Alipay now available for all foreigners visiting China

From Nov 5, overseas tourists coming to the Chinese mainland are able to download and use China's leading digital payment platform Alipay during their visit.

The newly launched Alipay International Version enables overseas tourists to make payments through the "Tour Pass" mini-app on Alipay. They can use a prepaid card service provided by the Bank of Shanghai to top up RMB with an international debit or credit card and enjoy all the services Alipay offers.

Tourists now only need three things: an overseas phone number, a valid visa, and their overseas bank card, to sign up for this service. A local mobile number and a Chinese bank account are no longer required.

How exactly is Alipay International Version used? Here's a guide for you!

Step 1:

Download Alipay APP on your iOS or Android device and "Log in" with your overseas mobile phone number.

Step 2:

You'll be asked "Would you like to use the international version of Alipay?" and please select "YES".

Step 3:

Tap "Tour Pass" mini program on the Alipay home screen.

Step 4:

Select the total amount (ranging from 100 yuan to 2,000 yuan each time) you've decided to add to your prepaid card. The card is valid for 90 days, after which any leftover funds will be refunded automatically.

Step 5:

Type in your personal information such as "Nationality" and "Passport No." to verify your identity, and then fill in the bank card information.

Step 6:

Complete loading money and you're good to go! You can either scan or show your QR code (at the top of Alipay home screen) to pay at Alipay-enabled stores.

In addition, another digital payment giant Tencent is ramping up efforts to collaborate with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Global Network and JCB to offer mobile payment service to international credit card users by allowing them to bind their cards issued overseas with WeChat Pay.