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[How To]: Use Alipay or WeChat Pay Without A Chinese Bank Card

The most frequently question on the (hyper-popular) article on how foreigners can use Alipay is "what if I don't have a Chinese bank card"? Here's the easiest solution so far. It's called Tourcard (formerly called Tourpass). It rolled out a while ago, and we waited for this to prove itself in the real world. There have been many promises over the years about opening Alipay up to foreign cards, but now five people we know have done it successfully. Seems legit! The intended user is a traveler or someone who, for some reason, doesn't want to sign up for a bank card in China, but there's no reason you can't use it. It's super easy.

1 Option #1: Tourcard

Tourcard (previously called Tourpass) is a service provided by the Bank of Shanghai intended to by used by travelers or anyone who needs to make payments in China and doesn't have a Chinese bank account.

It's super easy.

Who can use it? From the app:

Anyone above the age of 18 with a foreign passport and a foreign credit card. They currently support:

• Diners Club
• International

and your bank needs to support 3D secure.

They charge 5% per transaction , and the limit it capped at 10k total.

You won't need a Chinese phone number for TourCard, but you do need one for setting up your Alipay or WeChat account before you can use TourCard. 

Also note that it expires 180 days after the setup.

Search for it on Alipay or WeChat, then follow the verification steps before you can top it up with your credit card.

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2 Option #2 Directly Through Alipay

You can also link a foreign credit card to your Alipay account. There are no transaction fees for payments below 200rmb and a 3% fee for those above 200rmb, so it's cheaper than Tourcard.

Other limitations are 3,000 rmb for a single transaction and, 50,000 rmb per month and 60,000 per year.

Generally speaking, we hear that using Alipay with a foreign credit card is a bit hit-and-miss, it sometimes works, and sometimes doesn't. Apparently, it's not available for all transaction types.

To set it up, you must have passed the real-name verification, which can be a hassle that takes a day or two. Click on the Settings icon at the top, then Account and Security, then "Real Name Verification" and follow the process.

Once you are verified, go back to your account and select "Bank Cards" to add your foreign credit card.

3 Option #3 Relative Cards in WeChat

If you have a family member or friend in China, they can give a Relative Card to you, which allows you to pay using WeChat pay and the money will be deducted from your friend account. There's currently a 3k rmb monthly limit, and each person can only add a small number of family members.

To set it up, your friend or family member clicks on " Discover " -> " Services " > " Wallet " > " Relative Cards ". 

They select a monthly limit that you may spend, and that's it, you can now start using WeChat pay up to the monthly limit.

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A Comprehensive Guide to Alipay for Foreigners 2024

• January 5, 2024
• Sophie Zhang

Alipay, the eWallet mobile app that’s a hit among locals, is now open to foreigners. For years, Alipay was exclusively for those with Chinese bank accounts. But times have changed!

Alipay supports international credit cards; you can link it to your foreign credit or bank card without real-name verification and a Chinese phone number.

It also offers a ‘tour card’ program that gives foreigners access to the app for 90 days (warning: many users cannot receive verification code to register tour card by the phone number they provide, if you come across the same situation, ignore ‘tour card’ section).

This article is your one-stop guide to understanding how you can utilize this breakthrough, I personally tested Alipay payment on 3/17/2024, and it worked perfectly!

Once you set things up, Alipay can be your financial companion during your stay in China, making transactions as easy as a tap on your phone.

Alipay for Foreigners: Binding International Credit/Debit Card

Alipay for Foreigners: How to Pay for Things

The merchant scans you:, you scan the merchant:.

At the same time, you can also use it to take public transportation such as subways and buses .

Alternative Payment Method for Foreigners in Shanghai

Alternatives such as physical credit card, ATMs, WeChat payment can be used.

• Robust security features for funds and personal information protection
• Multi-currency supports where I can spend money abroad in the local currency without incurring high foreign transaction fees
• Global Spending and Withdrawal: The Revolut physical card can be used worldwide, wherever Visa or Mastercard (depending on the card issuer for Revolut in your region) is accepted. Additionally, you can use the card to withdraw money from ATMs around the globe, often with favorable exchange rates and low fees.
• Withdraw Cash in Shanghai : To ensure you have access to cash during your stay in Shanghai, ATMs are a reliable option. Most major ATMs, such as ICBC, CBC, and BOC, accept foreign bank cards.
• Similar to Alipay, WeChat Pay for foreigners also requires passport verification for foreigners to use their payment services. However, signing up WeChat and binding international cards may be challenging.

They might not quite replicate the Alipay experience, but they certainly help bridge the gap for foreigners dealing with Chinese transactions. As we embrace an increasingly interconnected world, who knows? Maybe sometime soon, we’ll enjoy a truly global payment solution that cuts across borders and nationalities.

Alipay for Foreigners: Tourcard (If Your Phone Number Can Receive Verification Code)

Warning: many users mention that they cannot receive verification code using their local mobile phone number, so tourcard may not be applicable nowadays, or it is not applicable for some countries, if you have any updates about tourcard, please keep us updated (mailto: [email protected]) and we will update in here to benefit more people.

Alipay, is accessible to foreigners through a 90-day ‘tour card’ program or by linking a foreign credit/bank card, marking a significant shift as previously only Chinese bank accounts could be linked to the app (tourcard is the newest version of retired ‘tourpass’ program).

• Identity Verification Process: Begin the identity verification process, which includes uploading your passport (or similar identity document) and a photo verification.
• Enter Detailed Personal Information: This includes filling in tax residency information and selecting your occupation. If you can’t find your exact occupation, you can choose any relevant one.
• Enter English Address and Email (Optional)
• Agree to Terms and Conditions: Check all the boxes for the usage instructions, personal information usage, and other declarations.
• Review and Confirm Personal Data Authorization: Click on the blue link at the bottom to read the TourCard personal data authorization statement and confirm after reading.
• Submit the Application: After completing the above steps, submit your application for the TourCard.
• Set Up Payment Password: Once your application is submitted, you’ll need to set up a payment password.
• View Your Card Number: To view your complete TourCard number for binding Alipay with your TourCard

This feature provides access to a 90-day pass that offers foreigners the same Alipay convenience experienced by the locals.

Alipay for Foreigners in Asia: Alipay+

Alipay is expanding its network to include 10 key e-wallets throughout Asia to facilitate travel and spending for foreigners in China, under the “Alipay+” cross-border payments program. This expansion is set to ease consumer accessibility to East and Southeast Asian tourists .

With this expansion, accessing and using their money while traveling in China will become a piece of cake. Here are a complete comparisons between Alipay and Alipay+:

• Alipay : Primarily targets users in China, offering a comprehensive range of services including mobile payments, online shopping, and financial services.
• Alipay+ : Targets a global audience, focusing on connecting merchants and consumers across different countries and regions. It’s designed to help merchants outside of China accept payments from various mobile payment methods used by Chinese and other Asian consumers.
• Alipay : Provides a digital wallet service, online shopping payment management, bill payments, and various financial services like wealth management, loans, and insurance.
• Alipay+ : Offers cross-border payment solutions, allowing merchants to accept payments from various mobile payment platforms like Alipay, WeChat Pay, GCash (Philippines), KakaoPay (South Korea), and more. It’s more about facilitating international transactions.
• Alipay : Functions as a standalone app and platform offering a wide range of digital financial services.
• Alipay+ : Acts more as a bridge or aggregator, enabling merchants to access multiple payment methods through a single integration. It simplifies the process for merchants to accept payments from different mobile wallets and payment systems.
• Alipay : Concentrates on the Chinese market, with features and services tailored to Chinese consumers.
• Alipay+ : Focuses on expanding the reach of Chinese payment methods to Asian markets, allowing Asian merchants to tap into the vast user base of these payment systems.
• Alipay : Used by merchants primarily within China or those targeting Chinese consumers directly.
• Alipay+ : Encourages adoption by international merchants, offering them a way to access customers from various Asian countries who use different mobile payment apps.

Bottom Line

Please note that this information is based on the latest update from the website as of March 17, 2024, and the process may vary slightly depending on your location and the specific requirements at the time of your application.

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