Can Foreigners Use Alipay in China?

Yes, many foreign visitors can use Alipay in China by registering for Alipay and linking an overseas bank card. For a first trip to China, Alipay is usually one of the first payment apps to set up before departure.

Alipay is not a perfect replacement for every payment method. Your card may still be declined, some features may require identity verification, and rules can change. But for daily travel spending, Alipay is one of the most practical tools for restaurants, shops, taxis, ride-hailing, metro services in some cities, and many tourist-facing payments.

For the full payment strategy, start with our guide to payments in China: https://hallochina.com/payments-in-china

The short answer

Foreign visitors should usually prepare Alipay like this:

1. Download Alipay before flying to China.
2. Register with a phone number you can still receive SMS on.
3. Add your passport or identity information if requested.
4. Link an overseas Visa, Mastercard, or other supported card if available.
5. Test the app interface before departure.
6. Carry RMB cash and another card as backup.

Do not wait until you are standing at the airport taxi queue to install and verify Alipay.

Who this guide is for

This guide is for short-term visitors who do not have:

• a mainland Chinese bank account;
• a Chinese ID card;
• a Chinese debit card;
• long-term local payment setup experience.

It is especially useful for first-time tourists, visa-free travelers, transit travelers, business travelers, and Canton Fair visitors.

What you need before setting up Alipay

Prepare these before departure:

• A smartphone that can install Alipay.
• A mobile number that can receive SMS verification.
• Your passport.
• At least one overseas bank card.
• A second card if possible.
• A working email address.
• Reliable mobile data for China.

The mobile data part matters. Alipay payments, SMS checks, map services, ride-hailing, and customer support all become harder if your phone cannot connect reliably after arrival.

Related guide: https://hallochina.com/esim-vpn-internet-in-china

How Alipay payments work in China

Most daily Alipay payments use QR codes.

There are two common situations:

1. You scan the merchant’s QR code.
2. The merchant scans your payment code.

At a small restaurant or street stall, you may see a printed QR code near the cashier. Open Alipay, tap Scan, scan the code, enter the amount if needed, and confirm.

At a convenience store or supermarket, the cashier may scan your Alipay payment code. Open Alipay, show the payment code, and wait for the payment to complete.

Do not send a screenshot of your payment code to anyone. Payment codes are sensitive.

Where Alipay is useful

Alipay can be useful for:

• restaurants and cafes;
• convenience stores;
• supermarkets;
• taxis and ride-hailing;
• some metro and bus services;
• train and travel services;
• hotel payments in many local hotels;
• tourist attractions and local services;
• mini programs inside the app.

Coverage is broad, but you should still carry backup payment methods.

Alipay and overseas cards

Alipay has become more accessible to overseas visitors, and many users can link international cards directly. However, supported card types, fees, limits, identity checks, and transaction approval can change.

Before publishing this article, recheck the current Alipay app flow and official guidance. Before traveling, readers should also check inside the app and with their card issuer.

Important practical points:

• Your bank may block the first foreign transaction.
• Some cards work better than others.
• Some payments may trigger verification.
• Some merchants or services may not support every foreign-card scenario.
• App interface and rules may differ by region, phone number, card issuer, and account status.

Step-by-step setup before departure

1. Download the app

Download Alipay from the official iOS App Store or Google Play where available. Avoid downloading APK files from unknown sources.

2. Register or log in

Use a phone number you can access during travel. You may need to receive verification codes.

3. Add identity information

Alipay may ask for identity verification. Use the same name format as your passport and card records where possible.

4. Add a bank card

Inside Alipay, add a supported overseas bank card. Keep the card with you during travel in case you need to verify card details.

5. Check the payment code and scan function

Before departure, become familiar with the location of:

• Scan;
• Pay / payment code;
• Cards;
• transaction history;
• account settings.

6. Prepare backup methods

Set up WeChat Pay if possible. Carry cash and a physical card.

Related guides:

• https://hallochina.com/wechat-pay-in-china-for-foreigners
• https://hallochina.com/cash-in-china-for-tourists
• https://hallochina.com/payment-backup-plan-china

How to use Alipay after arrival

For a normal small payment:

1. Open Alipay.
2. Tap Scan if you need to scan the merchant’s QR code.
3. Or tap Pay if the merchant will scan your code.
4. Confirm the amount.
5. Choose the linked card if needed.
6. Wait for the success screen.
7. Keep the receipt or transaction record for larger payments.

For taxis or ride-hailing, you may be able to use ride services through Alipay or pay the driver by scanning a QR code. Still carry cash for traditional taxi situations.

For metro and bus payments, check the city. Transport code support is not identical everywhere.

Related guide: https://hallochina.com/how-to-pay-for-transport-in-china

Common Alipay problems and fixes

The app asks for verification

Follow the app instructions. Use passport information that matches your account and card details. If verification fails, try WeChat Pay, a different card, or cash for immediate needs.

The card is declined

Try another card, check your bank app, or contact your card issuer. Some card issuers block transactions that look unusual.

The payment amount is too high

Try a smaller transaction, use a physical card at a hotel, or ask whether the merchant can split the payment. For large payments, confirm fees and limits first.

The QR code does not scan

Check lighting, internet connection, and whether you are using the correct scan function. Some merchant QR codes may only work inside a specific app.

You cannot receive SMS

Use roaming, a travel SIM, or another verification method if available. This is one reason to set up Alipay before travel.

Should Alipay be your only payment method?

No. Alipay should be your main mobile payment method, not your only payment method.

A safer setup is:

• Alipay as main payment app;
• WeChat Pay as backup app;
• RMB cash for emergencies;
• physical international card for hotels and larger merchants;
• working mobile data and power bank.

Alipay vs WeChat Pay for tourists

For many first-time visitors, Alipay is easier to treat as the main travel payment app. WeChat Pay is still important because WeChat is deeply connected to daily services, mini programs, restaurants, and local communication.

Do not choose only one if your trip involves several cities, local restaurants, taxis, trains, or business meetings.

Read next: https://hallochina.com/wechat-pay-in-china-for-foreigners

Before publishing checklist

• Recheck Alipay’s current overseas card support.
• Recheck current fees and transaction limits.
• Recheck identity verification requirements.
• Add screenshots only if they do not expose personal data.
• Keep claims practical and avoid saying Alipay works everywhere.
• Link back to the Pillar page.

FAQ

Last reviewed

Last reviewed: 2026-07-01

Sources checked: Chinese Embassy / PBOC payment guide; Beijing government mobile payment pages; source-library background from Wise and TravelChinaCheaper. Recheck Alipay in-app rules before publishing.