How to Use Alipay and WeChat Pay as a Foreigner in China

Alipay or WeChat Pay: Which Do You Need?

Get both. Most shops, canteens and taxis accept either, but each has places where it is clearly the better choice.

	Alipay (支付宝)	WeChat Pay (微信支付)
Best for	Shopping, metro and bus QR codes, travel bookings, Didi and maps inside one app	Paying friends, splitting bills in group chats, campus and restaurant mini-programs
English interface	Yes	Yes (follows your phone language)
Link a foreign Visa / Mastercard	Yes	Yes
Fee with a foreign card	Free up to ¥200 per payment; 3% above	Free up to ¥200 per payment; 3% above
Transfers to friends with only a foreign card	Limited — often not supported	Limited — depends on verification
With a Chinese bank card linked	Full features, no foreign-card fee	Full features, no foreign-card fee

Before You Fly: 6-Step Setup

1. Download both apps from your home app store (search “Alipay” and “WeChat”). Some features are harder to install once you are in China.
2. Register with your current phone number. Foreign numbers are accepted; make sure you can receive SMS codes when you land.
3. Verify your identity with your passport. Your name must match your passport and card exactly — watch for middle names, hyphens and spaces.
4. Add a Visa or Mastercard. Other networks sometimes work, but do not rely on a less common card as your only option.
5. Tell your bank you are travelling and allow international and online transactions, so the first payment is not blocked as fraud.
6. Keep a backup: a second card from a different bank and a small amount of RMB cash for your first day.

How to Set Up Alipay

1. Open Alipay and sign up with your phone number.
2. Go to Account → Identity information (wording may differ slightly) and upload a clear photo of your passport.
3. Tap Add card and enter your Visa or Mastercard details. Confirm with your bank’s verification if prompted.
4. Make a small test payment (under ¥200) at a convenience store in your first days to check everything works.

How to Set Up WeChat Pay

1. Create a WeChat account with your phone number. New accounts are sometimes asked for verification by an existing WeChat user — ask a friend or classmate if this happens.
2. Go to Me → Services (Pay and Services) → Wallet → Cards and add your card.
3. Complete real-name verification with your passport when prompted. Approval can take from minutes to a few days.
4. Test with a small payment before you need it for something important.

How to Pay: Scan or Be Scanned

Method	When you see it	What to do
Scan the merchant’s QR code (扫一扫)	A QR code stuck on the counter, common at small shops, stalls and canteens	Tap Scan, enter the amount, confirm, then show the shopkeeper your success screen
Show your payment code (付款码)	Supermarkets, chain stores, cafés with a scanner	Open Pay / Receive (Alipay) or Money → Pay (WeChat) and let the cashier scan your code

Tip: pay only to a business QR code. Personal QR codes (used for transfers between individuals) often reject foreign cards.

Fees and Limits for Foreign Cards

Item	What applies	Source
Payment fee	None for single payments of ¥200 or less; 3% on the whole amount above ¥200	Platform terms (check in-app)
Single-payment limit	Up to about US$5,000	State Council payment guide
Annual limit	Up to about US$50,000	State Council payment guide
Your home bank	Foreign transaction or currency conversion fees may be added	Your bank’s card terms

Needs verification: individual banks and merchants can set lower limits, and platform fee promotions change often. Confirm current figures in each app before large payments.

For Exchange Students: Link a Chinese Bank Card

If you are staying a full semester or longer, opening a Chinese bank account is the single biggest upgrade. Linking it to Alipay and WeChat Pay removes the 3% foreign-card fee, lets you send money to friends and landlords, receive red packets (红包), top up your transport and phone balances, and withdraw your balance.

• What you usually need: passport, visa or residence permit, a Chinese phone number, and often a university admission letter or student card.
• Where: major banks such as Bank of China, ICBC, China Construction Bank or Agricultural Bank of China. Ask your university international office which branch near campus is used to opening accounts for students.
• Timing: usually in your first one to two weeks, after you have a local SIM card.

Needs verification: document requirements vary by bank, branch and visa type. Check with your university and the bank before you go.

Paying for Transport, Bikes and Rides

• Metro and buses: in many cities, including Hangzhou, you can pay with a transit QR code (乘车码) inside Alipay or WeChat. Setup differs by city and needs mobile data.
• Shared bikes: scan the bike’s QR code with Alipay or WeChat; a deposit or verification may be needed first.
• Didi (ride-hailing): available as a mini-program inside both apps, so you do not need a separate app to start.

More in our guide to getting around China.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Problem	Likely cause	What to try
Card declined	Your bank blocked a foreign or online transaction	Approve it in your banking app or call your bank; try your backup card
“Not supported” message	Personal QR code, transfer, top-up or unsupported mini-program	Ask the merchant for their business code, or let them scan your payment code
Verification stuck	Name or passport number does not match exactly	Re-enter details exactly as printed on the passport; wait up to a few days
Unexpected fee	Payment above ¥200 on a foreign card	Link a Chinese bank card once you have one

FAQ

Do I need a Chinese phone number?

Not to register — foreign numbers work. A Chinese number makes verification, bank accounts and some services much easier, so get a local SIM in your first week. See SIM card and data.

Is cash still accepted?

Yes, cash is legal tender and should be accepted, but some small vendors rarely handle it and may not have change. Carry a small amount as a backup.

Can I withdraw my balance to my home bank?

No — balances can only be withdrawn to a Chinese bank card. Keep your balance low if you only have a foreign card.

Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay?

Only in limited places with international card terminals. Do not rely on them for daily life in China.

Official Sources to Check

• Payment service guide for overseas visitors to China — State Council (English)
• Overseas bank cards accepted by Weixin Pay and Alipay — Beijing Chaoyang District government
• In-app help: Alipay → Account → Help; WeChat → Me → Services → Wallet → Help Center

Last updated: September 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check and correct it.

Related Guides

• Free China Exchange Checklist
• Before You Go: Pre-Departure Checklist
• Monthly Student Budget in China
• Renting an Apartment in China as a Student
• Trains, Metro & Getting Around