Thankfully, the Chinese authorities have recognised this and have launched a new push to optimise payment services for use by foreign nationals. This comes as part of a raft of measures to encourage people to visit China and make life easier for them when they do (which includes waiving visa requirements for citizens of a growing number of countries).

In mid-March this year, the State Council and the People’s Bank of China released the ‘Guide to Payment Services in China’, which details a number of payment options for foreign nationals.

WeChat Pay/Alipay

As of the end of July 2023, both WeChat Pay and Alipay allow users to link an international bank card, including Mastercard, Visa, JCB, and Diners Club (read our guide on the set-up process for WeChat here). This can then be used to pay for things via online platforms or by scanning a QR code in stores and restaurants. It should be noted that foreign nationals can only use WeChat Pay and Alipay to pay companies or merchants i.e. you cannot send money to or accept money from individual users.

Following the release of the latest guidelines, the transaction limits for foreign nationals using mobile payment services have also been increased from US$1,000 (approx. RMB 7,233 or £790) to US$5,000 (approx. RMB 36,166 or £3,945) for single transactions, with the annual transaction limit increasing from $10,000 to $50,000.

Foreign users can now complete the initial activation of WeChat Pay without a Chinese SIM card and make payments up to a cumulative limit of RMB 15,000 for a certain amount of time (as yet unspecified) without verification.

e-CNY

China has been pushing the use of the e-CNY (the digital form of the Renminbi – also known as China’s Central Bank Digital Currency) for both locals and foreign visitors in recent years, with the long-term goal of fully replacing the physical CNY.

The e-CNY is accessible to foreign visitors through the e-CNY app. Users can register with a foreign phone number (no Chinese SIM card required) and then link an international card, including Visa and Mastercard. The wallet can then be topped up and used to make transactions in a similar way to WeChat Pay or Alipay.

Bank cards

Of course, many visitors would prefer to just use their bank card rather than setting up a new mobile payment service.

China says that it is encouraging merchants to accept international bank cards and that they should be accepted anywhere that displays the logo of an international card issuer. And it is certainly true that many hotels, larger restaurants and international chain stores, especially in cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, do accept international bank cards. However, smaller merchants or merchants in more remote areas often won’t have the facilities to accept international cards (or simply may not be willing to accept them due to high fees).

Cash

Cash may not be the preferred payment method anymore, but it remains widely accepted. In fact, the authorities have recently strengthened legislation defining the rejection of RMB cash as unlawful.

Foreign visitors can withdraw cash with a wide range of foreign bank cards at designated ATMs.

While these measures are a step in the right direction, their implementation and enforcement can be patchy. 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).

The post How China is making payments easier for foreign visitors appeared first on Focus - China Britain Business Council.

Thankfully, in July 2023, WeChat announced that it would start facilitating the use of Visa, Mastercard, JCB and other international cards for payments in China via WeChat Pay (sometimes known as Weixin Pay). This follows a similar move by Alipay in May 2023. WeChat has been trialling the ability for users to add international cards since 2019, but efforts had fallen by the wayside during the pandemic.

How to add an international card on WeChat Pay

To get started adding an internationally-issued card to your WeChat Pay, you will need:

• Your identity document (for Brits, this will most likely be your passport, but the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, Residence Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, and Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents are also accepted)
• A mobile phone number that can receive SMS verification codes (does not have to be a Chinese number)
• Your debit or credit card (must be the same name as the name on your identity document)

Then, take the following steps (the WeChat interface is available in English, so it should be fairly self-explanatory):

1. Open WeChat and then tap “Me” in the bottom right-hand corner
2. Tap “Services” and then “Wallet”
3. If you haven’t already, you’ll be prompted to fill in your identity information for real-name authentication. Simply follow the steps on screen
4. When prompted, select “Add Bank Card”
5. Enter the card number, select the type of card, and the issuing organisation. Fill in the required card and personal information
6. Once you have filled out your information and clicked “submit”, an SMS verification code will be sent to your phone number. Enter the code to complete the verification process
7. You may also be prompted to create a 6-digit payment password

Where can you use WeChat Pay once you’ve linked your international card?

International cards can be used for everyday transactions in mainland China by scanning a QR code to pay or presenting your payment code or for in-app payments for things like e-commerce, food delivery and ride-hailing.

You won’t be able to send or accept money transfers or red packets (these can only be used if you have a mainland China bank account).

Are there any spending limits or transaction fees?

WeChat waives transaction fees for any single transaction under RMB 200 – very handy for everyday spending in small shops and restaurants. Above RMB 200, the transaction fee is 3%.

There is a limit of RMB 6,000 per transaction and a cumulative monthly spending limit of RMB 50,000.

Can you add international cards on Alipay?

Alipay also allows you to link a Visa, Mastercard or other international card, and the process is similar to linking a card to WeChat Pay. You will also need to have your identity documents to hand to complete real-name authentication.

The post How to set up an international card on WeChat Pay appeared first on Focus - China Britain Business Council.