Can foreigners use Alipay and WeChat Pay in China?
Yes. Visitors can link Visa, Mastercard and other foreign cards to both apps, or pay with partner e-wallets from home. Ant Group says more than 10 million inbound travelers used its solutions in 2025. Alipay charges a 3% fee on foreign card payments above RMB 200, according to a 2026 travel guide.
In detail
Yes. Visitors can link Visa, Mastercard and other foreign cards to both apps, or pay with partner e-wallets from home. Ant Group says more than 10 million inbound travelers used its solutions in 2025. Alipay charges a 3% fee on foreign card payments above RMB 200, according to a 2026 travel guide.
How visitors set up the apps
Travelers download Alipay or WeChat, verify their identity and link a foreign card. Payments are then made by scanning QR codes like local users.
Partner wallets
Through Alipay+, some wallets from other countries can be used directly at Chinese merchants that accept Alipay, so travelers pay with their home app.
Why it changed
China made it easier for foreign visitors to pay, after many reported difficulties when cash and foreign cards were rarely accepted.
Other options
Large hotels, airports and international chains accept foreign cards, and cash remains legal tender. But wallets are the most practical option for daily purchases.
What it means for payment operators
For your merchants serving Asian travelers in Europe or elsewhere, accepting Alipay and partner wallets mirrors this two-way flow. Access to these methods through one platform helps them serve visitors who prefer their home wallet.