Using WeChat Pay in China as a Foreigner

Last updated: 2025-06-25

✅ What you need

  • A non-China passport
  • A valid Visa/Mastercard (physical or virtual)
  • Your phone + internet access

🔧 How to set up

  1. Download WeChat App and sign up with your foreign number
  2. Go to “Me” → “Services” → “Wallet”
  3. Click on “Cards” and link your international card
  4. Done! You can now scan QR codes to pay

⚠️ Common Pitfalls

  • Not all merchants support foreign cards. Test with small payments first
  • Some virtual cards (Revolut, Wise) work better than traditional banks
  • You’ll still need Alipay in some cases. It’s smart to install both