Go2ChinaHow to Set Up Alipay as a Foreigner (2026)
Alipay (支付宝) is China's dominant mobile payment platform, processing over 1 billion transactions per day. Since 2023, Alipay has fully opened to international visitors — you can now add a Visa, Mastercard, or Amex card directly without a Chinese bank account, and use it anywhere Alipay is accepted in China. This covers the vast majority of shops, restaurants, transport, and services.
What You Need
- An international phone number (any country)
- A Visa, Mastercard, or Amex card (credit or debit)
- A passport (for identity verification)
- 10–15 minutes
Step-by-Step Setup
Download Alipay
Search "Alipay" on the App Store or Google Play. The international version (same app) is available worldwide.
Register with your phone number
Open the app and tap Sign Up. Enter your international phone number with country code. Enter the SMS verification code sent to your phone.
Select "International User"
Alipay will ask if you are a mainland China user or an international user. Select International — this unlocks the foreign card payment flow.
Complete identity verification
Tap Profile → Identity Verification. You will be asked to upload a photo of your passport and take a selfie for face recognition. This step is required to unlock full payment functionality. It takes 1–3 minutes.
Add your card
Tap the "Pay" button on the home screen, then tap "Add Card" at the bottom. Enter your Visa, Mastercard, or Amex card details. Supported cards include most major-bank issued Visa and Mastercard from US, UK, Australia, Europe, Korea, and Japan.
Set a payment PIN
You will be prompted to set a 6-digit payment PIN. This PIN is required each time you make a payment.
Test with a small payment
Find a merchant with an Alipay QR code (common at convenience stores). Tap "Pay", show your QR code, and confirm with your PIN.
How to Pay with Alipay
There are two methods for paying at any merchant:
Method 1 — Show your QR code (most common)
Tap the "Pay" (付款) button on the Alipay home screen. A QR code appears — show it to the cashier who scans it with their device. Confirm the amount and enter your PIN.
Method 2 — Scan the merchant's QR code
Tap "Scan" (扫一扫) on the Alipay home screen. Point your camera at the merchant's QR code. Enter the amount manually if prompted, then confirm with your PIN.
International Card Limits and Fees
- Single transaction limit: approximately ¥3,000 (varies by card issuer)
- Daily limit: approximately ¥50,000 for verified international users
- Currency conversion: handled by your card issuer at their standard exchange rate
- Alipay fee on international cards: 3% per transaction — waived entirely on transactions under ¥200. The 3% applies to the full amount (e.g. a ¥250 payment incurs ¥7.50 in fees, not just the ¥50 above the threshold). Local Chinese cardholders pay no fee.
Tips from Real Users
- Alipay's "Tour Pass" feature (available in the app) offers a prepaid RMB wallet loaded with your foreign card. Once topped up, you spend from the RMB balance — no 3% fee applies to individual payments from the balance.
- Verification can take up to 24 hours in rare cases — set up at home well before your trip.
- Visitors from Korea: Kakao Pay and Alipay have a cross-border integration — you may be able to pay at some Alipay merchants directly from Kakao Pay without a separate Alipay account.
- WeChat Pay is equally accepted everywhere Alipay is — if you already have WeChat, add a card to WeChat Pay as a backup.
- Keep your Alipay PIN separate from your bank PIN — if you forget it, recovery requires re-verification.
Alipay vs WeChat Pay — Which Should You Use?
Both are accepted at virtually the same merchants across China. Alipay has a slightly smoother onboarding flow for international users, particularly for the identity verification step. WeChat Pay is the better choice if you already have WeChat set up for messaging — you can add a card directly in the WeChat Wallet without a separate app. Most experienced travelers use both: set up Alipay first to ensure you have a reliable payment method, then add a card to WeChat Pay as a backup. Having both takes less than 20 minutes total and gives you a fallback if one platform has a temporary issue.
Search go2china pay guide to find this page again, or visit go2china.app for the full app toolkit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners use Alipay in China?
Yes. Since 2023, Alipay fully supports international visitors. You can register with a foreign phone number, verify identity with a passport, and add a Visa, Mastercard, or Amex card. No Chinese bank account is required.
Which cards work with Alipay for foreigners?
Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards issued by most international banks are supported. This includes cards from the US, UK, Australia, Europe, South Korea, and Japan. Prepaid cards and some debit cards may not be accepted — a standard credit card from a major bank works most reliably.
Do I need to set up Alipay before arriving in China?
Yes — strongly recommended. The identity verification step requires uploading a passport scan and completing face recognition, which is significantly easier with fast, unrestricted internet. Attempting setup on a congested airport or hotel network inside China frequently causes failures.
How long does Alipay verification take?
Identity verification usually completes in 1–3 minutes. In rare cases it can take up to 24 hours for manual review. Set up Alipay at least a day before your trip in case review is needed.
What is the Alipay Tour Pass?
The Alipay Tour Pass is a prepaid RMB wallet loaded with your foreign card, available inside the Alipay app under the 'Tour Pass' section. It lets you top up a fixed amount in yuan and spend from that balance, which can reduce foreign transaction fees compared to per-transaction card charges.
Is Alipay or WeChat Pay better for foreigners?
Both are accepted at virtually the same merchants across China. Alipay has a slightly smoother setup flow for foreigners, particularly for identity verification. WeChat Pay is more convenient if you already use WeChat for messaging. Most experienced travelers set up both — it takes about 20 minutes total and gives you a backup if one has issues.
Recommended Apps
Alipay is one of many essential apps for visiting China. See the full list.
Explore all China apps →Real Experiences from Other Travelers
Everyone's situation is different — visa type, phone carrier, and timing all affect outcomes. See what others have reported and adjust based on your own circumstances.