Alipay for Foreigners: How to Set It Up and Pay in China (2026)

Quick answer: Foreign visitors can set up Alipay with a foreign or Chinese mobile number, complete passport identity verification, and follow the app prompts to link an eligible international bank card. The current card brands, fees, limits, and available payment functions depend on the product and terms shown in the app.

Alipay is one of the main ways to make mobile payments in mainland China. For a visitor, the useful part is straightforward: create an account with your mobile number, verify your identity with a passport, link an eligible card, then pay through QR codes. Do the setup before you need to make your first payment, and read the in-app service agreement for the terms that apply to your card.

For the former tourist-wallet product and a separate discussion of changing terms, see our Alipay Tour Pass guide.

Can a foreign visitor set up Alipay?

Yes. Official visitor guidance says that foreign visitors can register a mobile-payment account with either a foreign or Chinese mobile number and then follow the app prompts to link a bank card. Passport identity verification is part of the Alipay setup guidance for visitors.

The exact screens can change as the app is updated. Use the prompts displayed in your own account rather than relying on an old screenshot or a third-party walkthrough.

Set it up in the app

The official setup flow is best treated as a short checklist:

1. Register with a foreign or Chinese mobile number.
2. Follow the identity-verification prompts and use your passport for verification.
3. Open the card-linking section and enter an eligible international bank card.
4. Complete any verification requested by the card issuer or the payment provider.
5. Review the service agreement and in-app prompts before making a payment.

A linked card is not the same as a guarantee that every payment attempt will be approved. Your card issuer may need to verify the card before linking can finish. If a card cannot be linked, official guidance directs users to the payment provider's customer service or their card issuer's customer service.

Which international cards can be linked?

A March 2026 government guide lists the following international card networks for linking to Alipay:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• JCB
• Diners Club
• Discover

This is the full list stated in that guide, so do not assume that a card from another network will work. The applicable supported brands can also differ by payment product. Check the card-linking screen and the service agreement shown for your account before depending on a particular card.

How QR payments work

Once the setup is complete, there are two standard QR-code payment flows:

• Scan the merchant's collection code. Open the scan function, scan the merchant's QR code, and follow the payment prompts.
• Show your own payment code. Open your payment QR code so the merchant can scan it.

These are the two payment flows described in official visitor guidance. The app will show the relevant confirmation details for the transaction, so check the amount and merchant information before approving it.

Fees, limits, and card terms

Do not rely on a fixed fee threshold or annual cap from an older travel article. Official guidance says that supported card brands, payment limits, and fees can differ by payment product. The applicable terms are the ones displayed in the app and its service agreement for your payment method.

Before using Alipay for an important purchase, check:

• whether your card network is listed as supported in your account;
• any payment limit shown for that product;
• any fee disclosed in the service agreement or payment prompt; and
• whether your card issuer requires verification or has declined the linking request.

This is also why two travelers can report different results with similar cards. Their issuers, card products, and the payment product they use may not have the same terms.

Metro travel: one documented example

Transit payment is not one universal feature with identical steps in every city. In Shanghai, official guidance documents a specific flow: travelers who have linked an eligible foreign card to Alipay can use that payment channel in the Shanghai Metro Daduhui app for metro travel.

Treat that as an app-specific Shanghai option, not as proof that every Alipay account includes a universal transit QR code. For another city or transport system, check that operator's current instructions in the relevant app.

Problems that commonly need action

• Your card will not link. The card may need issuer verification. Contact the payment provider's customer service or your card issuer, as official guidance recommends.
• Your card network is not listed. Use the supported-network list in the card-linking flow. Do not assume all foreign cards are eligible.
• The fee or limit is unclear. Read the current in-app service agreement and payment prompts for the product you are using.
• You are planning to use transit. Check the city-specific transport app and its instructions. The documented Shanghai method uses the Shanghai Metro Daduhui app.

Who should use this guide?

• Useful for: visitors who want to understand the official Alipay account, card-linking, and QR-payment flow.
• Especially useful for: travelers who need to confirm whether their international card network is among the currently listed options.
• Not a substitute for: the terms shown in your own Alipay account, card issuer notices, or a city's transport-app instructions.

For the wider picture of mobile payment, cards, and cash, read how to pay in China.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register with a non-Chinese phone number? Yes. Official visitor guidance says that a foreign or Chinese mobile number can be used to register a mobile-payment account.

Do I need a passport for Alipay verification? Official visitor setup guidance instructs visitors to verify their identity with a passport. Follow the current verification prompts in the app.

Which foreign card networks are listed for Alipay? A March 2026 government guide lists Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover. Check the current card-linking screen because support can differ by payment product.

How do I pay by QR code? You can scan a merchant's collection QR code, or present your own payment QR code for the merchant to scan.

Why will my card not link? An overseas card may need to be verified by its issuer. If linking fails, contact the payment provider's customer service or your card issuer's customer service.

Can I use Alipay for the Shanghai Metro? Official Shanghai guidance describes an option for eligible foreign cards linked to Alipay through the Shanghai Metro Daduhui app. Check the app's current instructions before travel.