China is making it much easier for foreigners to use mobile pay (2024)

FAQs

China is making it much easier for foreigners to use mobile pay? ›

BEIJING — Foreign visitors to China can now spend up to $2,000 a year using the mobile app Alipay without having to register their ID, the app operator said Friday. That's four times more than the previous limit of $500, a move that will impact international tourists the most.

Foreign employees and visitors in China can now pay with international cards, such as Mastercard or Visa, by scanning QR codes online or directly on site. The Ecovis experts explain the new cashless payment options.

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Is it possible to use Alipay without a Chinese bank account? Yes, Alipay has a feature for non-Chinese users called Tour Pass. This is a 90-day service that allows foreigners, particularly tourists, to use Alipay with international banking information.

In 2024, WeChat Pay is made accessible to tourists in China, allowing them to make payments across a vast range of services and merchants. By linking their international Visa cards to their WeChat account, visitors can seamlessly transact in the country's predominantly cashless society.

Mobile payments took off in China thanks to a savvy decision by Alipay to use QR, or Quick Response, codes to handle such transactions. The technology was developed by Japanese company Denso Wave in 1994 for the automotive industry, but it was the Chinese who seized on its promise as a way to handle mobile payments.

“China is one of the top countries for using cashless payment systems, but penetration is not 100%,” says Sara Hsu, an associate professor at the University of Tennessee, specialising in supply chain management. “Elderly Chinese still often prefer to pay with cash and some struggle with using mobile payments.”

From now on, foreigners who bind their international cards with WeChat Pay can use mobile payments at a vast majority of merchants in mainland China, including dining, transportation, hotels, and supermarkets.

Yes it is. Alipay is developed and operated by Ant Group, which is a financial technology company owned by Alibaba. Alipay has implemented multiple security measures to protect users' funds and private data. Besides this, Alipay has partnered with financial institutions to implement a stringent fund supervision system.

WeChat Pay may be better if the majority of your income is earned and spent in China, and you are looking for an online payment system that integrates into China's most popular social media platform. But if global convenience for financial services is a priority for you, consider Alipay.

Most places will only be able to accept payments made with international credit cards, if the card is linked and payment is made through China Payment Apps like WeChat and Alipay. More importantly, cashless payment has become a way of life for the Chinese (they have a 86% penetration rate for mobile payments).

Does China accept Apple Pay? ›

* In China mainland, you can use Apple Pay on the web in Safari only on compatible iPhone and iPad models using iOS 11.2 or later.

WeChat Pay is available for both Chinese and international users, making it convenient for foreigners to make cashless transactions while traveling or living in China.

Zelle (/zɛl/) is a United States–based digital payments network run by a private financial services company owned by the banks Bank of America, Truist, Capital One, JPMorgan Chase, PNC Bank, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo.

Different Financial Systems

In the USA, the financial system is still heavily reliant on traditional banking and credit card networks, and there are still many regulations in place that make it difficult to implement mobile payment systems.

It is worth making sure you always have a range of payment options available during your travel to China – for example, cash, WeChat Pay or Alipay and a foreign bank card (as well as a Chinese contact who can pay for you if all else fails).

1. Opening WeChat Wallet: After linking your China bank card, your WeChat Wallet will be activated automatically. If you've linked an international banking card, you may need to wait for up to 24 hours for the wallet to be activated. Therefore, it is recommended for you to do this 1-2 days before your trip to China.

WeChat Pay is available in the US too. It was first launched for Chinese tourists visiting the US, but it's now become a handy mobile payment option for expats and international students living here. Not all stores and websites accept WeChat Pay as a payment method though.

Mobile Payment: Alipay and WeChat Pay (How to Use Them) Alipay and WeChat are the most commonly used payment apps. As we mentioned before, Alipay is recommended for international visitors because setting it up is expected to be easier and less prone to issues.

Foreign visitors to China can now spend up to $2,000 a year using the mobile app Alipay without having to register their ID, the app operator said Friday.