Foreign nationals traveling in the Chinese Mainland can now easily make payments using WeChat and Alipay. These mobile payment services now support the linking of bank cards issued by overseas institutions, with WeChat accepting Visa, Diners Club, Mastercard, and JCB cards, and Alipay supporting Visa, Diners Club, Mastercard, and Discover cards. By linking their international bank cards to their WeChat or Alipay accounts, international travelers can enjoy the convenience of making payments in a variety of scenarios, including dining, transportation, hotels, supermarkets, and more, using QR codes, mini-programs, or password-free deductions.

Please refer to the official guide for details:

1. Guide to Add and Use International Cards with Weixin Pay

Get ready with your international card and related identity documents

Step 1: Download or Update your WeChat app

On your mobile phone, Download or Update your WeChat app to the latest version. Register with your phone number or sign in.

Step 2: Where to find Weixin Pay

Tap “Me-Services-Wallet”

If you cannot find the options above, you can activate Weixin Pay in one of the following ways.

· At the bottom, tap “Me-Setting-General-Tools-Weixin Pay”. Tap “Enable”.

· On the top corner, tap “+”, then tap “Scan” to scan the following QR code. Tap “Enable”.

Step 3: Fill in your identity information and add a card

In “Wallet”, tap “Add a Card”. Read the “Weixin Pay User Service Agreement” and “Privacy Policy” and tap “Agree”. Follow the steps on the screen to fill in your identity information. Tap “Next” to add your card. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

Tips: If you use your passport to verify your identity, you will get a notification asking you to upload a copy of your passport.

Where can you use Weixin Pay?

Enjoy mobile payment in the following ways:

Frequently Asked Questions:

What documents can I use to set up Weixin Pay?

· Passport or People’s Republic of China Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card.

· Mainland Travel Permit or Residence Permit for HongKong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan Residents.

Do I need a Chinese Mainland (+86) phone number?

No. You can use your international phone number as long as it can receive SMS verification codes.

What kind of transactions does Weixin Pay currently support for international cards?

Currently, international cards can be used for everyday purchases within the Chinese Mainland. However, international cards do not support certain features such as red packets and money transfers etc. Please refer to the payment page for specific instructions.

Is there a transaction limit? How is the exchange rate calculated?

There is a limit of 6,000 RMB for single transactions, a cumulative limit of 50,000 RMB for monthly transactions, and a cumulative limit of 60,000 RMB for yearly transactions. The exchange rate will be calculated based on the exchange rate of the card organization and the issuing bank of your international card.

Are there any transaction fees?

Yes. However, transaction fees are waived for single transactions under 200 RMB. A three percent transaction fee will be applied for single transactions above 200 RMB. If you request a refund for a transaction, the transaction fee will be reimbursed in proportion to the refunded amount. Please refer to the payment page for details.

2. Guide to Add and Use International Cards with AliPay

Step 1: Download and register

Download Alipay App, tap “sign up” to register, choose international version

Step 2: Add bank card

Tap “Add now” and follow on-page prompts to complete the process.

Eligible bank card types

Pay with Alipay wherever you go

Option 1: Tap “Scan”, scan the merchant-presented QR code

Option 2: Tap “Pay/Collect”, present your QR code to the merchant

Source: Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality