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The Daily Insight

Can I use WeChat pay outside China?

Author

Rachel Newton

Updated on March 06, 2026

You can use WeChat Pay if you are in Mainland China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, South Africa and Malaysia. It is not possible to transfer the amount available on your Wallet to bankcard outside Mainland China. This is an important point that WeChat in not a money transfer app.

In this regard, how do I get WeChat wallets outside China?

Have the friend in China take a photocopy of your passport to apply for a Chinese SIM card. Sign up for a Chinese wechat account using that phone number. The SIM card will need to be in your friends phone to receive the SMS. Then you need to bind your Chinese bank account with your wechat pay.

Beside above, can WeChat pay Malaysia be used in China? All transactions are settled in HKD for WeChat Pay Hong Kong, in ZAR for WeChat Pay South Africa, in CNY for WeChat Pay China Mainland and in RM for WeChat Pay Malaysia. 2. The Wallets of different regions are independent, funds in these wallets can not be shared or exchanged.

Also asked, how do I pay with WeChat in China?

To start using WeChat Pay in China, you must first download the app and link your WeChat wallet to your personal bank account. It is important to note, however, that you must have a Chinese bank account or a credit card from your home country.

Can WeChat pay HK be used in China?

Wechat pay is currently available in mainland China, which uses the same system as Wechat Pay for HK. You can check out this website. It's a list of banks whose debit or credit card can be linked to Wechat Pay account. It makes something clear.

Related Question Answers

Do I need a Chinese bank account for WeChat?

If you're an average Chinese user of WeChat, and you want to add money to your WeChat wallet, then it's very easy: You “top up” your wallet from your bank account. That's why you need to enter a bank account into WeChat when you first register. But if you don't have a Chinese bank account, then you're sort of stuck.

Can I wear leggings in China?

Chinese wear black pants, black shoes, white shirt. Tourists wear anything they feel like. If you want the respect of people for any portion of your trip, dress conservatively, even in hot weather. They will not be offended though by women in sleeveless blouses and men in shorts and sandals.

How can foreigners use WeChat pay?

Open a Chinese Bank Account: The easiest way to add money to WeChat Pay is to connect it to a Chinese bank account. Foreigners are legally allowed to open an account and it usually only takes 1-2 hours to get it done. They'll issue you a bank card immediately and you can add that card to WeChat.

How come my WeChat has no wallet?

You will find your Wallet under Me. If it is does not appear, check if you have the latest version of the WeChat app. To check Tap Me>Settings>About. If you still cannot find the Wallet please contact the Call Centre so that we can assist you further.

Can you use Alipay without a Chinese bank account?

Visitors to China can now use Alipay without a Chinese bank account. Without a Chinese bank account and a local mobile phone line, foreigners have found it difficult – if not impossible – to find any smartphone app to pay for online purchases in China. That hurdle will now be removed under a pioneering effort by Alipay

Can foreigners open bank account in China?

Opening a basic bank account in China is pretty simple for permanent expats. Proof of residence (usually only for correspondence purposes, so your bank may accept a temporary address or email instead) An initial opening deposit. Employment pass, student pass or work permit (Required by some banks)

How do you pay for things in China?

Payment Methods in China
  1. Credit and Debit Cards. In tier-1 cities like Beijing or Shanghai, you can pay with foreign credit or debit cards more easily.
  2. Currency Exchange. Where to get all that cash from?
  3. Travellers' Cheques.
  4. ATM Cash Withdrawal.
  5. Online Payments and Mobile Payment Services.

Can foreigners use Didi in China?

Didi Chuxing, China's dominant ride-hailing service, has rolled out a bilingual function for its ride-hailing app, to cater for expatriates and foreign tourists in China, a first step towards its internationalisation plans, the company said.

Can tourists use Alipay in China?

Short-term visitors to mainland China can download a version of the Alipay app to pay for things using QR codes, according to a statement today from parent company Ant Financial. Travelers are able to use Alipay's “Tour Pass” program, which allows them to use a prepaid card service from the Bank of Shanghai.

Is WeChat in English?

On Friday, Tencent's WeChat released an update to its desktop messaging app, first launched in Chinese in January, bringing English-language support along with a number of other features. The app, available on Windows and Mac OS, requires users to login via their smartphone using a QR code.

Can you use WhatsApp in China?

WhatsApp is blocked in China and has been censored since June of 2017. The app joins a host of other social media platforms that have been blocked in China. What this means is that if open WhatsApp on your phone from within China, no matter if you're using a network connection or a wi-fi connection, the app won't work.

What is WeChat called in China?

WeChat (Chinese: ??; pinyin: Wēixìn; literally: 'micro-message') is a Chinese multi-purpose messaging, social media and mobile payment app developed by Tencent.

Are Visa cards accepted in China?

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diners Club, Federal and Million cards find acceptance in China, although to varying degrees. You may use your credit card at mid-sized to large hotels, restaurants and other businesses in most major cities, but you'll find very few or no takers in rural areas.

Can I use my Visa card in China?

Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are all widely accepted in big cities in China. Depending on your bank, using a foreign credit card in China will usually incur a foreign currency exchange fee and a transaction fee from either your home or the local bank, which can add up fast.

Is WeChat allowed in China?

WeChat and QQ are two convenient communication apps for travelers in China. You can use them to get in touch with your friends and family in your country, contact your tour guide in China, or meet new friends in China. You can install them on your phone, computer, or tablet, and they are available for iOS or Android.

How do I change WeChat from Chinese to English?

Change WeChat language under ?Me?->?Settings?->?General?->?Language?. Select the menu items in order listed below to change your interface from Chinese to your own language.

How can I hide my region in WeChat?

Go to 'settings', go to 'privacy', go to 'location services', scroll down until you see 'WeChat' and tap it. Turn it off.

How do I unfreeze my WeChat payment?

If you need freeze your account, you can unfreeze your account following the steps below: Open WeChat on the previously frozen account device, Tap More Options > WeChat Security Center > Unfreeze Account > Unfreeze, and follow the instructions.

How do I setup my WeChat wallet?

Steps for Setting Up Your WeChat Wallet to Pay With Your Phone in China
  1. Tap "Me" and Find the "Wechat Pay"
  2. Tap "Wallet"
  3. Tap "Card"
  4. Tap "Add a card"
  5. Enter Your Payment Password.
  6. Enter Your Bank Card Number (Chinese card or overseas card)
  7. Enter Your Name, Passport ID, Phone Number.
  8. Enter the Confirmation Code.

How do I pay with international credit card in WeChat?

You can also add your credit card when you scan a merchant QR code to complete a single purchase:
  1. Step 1 – Adding an international card for a single transaction on WeChat Pay.
  2. Step 2 – Adding an international card for a single transaction on WeChat Pay.

Can foreigners use WeChat pay in China?

Chinese payments giant WeChat Pay can now be used by foreign visitors to pay for goods and services in China. The Chinese payments giant has partnered with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Global Network, and JCB to allow foreign visitors to link their credit cards to WeChat Pay.

Can foreigners use WeChat pay?

For Foreigners Without a Chinese Bank Account If you don't have a Chinese bank account, you can still use WeChat Pay by linking a supported credit card. Once your card and the phone number have been verified, your WeChat Wallet will be active and you can now use the WeChat Pay.

Where can top up WeChat wallet?

You can visit the retail partners, like Pick n Pay and Boxer stores and pay your desired amount in cash. In your WeChat Wallet Tap Balance>Top Up> Top Up at Retailer. You will receive an EasyPay bar code on your screen which the cashier will scan in order to load the cash into your Wallet.

How do I link my credit card to WeChat?

Here's how to do it:
  1. Open WeChat and click on the 'Me' tab at the bottom right of the screen. Tap on Wallet.
  2. We're now in Wallet. Tap on 'Cards' to add your credit card.
  3. Tap on '+Add Credit Card'.
  4. Enter your credit card number and tap on 'Next'.
  5. Fill in the rest of your details and tap on 'Next'.
  6. And that's it!

How do I activate WeChat pay in Hong Kong?

WeChat Pay
  1. Enter "Wallet" Under "Me"
  2. Select "Bank cards"
  3. Select "Add Credit Card or Bank Account"
  4. Enter Credit card number.
  5. Enter Credit card info.
  6. Set up 6-digit pin to complete binding.

What is WeChat pay and Alipay?

Similar to WeChat Pay, Alipay is another third-party mobile and online payment platform founded by The Alibaba Group with its original headquarter in Hangzhou. Its financial services are more or less the same as what WeChat Pay offers, such as money transfers, bill payments, e-commerce etc.

How does WeChat wallet work?

How does WeChat Wallet work? To use WeChat Wallet in Hong Kong, users connect a credit card (currently MasterCard or Visa) to their WeChat accounts. They then create a six-digit pin number. This password will be used for every transaction made through the user's wallet feature.

Is WeChat pay safe?

Completely Safe and Insured In order to protect users, WeChat Pay provides full transaction insurance 24/7. It also includes security features like data encryption, website phishing protection and payment limits.

Is WeChat pay available in USA?

Can I use WeChat Wallet in the US? Only if you own a bank account in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia or South Africa. It's the only way to use WeChat Wallet in the US. WeChat Pay launched at the start of 2018, allowing tourists, expats and international students to pay at select stores in the States.