Can foreigners use Alipay in China?
Published: April 29, 2026
Short Answer
Yes, foreigners can absolutely use Alipay in China. Alipay now supports international credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, Diners Club) directly in the app. You can pay at virtually any merchant in China by scanning QR codes -- no Chinese bank account required.
Mobile payment being processed on a phone screen
Deep Dive
How to Set Up Alipay as a Foreigner
Alipay is the easiest mobile payment option for tourists. Here's how to get started:
- Download Alipay from the App Store or Google Play
- Register with your international phone number
- Tap "Tour Pass" on the home screen (or go to Me > Bank Cards > Add Card)
- Enter your passport information and verify your identity
- Link your international card -- Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club all work
- Start paying -- scan any QR code at shops, restaurants, or transit
The Tour Pass Feature
Alipay's Tour Pass is specifically designed for short-term visitors. You can pre-load money onto it (up to 2,000 RMB at a time, approximately $280 USD) from your foreign card. This acts like a prepaid balance within Alipay, which means:
- Transactions process faster
- Fewer declined payments
- Works even if your card issuer blocks some international charges
- Unused balance is refunded to your card after your trip
Spending Limits and Fees
- Per transaction: Up to 5,000 RMB (around $700 USD)
- Tour Pass preload: Up to 2,000 RMB per load
- Daily limit: Depends on your card issuer
- Fees: Alipay does not charge fees for most transactions; your card issuer may charge foreign transaction fees (typically 1-3%)
Where Alipay Works
Alipay is accepted at over 80 million merchants in China, including:
- Restaurants and street food vendors
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart)
- Supermarkets and shopping malls
- Taxis and Didi rides
- Subway and bus systems in many cities
- Tourist attractions and tickets
- Hotels
Alipay vs WeChat Pay for Foreigners
Alipay wins for tourists because:
- Tour Pass feature makes prepaid spending easy
- Slightly more intuitive English interface
- Built-in Didi ride-hailing, train booking, and hotel booking
- More widely accepted at tourist-oriented businesses
WeChat Pay advantages:
- More popular with locals for social payments
- WeChat itself is the primary messaging app in China
- Better for connecting with Chinese friends and contacts
Our recommendation: Install both. Use Alipay as your primary payment method and WeChat as your backup and communication app.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Card declined: Try using Tour Pass instead of direct card linking
- SMS verification not arriving: Make sure roaming is enabled on your phone
- App in Chinese: Look for the language toggle in settings or use camera translate
- Transaction failed: Ask the merchant to show their "receive money" QR code instead of scanning their static one