Add your foreign card to Alipay
Link a Visa, Mastercard or other international card to Alipay and pay almost anywhere in China.
Last checked · reviewed quarterly
This page is past its review date and may be out of date. Please check the official sources below before you rely on it.
Photo walkthrough coming soonWe only publish steps after checking every screen on a real phone in China. Until then, use the overview below and the official links.
Alipay (支付宝, Zhīfùbǎo) is one of China's two big payment apps. Once your foreign card is linked, you can pay in shops, restaurants, taxis, metro stations and at street stalls by scanning a QR code.
What you need
- Your phone, with data or Wi-Fi
- Your own mobile number — you don't need a Chinese number
- An international bank card. Alipay accepts the major international card networks; see the official guide below for the current list.
- Your passport, in case Alipay asks you to verify your identity
Do it at home
Add your card before you travel, while your home SIM can easily receive SMS codes and you can call your bank if something goes wrong.
Fees and limits
Spending limits and any service fees for foreign cards are set by Alipay and can change. See Limits & fees: where to check.