Key Information to Know Before Getting Started
Many foreign nationals traveling or residing in mainland China face barriers to daily cashless payments, as most local mobile payment services historically required a mainland Chinese bank account. Alipay now supports direct binding of eligible overseas credit and debit cards for real-name verified foreign users, allowing payments across most mainland China consumption scenarios without opening a local bank account. The previous Tour Pass pre-paid service has been discontinued; transactions are deducted directly from the linked card per standard card network and issuer rules, with no pre-loading required.
This service applies to foreign nationals including short-term tourists, business travelers, international students, and long-term foreign employees, as well as Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents holding overseas-issued bank cards (separate verification pathways apply for users using mainland travel permits for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents).
Per Chinese financial regulatory requirements, all users must complete Alipay’s mandatory real-name verification before accessing any payment functions. All linked bank cards must be issued under the exact legal name used for identity verification.
Required Documents and Eligibility
All users must prepare the following materials before starting the registration and card binding process:
- Valid identity document: For foreign nationals, the primary accepted document is a valid, unexpired passport. Holders of a Chinese Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card (Chinese green card) may use this document for verification.
- Eligible overseas bank card: A credit or debit card issued outside mainland China, under the exact same name as the user’s identity document. Supported card networks as of 2024 include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, and Diners Club International. The card must be enabled for international/cross-border transactions and have 3D Secure (3DS) verification enabled (contact your card issuer to activate these features if not already on, as they are required for binding and payments).
- Working mobile number: A mobile number that can receive SMS verification codes, either from a mainland Chinese carrier or an overseas carrier in one of Alipay’s supported 100+ countries and regions. Critically, the phone number reserved with your bank must be able to receive international SMS to complete card verification.
Eligibility notes: Users must be at least 16 years of age per Alipay’s user agreement. Cards issued by countries or regions under relevant Chinese or UN sanctions will not be accepted, as indicated by system prompts during the binding process.
Step-by-Step Guide to Linking an Overseas Bank Card and Using Alipay
Step 1: Download the official Alipay app and complete initial registration
Download Alipay from the Apple App Store or Google Play, confirming the developer is listed as Alipay (Hangzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. to avoid counterfeit applications. The standard Alipay app supports English and other multi-language interfaces; no separate “international version” is required.
Open the app, select your preferred language from the welcome page, then tap “Sign Up”. Enter your mobile number, confirm the country/region code is correct, then enter the SMS verification code sent to your number. Set a secure login password when prompted.
Step 2: Complete mandatory real-name verification
After registration, the app will prompt you to complete real-name verification (required to access all payment functions). If the prompt does not appear automatically, navigate to the “Me” tab, tap your profile avatar, then select “Real Name Verification”.
Select your identity document type: foreign nationals should choose “Passport”; permanent residents should select “Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card”. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your identity document (use the same pinyin/romanization as your passport; do not use nicknames or abbreviations), passport/ID number, and document expiration date.
Follow on-screen prompts to complete facial recognition: ensure you are in a well-lit area, with no face coverings, and align your face with the on-screen frame. The system will match your face to your ID photo in real time. If prompted to upload a photo of your ID, submit a clear, unobscured photo of your passport’s information page, then wait for verification. Most verifications complete within minutes; some manual reviews may take up to 24 hours, with results sent via in-app notification.
Step 3: Link your overseas bank card
Once real-name verification is approved, return to the “Me” tab and select “Bank Cards”. Tap “Add Card” to start the binding process. Enter your overseas bank card number manually, or use the app’s camera to scan the card for automatic number entry, then confirm the card network is recognized correctly.
Enter your card’s expiration date and CVV/CVC security code (the 3-4 digit code printed on the back or front of the card). Enter the mobile number you have on file with your card issuer, double-checking the number and country code, as the bank will send a verification code to this number via SMS. Enter the code to confirm card ownership.
Set a 6-digit payment password when prompted (this is separate from your login password, and is required to confirm all payments). You may also enable facial or fingerprint recognition for faster payments after setup.
Step 4: Complete payments with your linked card
For offline in-store payments, tap the “Pay” icon on the Alipay homepage to pull up your dynamic payment QR code to show to cashiers, or tap “Scan” to scan the merchant’s Alipay QR code, enter the payment amount, select your linked overseas card as the payment method, and confirm with your payment password or biometric verification.
For public transit, search for the transit code for your current city (e.g., “Guangzhou Metro Code”) in the Alipay search bar, claim the eligible transit QR code, and scan it at subway turnstiles or bus card readers. Fares will be automatically deducted from your linked card.
For online payments on supported mainland China platforms (including major e-commerce sites, food delivery apps, and ride-hailing services), select Alipay at checkout, confirm the payment amount and selected card in the Alipay app, and complete verification.
Known Limitations and Important Notes
Functional restrictions: Accounts linked only to overseas bank cards do not support peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers to other Alipay users, Alipay balance top-ups, sending or receiving red envelopes, credit card repayments for mainland Chinese bank cards, or purchase of Alipay wealth management products. Only eligible consumption payments at certified merchants are supported. Personal payment QR codes (from individual users rather than registered merchants) may not accept payments from overseas-linked cards.
Transaction limits: Transaction limits (per transaction, daily, and annual) are set in accordance with Chinese foreign exchange regulations, card network rules, issuing bank policies, and Alipay’s risk control system. Remaining available limit will be displayed on the payment page before confirmation; payments exceeding the limit will be declined automatically.
Fees and currency conversion: Alipay does not charge additional service fees for transactions made with overseas bank cards. All transactions are processed in Chinese Yuan (CNY); currency conversion is handled by the relevant card network and issuing bank at their applicable exchange rates. Cross-border transaction fees, foreign exchange conversion fees, or other charges may apply per your card issuer’s policies. Users should contact their issuing bank directly to confirm applicable fees and exchange rate rules before use.
Merchant eligibility: Most registered merchants in mainland China (including restaurants, retail stores, scenic spots, hotels, and public transit operators) accept Alipay payments via overseas cards. However, some small unregistered vendors, street stalls, or businesses in remote areas may only support payments from Alipay accounts linked to mainland Chinese bank cards. Look for official Alipay acceptance signage at checkout, or confirm with staff before attempting payment.
Refund processing: For returned goods or canceled transactions paid with an overseas card, refunds will be returned directly to the original card used for payment. Refund processing times vary by card network and issuing bank, typically taking 3 to 15 business days to reflect in your card account.
FAQ
Can all foreign nationals use Alipay with an overseas bank card?
Foreign nationals holding a valid unexpired passport or Chinese Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card may register and complete real-name verification, provided they are not listed on applicable UN or Chinese sanctions lists. The overseas bank card must be issued under the exact same name as the identity document, and belong to one of Alipay’s supported card networks.
Do I need a Chinese mainland phone number to register for Alipay?
No. Alipay supports registration with mobile numbers from more than 100 countries and regions. A mainland Chinese number is not required, but you must ensure the mobile number registered with your bank can receive international SMS to complete card binding verification.
Can I send money to other Alipay users or send red packets with an overseas-linked card?
No. Currently, Alipay accounts bound to overseas bank cards only support consumption payments at certified merchants. P2P personal transfers, Alipay balance top-ups, red packet features, credit card repayments for mainland Chinese cards, and wealth management services are not available for these accounts.
What are the most common reasons for card binding failure?
Common causes include: mismatched names between your ID document and bank card, international transactions or 3D Secure verification not enabled on your card, incorrect card information or SMS verification code, a card issued by a restricted region, or temporary risk control triggers. If binding fails, check the in-app error prompt, confirm all details match your ID and bank records, and contact your card issuer to ensure international payments and 3DS are activated before trying again.
Will I be charged extra fees for paying with an overseas card on Alipay?
Alipay does not levy additional service fees for these transactions. Cross-border processing fees or currency conversion charges may apply based on your card issuer and card network’s terms. Contact your issuing bank directly for specific fee details related to international transactions.
Can I link multiple overseas bank cards to one Alipay account?
Yes. A single real-name verified Alipay account can be linked to multiple eligible overseas bank cards, as long as all cards are issued under the same legal name as the account holder. You can select your preferred payment card for each individual transaction.
参考来源
Alipay Official Global Help Center: https://intl.alipay.com/help
State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) of the People’s Republic of China: Public guidelines on cross-border mobile payment services for inbound foreign visitors
Visa China Official Announcement: Expanded Alipay Acceptance for Global Visa Cardholders in Mainland China
Mastercard China Partnership Update: Alipay Cross-Border Payment Support for Mastercard Holders