Alipay and WeChat Pay for foreigners in Shanghai
Shanghai runs on QR-code payments. As a foreigner you have two options: bind a foreign Visa/Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay (works, with limits), or link a local bank account (full limits, zero friction). Here's how to set up both.
Why you need both apps
- Alipay (支付宝) — the default for shopping, services, taxis (Didi), food delivery, and most merchant QR codes.
- WeChat Pay (微信支付) — essential for person-to-person money (splitting bills, red packets), mini-programs (hospital booking, Suishouban), and shops that only have WeChat.
- Cash is still legal tender and businesses must accept it — but for daily life, QR payment is the norm and many small vendors are awkward with cash.
Option A: bind a foreign card
Set up the app with your phone number
Register with your Chinese SIM number (foreign numbers work too but Chinese is smoother). Both apps have English language settings.
Add your foreign card
Wallet → Cards → Add card. International Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB and Diners cards are accepted since 2023. The app verifies the card with a small hold.
Verify with your passport
Complete passport verification (实名认证) — it raises your payment limits substantially and unlocks more features. Photo of passport + live face check.
Start paying
Scan merchant QR codes (you scan them) or show your payment code (they scan you). Conversion is automatic from your foreign card at your bank's rate.
Option B: link a local bank account (recommended)
For anyone staying more than a few weeks, linking a Chinese bank account is the upgrade:
- Open an account (see the bank account guide) and get your card.
- In Alipay/WeChat: Wallet → Add bank card → enter card details → verify with SMS.
- Now payments come from your RMB account: no foreign-card limits, no FX fees, no transaction fees, and you can receive money (e.g. red packets, refunds) too.
- You can also top up Alipay/WeChat balances from the card and cash out (提现) back to the bank — free for most users.
Chinese bank account linked to both Alipay and WeChat Pay, plus your foreign card kept on Alipay as backup for emergencies. Cash as a small backup in your wallet.
Limits, fees and verification
- Foreign cards: single-transaction and annual limits apply; they're raised after passport verification. Exact numbers change — check the app's help section.
- Fees: foreign-card payments may incur a small merchant fee (absorbed or passed on) plus your bank's foreign-exchange fee. Local-account payments are free.
- UnionPay prepaid cards: another option — buy a prepaid UnionPay card (banks issue them to foreigners) and link it; combines some foreigner convenience with local-network acceptance.
- P2P transfers: sending money to other people usually requires both accounts to be on the local-payment network — foreigners on foreign-card mode may have limited send capability; local-account mode removes that.
Daily-life payment etiquette
- Merchant QR codes: open the app → Scan (扫一扫). Your-code-for-them: show the payment code (收付款).
- Always confirm the amount before paying; change is rare — small vendors round or you pay exact.
- Split bills via WeChat's "AA" (群收款) — the social norm.
- For taxis (Didi), food delivery (美团/饿了么), and hospital top-ups, payment is in-app — both apps work.
- Some places (older taxis, street stalls, some hospitals) may only take one of the two — having both avoids awkward moments.
Questions & answers
Can I use Alipay with my foreign card?
Yes. Since 2023, Alipay and WeChat Pay allow binding international Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB and Diners cards. Limits apply and are raised after passport verification.
Is cash still accepted?
Yes, and businesses are legally required to accept it. But many small vendors prefer mobile payment. Carry some cash as backup, especially for taxis and street markets.
What are the limits with a foreign card?
Limits vary and are periodically adjusted. Unverified users start small; after passport verification the caps increase significantly. For full limits, link a local bank account.
Do I need Alipay or WeChat Pay?
Both, ideally. WeChat Pay is used more for person-to-person and mini-programs; Alipay for e-commerce and services. Set up both — it takes 20 minutes.
Is there a fee for using a foreign card?
Alipay/WeChat may apply a small transaction fee for foreign-card payments, plus your bank's FX fee. Payments from a local bank account are free.
Related: Bank account · SIM card · Real-name registration · Paying rent (contracts)