For Chinese and international students living abroad for a long period of time, the biggest problem for them when they return to China is that they don’t have a domestic bank card and can’t use the convenient mobile payment. While friends and relatives in Chinacould easily pay withjusta“swipe“, they had to change cash everywhere, as if they were out of touch with this convenient society.
The good news is that such times are over! Both WeChat Pay and Alipay have been opened to foreign bank cards, and with a simple binding, you can enjoy almost the same payment experience as domestic users. Whether you’re returning home to visit family or traveling, you no longer have to worry about payment.
Many netizens cheered, “My village is finally connected to the Internet! From now on, when Singapore returns home, we no longer need to worry about being mocked as “hicks”! This time, I want to take back everything that belongs to me!
I. WeChat Pay binds overseas card detailed tutorials
The process of binding a foreign bank card with WeChat Pay is very simple and can be completed in just 3 steps.
Step 1: Prepare the latest version of WeChat
Please make sure that the WeChat orWeChatappon your phonehas been downloaded or updated to the latest version, and use your cell phone number to register or login.
Step 2: Find the WeChat Payment Portal
You can access itby clicking “Me”>“Payments & Services”>“Wallet” atthe bottom right corner of WeChat.
Step 3: Fill in your identity information and bind your card
In “Wallet”, click “Cards”>“Add Card” to enter the process of filling in identity information and binding foreign cards.
Users need to view the “WeChat Pay User Service Agreement and Privacy Policy” and click“Agree“, enter the next step, fill in or check the identity information in accordance with the page operation, continue to click“Next” toadd the card, follow the prompts to complete the opening.
Supported Document Types:Currently, foreigners can use six types of documents to open WeChat Pay, including China’s Hong Kong and Macao Residents Entry and Exit Permit, Taiwan Residents Entry and Exit Permit, passport, Hong Kong and Macao Residents Residence Permit, Taiwan Residents Residence Permit, and Foreigner Permanent Residence Identity Card.
Cell Phone Number Requirement:The cell phone number to be verified in the process of tying up the foreign card does not have to be a mainland China cell phone number. Overseas cell phone numbers can also be verified as long as they can receive SMS verification codes.
Source: Internet, deleted
Second, Alipay binding foreign card complete guide
Alipay’s process of binding foreign bank cards is equally simple and especially suitable for foreign tourists and users.
Step 1: Download and register Alipay
Download the Alipay appfromthe App Store(Apple) orGoogle Play(Android). Register an Alipay account using your email address or overseas cell phone number.
Tip: Click “My”>“Settings”>“Version Switching”>switch to “International Version” atthe bottom right cornerfor a better experience.
Step 2: Complete real-name authentication
Alipay requires users to authenticate their real names and you can use your passport for verification. Go to Me>Settings>Account and Security>Authentication>Upload passport and verify face.
Upload your passport photo and fill in your personal details. For higher transaction limits, this step is mandatory.
Step 3: Binding bank card
Click on “Cards” under the “Me” tab to add yourVisa,Mastercard,JCB,DiscoverorDiners Clubcard. Alipay supports most major foreign cards.
Confirmation is donethrough your bank’s authentication process (e.g.OTPSMS).
*Optional step: useTourPassfunction
Foreign tourists find and click onthe‘TourPass‘ optionwithin Alipay, and thenpre-deposit prepaid card funds, rangingfrom 100-2,000RMB,with Alipay’s partners,for example,the Bank of Shanghai.
By adding your passport details, you can bind your overseas credit card or debit card.
Visitors can enjoy90days of mobile payment serviceafter downloading and registering for Alipay Overseas. There is no need to bind a Chinese cell phone number or bank account, and visitors can pre-deposit funds at any time.
Atthe end of the 90-day period, any unused funds will be refunded in full to the visitor’s prepaid card account.
Source: Internet, deleted
III. Important Notes and Limitations
1. WeChat Payment Restrictions
At present, the foreign card supportsdaily consumption and use within mainland China, and does not support transactions such as red packets and transfers for the time being;
Single limit ofRMB6,500, monthly aggregate of50,000 yuan, annual aggregate of65,000 yuan;
The payment exchange rate is calculated based on the exchange rate of the card organization to which the card belongs and the card issuer;
Handling Fee:Handling fee is waived forsingle transaction amount≤200RMB;handling fee is chargedat 3%forsingle transaction amount>200RMB. If the user initiates a refund, the handling fee will be refunded in the same proportion.
2. Paypal Restrictions
Binding foreign bank cards nowonly supports daily consumption, and does not support other uses such as wealth management for the time being;
The single transaction limit isRMB3,000, with a monthly aggregate ofRMB50,000 and an annual aggregate ofRMB60,000;
The handling fee is similar to that of WeChat Pay, but the exact policy may be slightly different.
3、Special tips for UnionPay card
Bank of China Jakarta Branch UnionPay Debit Card can be easily bundled with WeChat and Alipay with no transaction fee.
The default daily spending limit for online payment transactions using Alipay or WeChat Pay isRMB12,500, and the maximum limit can beset toRMB50,000at thecounter/InternetBanking/Mobile Banking.
This function only applies topayment transactions within China, excluding top-ups and transfers.
Source: Internet, deleted
IV. Use in Singapore
Tips for microsoft paypal
Apart from being used back home, WeChat Pay and Alipay have a growing number of local adoption scenarios in Singapore.
1、WeChat Pay in Singapore
WeChat Pay has officially launched a variety of services in Singapore, including Swipe Palm Pay.Starting fromMay1, Palm Pay can be used at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, covering the Water Adventure Park and eight consumer outlets.
Users outside of China (not in mainland China) can also use the applet “PalmDa” to manage their palm swiping privileges.
2、Alipay in Singapore
Alipay’s cross-border payment service is available inmore than70countries and regionsaround the world, and is also widely used in Singapore.
Previously, Ant International’s wallet gateway serviceAlipay +and Southeast Asia’s largest car hailing platformGrabreached a deep cooperation, facilitating Alipay users candirectly useGrabtaxiin their AlipayApp, the service covers Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and othereightcountriesin Southeast Asia.
More than570FairPriceGroup storesacross the island, includingFairPricesupermarkets,Cheers convenience stores,Unitypharmacies,Kopitiamfood courts,Heavenly Wangrestaurants, and Singapore’s most iconic night market at Old Pasir Ris, are the latest to fully supportAlipay+cross-border payment services.
Source: Internet, deleted
V. Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I use Alipay without a Chinese cell phone number?
A:Yes. Alipay allows foreign users to register with an overseas cell phone number and supports the use of passports for real-name authentication. As long as you complete the real-name authentication, foreign users can use Alipay to make payments normally.
Q: Can I use it outside of China after binding an overseas bank card?
A:WeChat Pay and Alipay, which are bound to overseas bank cards, are mainly applicable to spending within China. However, WeChat Pay and Alipay have some application scenarios in regions such as Singapore, such as Resorts World Sentosa andFairPriceGroup storesin Singapore.
Q: If I encounter a card binding failure, what could be the reason?
A:Common reasons for card binding failure include: cell phone number not reserved (need to contact the card issuer to update the information), single-day limit exceeded (can recharge in batches or apply for a withdrawal), overseas card area restrictions (can give priority to cards issued by cooperative banks).
Source: Internet, deleted
Conclusion:
With the opening of WeChat Pay and Alipay to overseas bank cards, Chinese and international students living overseas for a long time no longer have payment barriers when they return home. With just a few simple steps to bind an overseas bank card, they can enjoy the convenient mobile payment experience in China.
Whether you’re going back to your home country to visit your family, traveling, or on a short business trip, you don’t have to worry about payments anymore. Hurry up and save this guide and try it out next time you go back to your home country!
Note:References are from WeChat, Alipay, China UnionPay, etc. Detailed operational details are subject to the latest official guidelines of WeChat Pay and Alipay, UnionPay or major banks if there are any changes. Comprehensive news reports collated, reproduced must indicate the source, invasion and deletion of contact.
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