WeChat Pay for foreigners in China or tourists to China
International visitors, foreigners working or studing in China can easily use mobile payments at most shops and businesses across China. This covers everything from shopping and dining to transport and hotel stays. All they need to do is link their international credit or debit cards to WeChat Pay and Alipay through the respective apps.
Guide to Add and Use International Cards with WeChat Pay
Get ready with your related identity documents and international cards.
Step 1: WeChat Download or Update, and Registration
Sign up WeChat with your phone number or a new Chinese phone number and sign in. (To find out how to buy a Chinese mobile phone SIM card and use cheap data packages in China, please read the article: Guide about access internet and must-use apps in China)
Step 2: Find the WeChat Payment Portal
Tap Me – Service -Wallet
If you cannot find the option above, you can activate WeChat Pay in one of the following ways:
- At the bottom, tap Me – Setting – General – Tools – WeChat Pay. Tap Enable.
- On the top corner, tap +, then tap Scan to scan the following QR code. Tap Enable.
Step 3: Add a card
In Wallet, tap Add a Card. You can add your card using any of the following methods. Just enter your card number, expiration date, and security code—no need to provide identity information— to add your international card.
Note: To enjoy a higher transaction limit, you can complete the identity verification process after accumulating payments of RMB 15,000.
How to use WeChat Pay
Firstly, you need to tap “Me”-“Service”-“Wallet” to set up you pay code. Then you could enjoy mobile payment in the following ways:
Method 1: Scan to pay
Method 2: Present your payment code to the offline merchants
Method 3: When paying online on Chinese websites or apps, choose WeChat Pay
Frequently asked questions:
Q: What documents can I use to set up WeChat Pay?
A: You can use a passport or a People’s Republic of China foreign permanent resident ID card. Additionally, a mainland travel permit or residence permit for Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan residents can also be used.
Q: Do I need a Chinese Mainland phone number?
A: No, you don’t need a Chinese Mainland phone number. You can use your international phone number as long as it can receive SMS verification codes.
Q: What kind of transactions does WeChat Pay currently support for international cards?
A: Currently, international cards can be used for everyday purchases within the Chinese mainland. However, you need to provide full identity information for features such as red packets and money transfers, etc.
Q: Is there a transaction limit? How is the exchange rate calculated?
A:
Money Packets: The limit per money packet is RM 1,500. The daily limit is RM5,000, and the monthly limit is RM10,000.
Quick Pay: The daily limit is RM4,999. If Pay without PIN has been turned on for Quick Pay, the Quick Pay limit is RM100 per transaction, and you are limited to five transactions per day.
Note: More information about the transaction limit
Q: Are there any transaction fees?
A: Yes, there are transaction fees. However, transaction fees are waived for single transactions under 200 RMB. A 3% 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.
Q: Is WeChat and WeChat pay safe?
A: WeChat and WeChat Pay can be considered safe for everyday use, but users should exercise caution, be mindful of their privacy, and stay informed about any potential risks or changes in the platform’s security landscape. Additionally, the perception of safety may vary depending on your location and individual concerns about data privacy and government involvement.
We hope this article helps you during your travels in China, and we will continue to update it with the latest information.
