Alipay and WeChat Pay Now Support International Cards
China’s mobile payment leaders, Alipay and WeChat Pay, now allow foreign visitors to use their platforms with international cards. As a result, tourists visiting mainland China no longer need a Chinese bank account just to pay cashlessly.
How Foreign Visitors Can Link an International Card
To enjoy cashless convenience, foreign visitors simply download the Alipay or WeChat Pay app. Then, they connect a prepaid or foreign bank card to their account. Alipay accepts cards from foreign banks directly. WeChat Pay, meanwhile, links its platform to five major card organisations. These include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and JCB.
Why This Change Matters
In the past, both platforms only accepted Chinese bank accounts. So, foreign visitors needed to apply for a local account and purchase credits through a Chinese bank first. This process often confused international consumers, and it added an extra step before they could even start shopping. Opening up to international cards removes that friction entirely. Now, visitors can start paying within minutes of arriving, instead of spending days on paperwork.
What This Means for UK Merchants
This change works both ways. Foreign visitors can now use Alipay and WeChat Pay more easily in China. Likewise, UK merchants can accept these same platforms from Chinese visitors, students and business travellers here in the UK. GlobePay is an official UK partner for both Alipay and WeChat Pay. As a result, we can help you accept both quickly and securely, without navigating the setup process on your own. Whether you run a shop, a restaurant or an online store, our team can talk you through what fits your business best. Contact our team to learn more about accepting these payment methods for your business.
For background on Alipay’s licensed partner network, see Alipay’s official partner site. For background on WeChat as a platform, see WeChat’s official site. UK merchants can also accept card payments directly via GlobePay’s card payment solution.
