How to Use WeChat Pay in China? Guide for Foreigners

“What’s your WeChat number?” If you are active in making friends on Xiaohongshu (RedNote) with Chinese people, you may be friendly asked about that question. Because WeChat is the major way for Chinese people to keep in contact.

Also, its digital payment tool – WeChat Pay, is one of China’s most popular mobile payment platforms. It has become an essential part of everyday life in the country, ranging from shopping payments to dining payments.

If you are planning to travel to China, WeChat Pay is convenient and important. However, many foreigners are confused about how to use WeChat Pay in China. This guide is for you, aiming to explain how to pay in China using WeChat Pay, especially as a foreigner.

What Is WeChat Pay?

WeChat Pay is a mobile payment feature within the WeChat app, which is a popular Chinese social media and messaging platform developed by Tencent.

WeChat has over a billion active users globally and offers a variety of services, including texting, voice messages, video calls, social media features, and importantly, mobile payments.

With WeChat Pay, you can link your bank accounts, credit cards, or even WeChat Wallet (a virtual account within WeChat) to facilitate fast and secure transactions.

While WeChat Pay is widely used in China, it has also expanded internationally. For example, users from various countries can make payments and transfer money globally as well, like Malaysia.

For foreigners, WeChat Pay offers a convenient way to make purchases and send money without the need for cash or local credit cards.

WeChat Pay provides strong security measures to protect users’ payment data. For more security, you can consider using a VPN, for example, the LightningX VPN.

How to Set Up WeChat Pay as a Foreigner?

Before you can start using WeChat Pay, you’ll need to set it up. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Step 1: Download and Install WeChat

WeChat is available for download on both iOS and Android devices. You can get the app from the App Store (for iPhone users) or Google Play Store (for Android users). Here’s how to download it:

1. You can look through the WeChat official website. Or you can directly go to the App Store or Google Play Store on your smartphone.
2. Search for “WeChat” and click “Download.”
3. Once downloaded, open the app.

Step 2: Create a WeChat Account

To use WeChat Pay, you must first create a WeChat account. Follow these steps to register:

1. Open the WeChat app and click on “Sign Up.”
2. Enter your phone number (this can be an international number). The WeChat server will send you a verification code via SMS.
3. Enter the verification code to confirm your phone number.
4. Set up your profile details, including a profile picture and a nickname.

Step 3: Set Up a Payment Password

WeChat Pay will require you to set up a payment password to enter the “adding bank card” process and also protect your transactions. This password is different from your phone unlock code and will be used for authorizing payments. Here’s how to set it:

1. Go to the “Me” section and tap on “Pay and Services”.
2. Select “Wallet” and click “Payment Settings” at the bottom.
3. Enter a secure 6-digit payment password.

Step 4: Link Your Payment Methods

To start using WeChat Pay, you also need to link a payment method to your WeChat account. As a foreigner, you can link international credit to your WeChat account.

Note: WeChat Pay currently supports the following bank cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, Discover, etc.

How to link an international credit card to your WeChat account:

1. Go to “Me” in the bottom-right corner of the app.
2. Choose the first option “Pay and Services” and then click “Wallet”.
3. Choose the third option “Bank Cards” and then click “Add a Bank Card” with the icon “+”.
4. Read the WeChat Pay Service Agreement and Privacy Policy and tap “Agree”.
5. You may be asked to complete a verification process. If you use your passport to verify your identity, you will be required to upload a copy of your passport.
6. After successful linking, your card will be added, and you can start using it for payments.

Official Note: Feasible Documents to Set Up WeChat Pay

• Passport
• People’s Republic of China Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
• Mainland Travel Permit / Residence Permit for Hong Kong SAR
• Mainland Travel Permit / Residence Permit for Macau SAR
• Mainland Travel Permit / Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents

For Transactions: How to Use WeChat Pay as a Foreigner?

Once you have set up WeChat Pay, you’re ready to start using it for transactions. Here’s how to use WeChat Pay without a Chinese bank card.

1. Scan to Pay: You Scan the Merchant’s QR

WeChat Pay is widely accepted in physical stores in China, including convenience stores, restaurants, and shopping malls. The most common payment method in stores is the “scan to pay” feature, where you scan the merchant’s QR code.

Here’s how to make a payment:

1. Open WeChat. In the “Chats” page, find an icon “+” in the top right corner.
2. Tap on “+”, and then click on “Scan”.
3. Scan the merchant’s QR code displayed at the counter.
4. Enter the payment amount (if necessary) and confirm the payment.
5. Enter your payment password or use your fingerprint/Face ID for authentication.
6. The merchant will receive a notification of the successful payment.

2. Scan to Pay: Merchants Scan Your Payment Code

Sometimes, the merchants have a scanning tool. After checking the amounts, they can scan your payment code to receive money directly. You don’t need to input the amounts manually

1. Go to Me>Pay and Services.
2. Click “Money” and then, you will see the barcodes and QR codes. They are all your payment codes.
3. you can also change the payment method by balance or bank card.
4. Let the scanning tool scan your payment code. Done.

FAQs – How to Use WeChat Pay?

Q1. Can Americans use WeChat Pay?

Surely. You can sign up with your US phone number and verify identity information with your passport. Then, add your bank card to pay for purchase.

Q2. Do I need a Chinese Mainland phone number to use WeChat Pay in China?

No. It’s not a must. You can use your international phone number. However, you need to ensure your phone number can receive SMS verification codes.

Q3. Does WeChat Pay support red packets using international cards?

No. Currently, on WeChat, international cards do not support features like red packets and money transfers.

Q4. Does WeChat Pay charge transaction fees?

No, if your single transaction is under 200 RMB.

Yes, if your single transaction is above 200 RMB. You will be charged a 3% transaction fee for single transactions.

For more WeChat Pay-related questions, you can look through WeChat Help Center.

Conclusion

Overseas credit cards can be accessible on WeChat Pay if they are included in the mentioned available bank cards in the guide. This article mainly guides you on how to use WeChat Pay as a foreigner in China. Check the steps outlined in this guide, you can quickly set up and start using WeChat Pay for all your transactions during your stay in China.