Alipay Guide to Help Ensure a Smooth Trip to China

Download and Install the Alipay App

Alipay is available for download on Apple App Store and Google Play Store. We strongly recommend completing installation and setup before arriving in China so you can start using it immediately upon arrival. The app currently supports both Chinese and English languages; if your system language is not Chinese, the default interface will be in English.

Tip: After logging in, go to "My → Settings → Version Switch" to switch to the "International Version," which features a specially optimized interface and functionality tailored for overseas users, providing a better experience.

Create an Account

To create a new account, you need a phone number capable of receiving verification codes. Enter your phone number as prompted, then input the received verification code (via SMS or voice call), followed by setting a login password according to the instructions.

Additional Note: In addition to phone numbers, email addresses are now also supported for registration (both domestic and international emails). However, you must complete additional information—such as adding a phone number, binding a bank card, or finishing identity verification—within 24 hours to ensure full account functionality.

Identity Verification (Real-name Authentication)

According to policy updates effective March 2024, unverified users can still spend up to USD 2,000 per year. However, any single transaction exceeding USD 500 requires identity verification with valid identification documents. Please carry your passport or ID card with you. After successful verification, your annual spending limit increases to USD 50,000, with a single transaction limit of USD 5,000.

Verification Path: Open Alipay → "My" → "Settings" (gear icon in top right corner) → "Account & Security" → "Identity Information" → Fill in personal details (passport information, upload passport front page, facial recognition) → Submit and wait for review, typically completed within about 30 minutes.

Acceptable Identification Documents (choose one from six options): Passport, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, Hong Kong Resident Residence Permit, Taiwan Resident Residence Permit, Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Identity Card. When uploading a passport, submit both the "Information Page" and "Entry Stamp Page."

Top-up / Link Bank Card

There are two main methods to top up or link funds to Alipay, neither requiring a Chinese bank account—ideal for international travelers. Choose based on your needs.

Method One: Directly Link International Bank Cards (Foreign Card, Domestic Binding)

Since 2023, Alipay has supported linking international bank cards. Tap "Add Now" to add your card, first set a 6-digit payment password (used during checkout), then choose to scan your card or manually enter card details.

Supported International Cards (as of 2026, covering seven major card networks):

• Visa (VISA)
• Mastercard (Mastercard)
• American Express (American Express, added February 2025)
• JCB (Japan Credit Bureau)
• Diners Club (Diners Club)
• Discover (Discover)
• RuPay (India, future addition)
• UnionPay (China UnionPay)

Note: Not all cards can be successfully linked 100%. If issues arise, try another card. After successful registration, cross-border verification via OTP SMS or similar may be required when using abroad. Once registered, you can pay by entering the 6-digit payment password for each transaction. If facial recognition is enabled, you can use face payment after the first transaction (face payment only supported on iPhone 11 and newer models).

Method Two: Travel Wallet (Travel Wallet)

① Traditional prepaid card (TourPass / TourCard Mini Program): Search for "TourCard" within Alipay to access the mini program, where you can open a temporary virtual account with a validity period of 180 days and a cumulative top-up limit of RMB 10,000 (a service fee of approximately 5% is charged per top-up). Suitable for short-term visitors; once funds are exhausted, you can reopen the account or switch to card binding.

Using Alipay for Payments

• Once ready, payment is fast and seamless. There are two ways to pay at merchants:
• Merchant scans your QR code: Tap the "Payments/Receive" icon at the top of the home screen, display your payment QR code, and let the merchant scan it to complete the transaction.
• You scan the merchant’s QR code: Tap the "Scan" icon next to "Payments," scan the merchant’s payment QR code (sometimes you may need to ask the merchant for it), confirm the amount as prompted, and complete the payment.
• When shopping online, select "Alipay" as the payment method at checkout, which will redirect you to the Alipay App to complete the payment. If ordering on a PC, the checkout page usually displays a QR code that you can scan using Alipay to make the payment.

Note: For travelers eligible for the 72-hour transit visa exemption, if card binding is inconvenient, consider using a travel wallet or prepaid card option first.

Pay with Alipay

After preparation is complete, the payment process is quick and smooth. There are two ways to make payments to merchants:

1. Merchant scans your QR code: Tap the "Pay/Receive" icon at the top of the home screen, display your payment QR code, and the merchant can scan it to deduct payment.
2. Scan the merchant's QR code: Click the "Scan" icon next to "Payments," scan the merchant's payment QR code (you may need to request it from the merchant), confirm the amount as prompted, and complete the payment.

When shopping online, selecting "Alipay" as the payment method will redirect you to the Alipay app to complete the payment; if placing an order on a PC, the checkout page usually displays a QR code, which you can scan using Alipay to make the payment.

New Payment Methods:

• Tap & Pay: No need to open the App. After unlocking your phone, simply tap near a merchant's "Tap & Pay" sign to complete payment instantly. Supported by millions of merchants across over 400 cities nationwide, this method is the most popular among inbound travelers;
• AI Pay: Just say or show to an AI agent or smart device to make a payment—reducing steps by over 60%;
• Alipay+ 'External Wallets, Internal Use': Users from 12 countries and regions using 31 overseas e-wallets (such as AlipayHK, Kakao Pay, Touch'n Go, TrueMoney, etc.) can pay by scanning QR codes in China without downloading a new app, using their familiar home wallet directly;

Limitations and Notes

Although Alipay can be used to pay merchants, not all features are available to international visitors. Please note the following restrictions:

• Personal transfers, red packets, and peer-to-peer transactions are not supported for international users; prepaid cards/travel wallets also cannot transfer funds to individuals and are only allowed for payments to merchants (online and offline).
• Due to your home country’s bank security policies, some transactions may require providing a CVC security code or additional verification.
• Foreign Card Binding Fee: Free for single transactions ≤ 200 RMB; for single transactions > 200 RMB, a service fee of approximately 3% of the transaction amount will be charged (refunded proportionally upon refund). Refer to the payment page for exact details.
• Foreign Card Spending Limits (for reference only—actual limits shown in-app): up to ~3,000 RMB per transaction, ~50,000 RMB monthly cumulative, ~50,000 RMB annual cumulative; some card networks or issuing banks may impose additional restrictions.

One-Click Refund (Buy & Refund Immediately)

After the nationwide rollout of the "Buy & Refund Immediately" tax refund program for departing travelers in April 2025, Alipay partners with local providers to launch "One-Click Refund" in multiple popular cities: after shopping at stores supporting "Buy & Refund Immediately", simply tap your phone on the refund terminal to process your refund—reducing processing time from as low as 20 minutes to as fast as 2 minutes. Refund amounts can be directly credited to your Alipay account or credit card. Beijing, Shanghai, and other cities have already launched this feature—look out for the "Tax Refund / Refund" sign at shops during shopping.

Quick Reference Table: Limits and Fees