Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use Alipay or WeChat Pay?

Start with Alipay. It has a dedicated tourist mode designed for foreigners with foreign cards, and the setup process is more straightforward. Set up WeChat Pay as a backup once Alipay works.

Which foreign cards work with Alipay and WeChat Pay?

Visa and Mastercard from most major banks work. American Express, Discover, and most prepaid travel cards do not. The card must have 3D Secure enabled.

WeChat is asking me to have a friend verify my registration — can I skip this?

You can't skip it, but you don't need to know someone in China beforehand. Ask your hotel front desk staff, a guide, or post in a travel forum — most people are happy to scan your code.

My card keeps getting rejected when I try to link it — what's wrong?

Usually either 3D Secure isn't enabled, or your bank is blocking international online transactions. Call your bank before you travel and specifically mention Alipay and WeChat Pay.

I never receive the SMS verification code — how do I register?

The most common causes are: your number doesn't support international SMS, you used a VoIP/virtual number, or there's carrier filtering. Switch to your physical SIM on cellular data and retry.

My passport verification keeps failing — what am I doing wrong?

Almost always a photo quality issue. Glare on the passport laminate is the #1 cause. Take the photo on a dark surface in even, indirect light.

Alipay won't let me do face verification — it only offers to bind a Chinese bank card

This happens in Europe and some other regions where GDPR blocks biometric face scanning. You have a few workarounds: verify after you land in China, temporarily use a non-GDPR network, or contact Alipay support for manual review.

Payment scan works but gets declined — why?

Usually your issuing bank blocking the transaction, not the app. Call your bank before traveling to enable cross-border transactions and 3D Secure.

Should I turn off my VPN when using Alipay or WeChat Pay?

Yes. Always turn off your VPN before opening Alipay or WeChat Pay. VPNs cause login failures, app crashes, and payment declines — the apps route through Chinese servers and a VPN creates conflicts.

What's the difference between a personal QR code and a merchant QR?

Merchant codes let anyone pay them (including you with a foreign card). Personal codes are for friends transferring money — you cannot pay a person's personal code with a foreign-card tourist account.

Alipay/WeChat suddenly says my account is restricted — what do I do?

Stop retrying payments immediately. Look for an in-app verification prompt, complete it if present. If told to wait, wait the full period without attempting any payment.

Alipay is asking me to verify my identity again — is this normal?

Yes, this is normal for tourist accounts. It's a security check, not a ban. Complete the re-verification with a clean passport photo and you'll be back to normal within minutes to a few hours.

What are the fees and limits for foreign cards?

Transactions under ¥200 are free. Over ¥200, a ~3% fee applies to the entire transaction amount (not just the excess). Alipay single-transaction limit is ~¥3,000; WeChat Pay is ~¥6,500. You cannot transfer money to individuals or send red packets with a foreign card.

What if I can't get Alipay or WeChat Pay working?

Bring ¥500–1000 RMB cash as a backup. Most large hotels and malls accept international cards. Convenience stores and sit-down restaurants almost always accept cash.