Alipay for Foreigners in 2025: The Ultimate FAQ

Setting up Alipay is a game-changer for any trip to China. But as a foreigner, you probably have a lot of questions. We've compiled the answers to the most frequently asked questions right here.

1. Do I need a Chinese phone number or Chinese bank account?

No. This is the best news. As of 2025, you can sign up for Alipay using your own international phone number (e.g., from the US, UK, Singapore, etc.) and link your foreign credit or debit card directly. No Chinese bank account is needed.

2. Is using Alipay free for foreigners?

Yes and no. It's free for smaller payments. Here's the universal rule:

For any single payment under 200 RMB, it is completely free.
For any single payment over 200 RMB, Alipay will charge a 3% transaction fee.

This makes it great for daily expenses like subways, taxis, and snacks.

3. What are the payment limits for foreign cards?

Yes, there are limits. They are set by the Chinese government to manage foreign exchange.

Single Transaction Limit: Around $1,000 USD (but can vary).
Annual Limit: Around $10,000 USD total per year.

For more details on this, please read our in-depth guide on payment limits.

4. What happened to Alipay "Tour Pass"? Do I still need it?

No, Tour Pass is now obsolete. It was a temporary solution (a pre-paid virtual card) from a few years ago. The new system of linking your own card directly is much easier and has replaced Tour Pass entirely. You should not attempt to use Tour Pass anymore.

5. What is "Real-Name Verification" and is it safe?

Real-Name Verification is a mandatory step where you upload a photo of your passport to verify your identity. Yes, it is safe. Alipay is a multi-billion dollar financial company with robust security. This step is required by Chinese law to prevent money laundering and is necessary to unlock all payment functions.

6. My payment failed or my card was declined. What should I do?

This can be stressful, but there are solutions! Payment failures are common. We have written several guides for specific problems:

For general "Card Declined" errors, start with our main troubleshooting guide.
If you see a specific error code like "Issuer Declined", check our guide for that code.
If you can't receive an SMS code, see our SMS verification fix guide.

7. Is Alipay better than WeChat Pay?

Neither is "better"—they are both essential. Some stores only accept one or the other. The best strategy is to set up both. However, when it comes to card compatibility, there are some differences. Read our detailed comparison: Visa vs Mastercard in China (2025).