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setup · Last verified: 2026-10
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.
Step by step
- 1Use a Visa or Mastercard from a major bank (Chase, HSBC, Barclays, Citibank, Standard Chartered, etc.).
- 2Before linking: enable 3D Secure (Verified by Visa / Mastercard ID Check) through your bank's app or website.
- 3Also enable international/online transactions if your bank has that setting.
- 4In Alipay: Me → Bank Cards → Add Card. In WeChat: Me → Services → Wallet → Bank Cards → Add Card.
- 5If rejected, try a different Visa/Mastercard — success is often card-specific, not account-specific.
Common mistakes
- !American Express is generally not accepted in tourist mode.
- !Prepaid travel cards (Travelex, airport-issued cards) frequently fail — use a regular debit or credit card.
- !Wise and Revolut Visa cards work reliably if your primary card fails.