Check out this step-by-step guide on how to add your YouTrip card to WeChat for seamless payments in China! Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know.
Previously, China banned foreign debit and credit cards — this includes the use of PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Plus, with China fast becoming a cashless society, as a tourist you can’t help but wonder how to go about your payments. But we’ve got you covered. Since July 2023, foreign visitors are now able to link international cards to WeChat Pay! In this comprehensive WeChat Pay For Foreigners guide, we’ll be exploring how to use WeChat Pay as a foreigner.
Read on for a list of its features, fees, benefits, and how to get started by adding your YouTrip card to WeChat Pay even if you don’t have a Chinese bank account! You’re just one step away from seamless payments in China.
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What is WeChat Pay?
WeChat Pay is a popular digital wallet service integrated into the popular all-in-one Chinese messaging app WeChat. It enables users to make cashless transactions smoothly using their smartphones and pay for a wide range of goods and services both online and offline.
Image credits: Ecommerce Strategy China
Here’s a list of services WeChat Pay provides:
- Money transfers
- Bank-to-bank card transfers
- Ordering food delivery and restaurant payments
- Bill-sharing and splitting
- Payment of utility and credit card bills
- Share Bike Hiring (Scan and Go)
- Grocery shopping, general shopping, and online retail
- Food purchases and restaurant bills
- Event ticket purchases
- Selling your products and services
- Buying and selling second-hand goods
- Flash sales
- Insurance services
- Housing and accommodation payments
- Hotel bookings
- Taxi hailing
- Rail and flight bookings
WeChat Pay For Foreigners In China Guide 2024 — Read this article on Alipay for foreigners and how to set up your YouTrip card
Can foreigners use WeChat Pay?
Yes, foreigners who aren’t Chinese citizens or permanent residents can use WeChat Pay! If you’re a Singaporean travelling to China, WeChat Pay is available in Singapore. To make payments in China without a Chinese bank account, simply download the WeChat app and add your YouTrip card for the best CNY rates all day (more on this below)! 👇
Do note that not all stores and websites accept WeChat Pay as a payment method so do keep an eye out for the WeChat Pay sign in-store or at checkout, or check with the merchant directly.
WeChat Pay For Foreigners In China Guide 2024 — We’ve enhanced our wallet limits! Find out more here
WeChat Pay for Foreigners: How to set up WeChat Pay
Here’s how you can set up WeChat Pay to get started 👇
Image credits: China Daily
1️⃣ Download the WeChat App on your phone via the App Store or on Google Play
2️⃣ Launch the app and tap the ‘Sign Up’ option.
3️⃣ Fill in your personal details and tap the ‘Sign Up’ button.
4️⃣ Follow the screen instructions until your account is successfully created.
❗ Things to take note when signing up or logging back into an old account
When signing up for WeChat, do take note that if you’ve downloaded the app previously on a separate device and signed up with your mobile number, WeChat will only allow you to sign in on a new device with the same mobile number if you:
1️⃣ Use your original device to scan the QR code
2️⃣ Ask a friend on WeChat to verify your identity by sending the following numbers displayed on the app to your WeChat account
If you’re unable to follow through with the above, opt to sign up for a new account through your Facebook or Apple ID instead.
WeChat Pay For Foreigners In China Guide 2024 — Check out the best things to do in Beijing here
WeChat Pay for Foreigners: How to link your foreign debit/credit card to WeChat Pay
Tip: Link your YouTrip card for the best rates all day!
YouTrip is a multi-currency travel wallet that enables users to pay in over 150+ countries (including China!) with zero fees. Making payments in China? All you have to do is top up your YouTrip wallet in SGD within the YouTrip app.
Once your YouTrip card is linked to WeChat Pay, our SmartExchange™ technology will automatically convert your SGD to CNY when making payments — giving you the best Chinese yuan rates all day. But first, here’s how to set up WeChat Pay with your YouTrip card:
1️⃣ Sign up for a YouTrip account on your mobile device and complete the verification process
👉 Psst, if you’re new, sign up now with this promo code for FREE S$5: YTBLOG5
2️⃣ Top up your YouTrip wallet via PayNow or with a debit/credit card
3️⃣ Once your YouTrip account is funded (in SGD), open the WeChat app and navigate to the ‘Me’ tab.
4️⃣ Select ‘General’ > ‘Tools’ > ‘Weixin Pay’ > ‘Enable’ > You’ll receive a Weixin Pay notification — tap on it!
5️⃣ Tap ‘Activate Weixin Pay’ and verify your full details — including your passport details & an image of your passport
6️⃣ Head to ‘Me’ once again. This time you should be able to see ‘Services’ that wasn’t in your WeChat app previously — tap on it.
7️⃣ Tap ‘Wallet’ > ‘Cards’ > ‘Add a card’ > Enter your payment password (you would’ve already set this up under the verification process)
8️⃣ Enter your YouTrip card details, including the card number, expiry date, and CVV.
👉 After entering your card details, the system should automatically select ‘MASTERCARD’ under Card Type
9️⃣ Follow the prompts to verify your card, which may involve receiving a one-time password (OTP) via SMS or email.
🔟 Once your YouTrip card is successfully added to WeChat Pay, you can start using it for seamless payments and transactions throughout China!
WeChat Pay For Foreigners In China Guide 2024 — Check out our TikTok here for more guides like this
WeChat Pay for Foreigners: How to make payments with WeChat Pay in China
Image credits: Medium
Using WeChat Pay to make payments is a straightforward process. Once your payment method is linked, you can proceed to make payments in two simple ways. Here’s are two ways you can pay with WeChat Pay in China:
✅ Scan the QR code provided by the merchant or by entering their WeChat ID
- Click on the ‘+’ sign on the WeChat homepage
- Select ‘Scan’ to scan the QR code
- Enter the amount you’d like to transfer
- Confirm the transaction with your payment password
- Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a notification confirming the transaction.
✅ Utilise Quick Pay and have your QR code ready for the vendor to scan
- Click on ‘Me’ > ‘Services’
- Click on ‘Money’ at the top lefthand corner of the screen
- Display your QR code to the vendor for scanning
WeChat Pay For Foreigners In China Guide 2024 — Check out our guide to visiting Guangzhou here
WeChat Pay for Foreigners: Can I delete my WeChat account when I leave China?
Yes, you can delete your WeChat account when leaving China. However, do note that once you delete your account, you’ll lose access to all your account data including chat history, contacts, and any linked services. If you plan to use WeChat again in the future, you’ll need to create a new account.
Do ensure that you’ve settled any outstanding payments or transactions linked to your account before deleting it!
Image credits: Unsplash
To delete your WeChat account when leaving China, follow these steps:
1️⃣ Log in to your WeChat account and navigate to ‘Me’ or your profile section.
2️⃣ Click on ‘Settings’ > ‘Account Security’ > ‘WeChat Security Center’
3️⃣ Head to ‘Safety Tools’ and select ‘Account Cancellation’ You may need to submit an application, delete all data, and verify your identity or provide additional information to proceed.
4️⃣ Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the deletion of your account. This may involve agreeing to terms and conditions or entering a verification code sent to your phone number.
5️⃣ Once confirmed, your WeChat account will be deleted permanently, and you will lose access to all associated data.
6️⃣ If prompted, log out of the WeChat app to ensure that your account deletion is finalised.
WeChat Pay For Foreigners In China Guide 2024 — Click here for WeChat’s FAQ page
WeChat Pay: Fees and things to note
Q: Do all stores in China accept WeChat Pay as a payment method?
👉 Not all stores accept WeChat Pay. Do keep an eye out for any in-store WeChat Pay signage or enquire with the staff directly before making a payment! You can also use Alipay as an alternative payment method – here’s our Alipay for foreigners guide!
Q: Can foreigners send or receive red packets (hongbao) with WeChat Pay?
👉 As of now, foreigners using WeChat Pay cannot send or receive red packets on WeChat.
Q: Does WeChat Pay have any transaction fees?
👉 In terms of fees, WeChat Pay charges a 3% transaction fee for purchases above RMB 200 (~S$37). However, for smaller purchases below RMB 200, there are no transaction fees.
Q: Does WeChat Pay have any spending limitations?
👉 There are also some spending limits to keep in mind:
1️⃣ You can spend up to RMB 6,000 (~S$1,109.97) on each transaction
2️⃣ The monthly spending limit is RMB 50,000 (~S$9,249.77)
3️⃣ The annual spending limit is RMB 60,000 (~S$11,099.72)
WeChat Pay For Foreigners In China Guide 2024 — Check out our guide on the best things to do in Shanghai here
Is WeChat safe?
WeChat employs various security measures to safeguard user data and ensure the platform’s safety. As per WeChat’s official statements and privacy policies, prioritising user privacy and data protection remains their top priority.
WeChat Pay For Foreigners In China Guide 2024 — Find out more here
🇨🇳 WeChat Pay For Foreigners: China travel guides
- How To Use Alipay In China: All You Need To Know
- Adding Your YouTrip Card To Alipay And WeChat Pay
- China’s Reopening For Travel: Hot Spots To Visit
- Best Things To Do In Guangzhou, China 2023
- Best Things To Do In Beijing, China 2023
- Best Things To Do In Shanghai, China 2023
Have you added your YouTrip card to WeChat Pay yet?
Using WeChat and WeChat Pay during your travels in China offers unparalleled convenience. Bookmark this WeChat Pay For Foreigners guide and share it with your friends and family! Don’t forget to maximise the benefits of WeChat and WeChat Pay by adding your YouTrip card to get the best CNY rates all day!
As Singapore’s favourite multi-currency wallet, we aim to get those pesky fees out of the way and help you save on your travels. With the best foreign exchange rates, no longer will you have to deal with those long queues at money changers! So if you’re looking for a go-to travel card, sign up for your complimentary YouTrip card today with <YTBLOG5> and get FREE S$5 in your account! For more great tips and articles like this, join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter here or down below.
And while you’re at it, why not join the conversation with thousands of #YouTroopers in our very own Community Telegram Group @YouTripSquad? Get tips and tricks to everything YouTrip including exclusive invites to exciting events and experiences, & be part of the #YouTripSquad! 💜
Happy Travels!
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