006, updated December 2023) and an annual cumulative limit of 60,000 (appx US$8,408, updated December 2023).
7. Can Alipay also bind overseas cards?
Yes. In May 2023, Alipay also released a guide with the title ”All you need to know when adding overseas bank cards in Alipay.” Their international card service is quite similar to WeChat Pay in terms of recommended usage scenarios, transaction fees, and exchange rate calculations.
When it comes to transaction limits, Alipay allows a maximum of appx RMB 36,000 (US$5,000, updated March 2024) per single transaction, and RMB 360,000 (US$50,000, updated March 2024) per year.
(upgraded on Mar. 7, 2024)
