How to Set Up Alipay for Foreigners in China (2025): The Definitive Guide

For years, the biggest frustration for foreigners visiting China wasn't the language barrier or the Great Firewall—it was payments. While locals zipped through transactions with a quick QR code scan, tourists fumbled with cash that vendors didn't want to accept.

That changed in 2023 when Alipay finally opened its doors to international cards. Today, setting up Alipay as a foreigner isn't just possible—it's straightforward. This guide will walk you through every step, troubleshoot common issues, and show you how to actually use the app once you're set up.

Why Alipay Matters in Modern China

Let me paint you a picture: You're at a street food stall in Chengdu, the smell of sizzling mapo tofu filling the air. You point at what you want, the vendor nods, and then holds up a QR code. No prices displayed. No cash register. Just that little black-and-white square.

This is China in 2025. Cash hasn't disappeared entirely, but it's become the payment method of last resort. Some vendors genuinely don't carry change. Others will accept cash with visible reluctance, like you've handed them a personal check.

Alipay and WeChat Pay together process over 90% of mobile payments in China. Having at least one of these apps isn't a convenience—it's a necessity.

Before You Start: What You'll Need

Gather these items before beginning the setup process:

• A smartphone (iOS 12+ or Android 8+)
• International credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, or Discover)
• Your passport (for identity verification)
• A working phone number (international numbers work fine)
• 15-20 minutes of uninterrupted time

One important note: American Express is not supported. If Amex is your primary card, you'll need an alternative.

Step 1: Download the Correct App

This sounds obvious, but it's where many people stumble. There are multiple Alipay apps on app stores, and downloading the wrong one will waste your time.

What you want: The main Alipay app (支付宝), which has a blue icon with a white "支" character.

What you don't want: "Alipay HK" (for Hong Kong residents), "Tour Pass" (the old tourist version, now discontinued), or various knockoff apps.

Search for "Alipay" in your app store and look for the one published by "Alipay (Hangzhou) Technology Co., Ltd." with hundreds of millions of downloads.

Step 2: Create Your Account

Open the app and tap "Sign Up." You'll be asked to:

1. Select your country code from the dropdown menu
2. Enter your phone number (use your regular international number)
3. Receive an SMS verification code (this usually arrives within 30 seconds, but international SMS can take up to 2 minutes)
4. Create a password (6 digits, numbers only)

That's your basic account created. But you can't pay for anything yet—you need to add a payment method and verify your identity.

Step 3: Add Your International Card

Here's where the magic happens. Navigate to:

Me → Bank Cards → Add Card

Select "Add International Card" (not the regular bank card option). Enter:

• Card number
• Expiration date
• CVV/security code
• Cardholder name (exactly as it appears on the card)
• Billing address (must match your card's registered address)

Alipay will perform a small verification charge (usually $0 or $1) that gets refunded. Your bank might also send a verification SMS.

If Your Card Gets Declined

This happens more often than it should. Here's the troubleshooting sequence:

1. Call your bank first. Many banks automatically block transactions from Chinese payment processors as a fraud prevention measure. A quick call to enable international transactions usually solves this.

2. Try a different card. Some banks are more China-friendly than others. In our testing, Capital One and Chase cards work reliably. Some European banks are more restrictive.

3. Check your billing address. The address must match exactly what your bank has on file—same abbreviations, same formatting.

4. Wait and retry. Sometimes the Alipay system is simply overloaded. Trying again a few hours later often works.

Step 4: Complete Identity Verification

Alipay requires identity verification for foreigners, which involves:

1. Selecting your ID type (choose "Passport")
2. Entering your passport number and nationality
3. Taking a photo of your passport's information page (the page with your photo)
4. Completing facial recognition (look at your phone camera, blink when prompted)

The verification usually completes within minutes, but can occasionally take up to 24 hours. You'll receive a notification when it's done.

Understanding Your Transaction Limits

Foreign cards on Alipay come with spending limits:

Limit Type	Amount (CNY)	Approximate USD
Per transaction	¥5,000	~$700
Daily limit	¥10,000	~$1,400
Monthly limit	¥50,000	~$7,000
Annual limit	¥60,000	~$8,500

For most tourists, these limits are more than sufficient. If you're planning major purchases (like expensive electronics or jewelry), you might need to spread transactions across multiple days.

How to Actually Pay with Alipay

Once you're set up, paying is remarkably simple:

Paying a Merchant (Most Common)

1. Open Alipay
2. Tap "Scan" at the top of the home screen
3. Point your camera at the merchant's QR code
4. Enter the amount (or confirm the pre-filled amount)
5. Tap "Pay"
6. Enter your 6-digit password or use Face ID/fingerprint

The whole process takes about 5 seconds once you're practiced.

Showing Your QR Code (Less Common)

Some merchants scan you instead:

1. Open Alipay
2. Tap "Pay" at the top of the home screen
3. Show your QR code to the merchant's scanner
4. Transaction completes automatically

Transferring to Another Person

If you need to pay a friend or split a bill:

1. Have them show you their payment QR code
2. Scan it with Alipay
3. Enter the amount and pay

Or use the "Transfer" feature if you have their phone number.

Beyond Payments: Alipay's Hidden Features

Alipay isn't just for paying—it's a super-app with features that are genuinely useful for tourists:

Translation Tool

Open "Scan" and select the translation mode. Point at Chinese text (menus, signs, instructions) and get instant translations overlaid on your screen.

Metro QR Codes

In cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou, you can use Alipay to generate QR codes for subway entry—no need to buy tickets or cards.

Didi Integration

You can hail rides through Didi directly within Alipay, even without the Didi app installed.

Bill Splitting

After a group dinner, one person pays and uses the "Go Dutch" feature to request money from friends.

Alipay vs. WeChat Pay: Do You Need Both?

The short answer: ideally, yes.

While Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted almost everywhere, there are occasional exceptions. Some small vendors only have one QR code. Some apps only integrate with one payment system.

The practical answer: Alipay alone will get you through 95% of situations. If you're only going to set up one, make it Alipay—it's more tourist-friendly and has better English support.

If you want the security of having both, check out our WeChat Pay setup guide.

Common Questions

What fees will I pay?

Alipay itself doesn't charge fees. However, your bank will likely charge a foreign transaction fee (typically 1-3%) and may apply unfavorable exchange rates. Check with your bank before traveling.

Can I get refunds?

Yes. Refunds from merchants go back to your linked card, typically within 3-7 business days. Keep your transaction records in case of disputes.

What if I lose my phone?

Your Alipay account is protected by your password and biometrics. If your phone is lost, immediately change your Alipay password through the website or a friend's phone. You can also contact Alipay support to freeze your account.

Does Alipay work outside mainland China?

Increasingly, yes. Alipay is accepted in many tourist areas in Southeast Asia, Europe, and even some US locations. However, the primary use case remains mainland China.

Final Thoughts

Setting up Alipay might take 20 minutes of your time, but it will save you countless hours of payment friction during your trip. There's something genuinely liberating about being able to pay for anything—from a ¥3 bottle of water to a ¥3,000 hotel stay—with a quick scan.

The China of 2025 runs on QR codes. With Alipay in your pocket, you're ready to run with it.

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Need more help navigating China? The China Survival Kit includes detailed payment guides, offline tools, and everything else you need for a smooth trip.