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How to Set Up Alipay in China (2025)

Alternative payment app with strong foreigner support

Quick Summary

Foreigners can use Alipay through two main methods:

Option 1: International Card

Link Visa/Mastercard/Amex directly

Best for: Long-term visitors, expats

Option 2: Tour Pass

Prepaid card for short-term tourists

Best for: Tourists (up to 90 days)

💳 Transaction Limits (April 2025)

Limit Type International Card Tour Pass
Per Transaction Varies by card ¥2,000
Daily Varies ¥2,000
Monthly ~¥50,000 (estimated) ¥10,000

⚠️ Note: International card limits need verification. Call 95188 to confirm current amounts.

📞 Official Support: Call 95188 for Alipay support. English service available through app chat.

Last verified: April 2025

Which Method Should You Choose?

Factor International Card Tour Pass
Stay Duration Any duration Up to 90 days per reload
Setup Complexity Moderate (passport verification) Simple (minimal verification)
Top-up Method Auto from linked card Manual preload with foreign card
Limits Higher (varies by bank) Lower (¥2K/day, ¥10K/month)
Best For Expats, long stays, business Tourists, short visits

💡 Recommendation: Try international card first. If it doesn't work or limits are too low, use Tour Pass as backup.

Method 1: International Card Setup

1

Download Alipay & Register

  1. Download Alipay from App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)
  2. Open app → Select "English" (top right corner)
  3. Tap "Sign Up"
  4. Enter your phone number (international numbers work)
  5. Enter SMS verification code

⏱️ Time: 2 minutes

2

Verify Identity (Passport)

  1. Go to "Me" (bottom right)
  2. Tap your profile at top
  3. Select "Identity Verification" or "Real-Name Authentication"
  4. Choose "Passport"
  5. Enter passport details (name, number, nationality)
  6. Upload passport photo (clear, all edges visible)
  7. Complete face verification (follow prompts)
💡 Tip: Verification usually takes a few minutes, sometimes up to 24 hours. Do this before you urgently need to pay.

⏱️ Time: 3-5 minutes (plus verification wait)

3

Add International Credit Card

  1. After verification, go to "Me" → "Bank Cards"
  2. Tap "Add Card"
  3. Select "Add Other Cards" or "International Card"
  4. Enter card details:
    • Card number
    • Expiry date
    • CVV
    • Billing address: Your home country address (not China)
  5. Tap "Next" and wait for bank verification
✅ You're ready to pay! Test with a small purchase.

⏱️ Time: 2-3 minutes

Method 2: Tour Pass (Tourist Option)

Tour Pass is a prepaid card designed for tourists. You preload money using your foreign card, then spend it in China.

Tour Pass Features:

  • Duration: 90 days from activation
  • Transaction limit: ¥2,000 per transaction
  • Daily limit: ¥2,000 per day
  • Monthly limit: ¥10,000
  • Top-up: Reload when balance runs low

Setup Steps:

  1. Download Alipay and register (same as above)
  2. On home screen, look for "Tour Pass" or "International Version"
  3. Tap to activate Tour Pass
  4. Enter amount to preload (e.g., ¥2,000-5,000)
  5. Pay with your international credit card
  6. Money is instantly available in your Alipay balance
  7. Use for 90 days, reload as needed
💡 When to use: If your international card keeps getting rejected, Tour Pass is a reliable backup.

How to Pay with Alipay

Method 1: Scan QR Code

  1. Tap "Scan" (top left on home)
  2. Scan merchant's QR code
  3. Enter amount
  4. Confirm payment

Method 2: Show Your QR

  1. Tap "Pay" (bottom center)
  2. Show your QR code to cashier
  3. They scan, amount auto-deducts
  4. Check confirmation
✅ Alipay Advantage: Better English support than WeChat Pay. Many screens have English options.

Troubleshooting

"Card not supported" error ▼

Try these solutions:

  1. Use Tour Pass instead (guaranteed to work)
  2. Try a different card (some banks work better)
  3. Ensure your billing address matches exactly
  4. Call your bank to authorize China transactions
Face verification keeps failing ▼
  • Ensure good lighting
  • Remove glasses
  • Use plain background
  • Hold phone steady
  • Make sure passport photo is clear (all edges visible)
Tour Pass not visible in my app ▼

Tour Pass availability varies by:

  • Your location (may not show if already in China)
  • App version (update to latest)
  • Account type

Try searching "Tour Pass" in the app search bar.

WeChat Pay vs Alipay: Which Should I Use?

Factor WeChat Pay Alipay
Foreign Card Support Good (since July 2023) Good + Tour Pass option
English Interface Limited Better
Setup Difficulty Moderate Easier with Tour Pass
Merchant Acceptance Very high (~universal) Very high
Social Features Yes (chat, social) No (pure payment)
Official Support English Phone: 95017 (Press 2) Phone: 95188, App chat

💡 Bottom Line: Setup BOTH if you can. Use WeChat Pay as primary (everyone in China uses it), Alipay as backup (better English support).

Official Alipay Support

Phone Hotline

95188

24-hour service

In-App Support

Me → Help Center → Online Service

English support available via chat

Information verified: April 2025 (call 95188 to confirm current limits)

Related Guides

WeChat Pay Setup →
Primary payment method
Pre-Arrival Checklist →
Complete preparation
Emergency Contacts →
When payments fail

⚠️ Notice

Foreign card payment limits (¥6,500/transaction, ¥50,000/month) are subject to China's foreign exchange management policies, which may adjust with short notice. The policy allowing foreign credit cards was implemented in July 2023 and remains in pilot phase. Please Verify before use.

Check: Call Alipay 95188 or visit alipay.com for latest limits

Last updated: April 9, 2025