Alipay is the payment app most visitors should set up first. Its international version is built for travellers — clearer English, smooth foreign-card linking, and built-in mini-apps for DiDi and Trip.com. Do the setup at home; you want it working the moment you land.
Since 2023, Alipay accepts international Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover and Diners Club cards directly, with no Chinese bank account or local SIM needed.
How to set up Alipay (step by step)
Get Alipay from the App Store or Google Play and register with your international phone number to receive a one-time code.
Upload your passport and complete the facial-recognition scan. This is the step that unlocks the higher transaction limits — don't skip it.
Go to Account → Bank Cards and add a Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover or Diners Club card. You may be sent to your bank's 3D Secure page for a final code; a small verification charge may appear and is refunded.
Call your bank before you travel: "I'm going to China and will use Alipay." This stops them blocking the first charge from "Hangzhou, China" as fraud.
If your card is rejected
Most foreign-card refusals come down to a handful of causes. Work through these:
- Your bank blocked it — the #1 reason. Call them, confirm the charge is you, and ask them to whitelist China transactions.
- No 3D Secure — older cards without it are often rejected. Use a newer card; most now have it.
- Prepaid card — generally not accepted. Use a real credit or debit card.
- Skipped verification — without the passport + facial step, linking can fail or stay capped at a low limit.
- Try the other app — some merchants accept foreign Alipay but not WeChat Pay, or vice versa. Having both raises your success rate.
Limits & fees in 2026
| Item | Verified Alipay user |
|---|---|
| Single transaction | ~¥5,000 (≈US$700) |
| Annual cap | ~¥50,000 (≈US$7,000) |
| Fee under ¥200 | 0% |
| Fee over ¥200 | 3% |
| Chinese bank account? | Not needed |
About ¥5,000 per payment covers nearly everything a traveller does day to day. For a large hotel deposit or a luxury purchase above that, use a physical card. Limits and promotional fee waivers change periodically — check the app before a big payment.
Set up WeChat Pay too and carry ¥500–1,000 in cash. Some merchants take one app but not the other, and businesses are legally required to accept RMB cash. For the full picture, see our Pay guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners use Alipay without a Chinese bank account?
Yes. Since 2023 Alipay’s international version lets foreign visitors link a Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover or Diners Club card directly — no Chinese bank account and no local SIM required. You verify your identity with your passport and a facial-recognition scan, link the card, and pay by scanning QR codes.
How do I link a foreign card to Alipay?
Open Alipay, go to Account → Bank Cards, and add your Visa or Mastercard. You may be redirected to your bank’s 3D Secure page for a one-time code, and Alipay may place a small (refunded) verification charge. Complete the passport and facial-recognition verification first — it unlocks the higher transaction limits.
Why is my foreign card being rejected by Alipay?
The most common cause is your own bank blocking the first charge as suspicious — a sudden transaction from “Hangzhou, China.” Call your bank before you fly and tell them you’ll be using Alipay in China. Other causes: the card lacks 3D Secure, it’s a prepaid card (often rejected), or you skipped the passport verification step.
What are the Alipay limits for foreigners?
After passport verification, the typical limits are about ¥5,000 (≈US$700) per single transaction and ¥50,000 (≈US$7,000) per year across linked cards. Payments under ¥200 carry no service fee; a 3% fee applies above ¥200. Limits and fees are set by Alipay and can change — check the app before a large payment.
Should I set up Alipay before arriving in China?
Yes — always set it up before you fly. The verification and card-linking steps run far more smoothly on a connection outside China, and you want payments working from the moment you land, since taxis, markets and many restaurants expect a QR scan rather than cash or a card swipe.
We are not paid to recommend Alipay — it's the actual tool most visitors need, and we link to its official site. Read our editorial policy.