Tencent's mobile wallet, deeply integrated with social messaging, mini-programs, ride-hailing and delivery. One of China's two dominant QR payment methods, now open to foreigners with a passport and an international card.
!Not a bank. Tenpay is a PBOC-licensed non-bank payment institution; WeChat Pay balances are client reserve funds / e-money, not deposits, and are not covered by deposit insurance.
Yes. Register WeChat with an overseas phone number (no mainland SIM required), then add a foreign card under Me -> Services -> Wallet -> Cards. Six ID types are accepted, including a passport. Seven international card networks are supported (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, Discover, Diners Club, UnionPay). Transactions of CNY 200 or less are fee-free, 3% above that; new users may get a limited-time fee waiver (see in-app notices). Red packets and transfers are not supported on foreign cards.
No minimum top-up; a linked foreign card is charged per transaction｜Free to open. No fee on transactions of CNY 200 or less; 3% on anything above (refunded pro-rata). Your issuer may add its own FX fee.
Unverified accounts are limited to small payments; verification raises the limits (shown in-app) subject to the PBOC annual foreign-card cap. Balances are not deposits and are not deposit-insured.
Yes. Register WeChat with an overseas phone number (no mainland SIM required), then add a foreign card under Me -> Services -> Wallet -> Cards. Six ID types are accepted, including a passport. Seven international card networks are supported (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, Discover, Diners Club, UnionPay). Transactions of CNY 200 or less are fee-free, 3% above that; new users may get a limited-time fee waiver (see in-app notices). Red packets and transfers are not supported on foreign cards.
Local bank account: Not required. Items typically needed: An overseas mobile number that can receive SMS; Passport (or Mainland Travel Permit, Taiwan Entry Permit, Foreign Permanent Residence ID, etc.); A physical Visa / Mastercard / Amex / JCB / Discover / Diners Club / UnionPay card; The latest version of the WeChat app.
Typically: An overseas mobile number that can receive SMS; Passport (or Mainland Travel Permit, Taiwan Entry Permit, Foreign Permanent Residence ID, etc.); A physical Visa / Mastercard / Amex / JCB / Discover / Diners Club / UnionPay card; The latest version of the WeChat app.
How to sign up: Fully online inside the WeChat app — foreign phone number, passport verification, bind an international card (About 10–20 minutes online; passport review usually within hours). Steps: 1) Download or update the WeChat app 2) Register and sign in with your overseas phone number 3) Go to Me -> Services -> Wallet -> Cards -> Add a card 4) Accept the terms, fill in your identity details and upload your passport photo 5) Enter the card number, expiry date and security code 6) Make a small test payment in a store Fees: Free to open. No fee on transactions of CNY 200 or less; 3% on anything above (refunded pro-rata). Your issuer may add its own FX fee.
Unverified accounts are limited to small payments; verification raises the limits (shown in-app) subject to the PBOC annual foreign-card cap. Balances are not deposits and are not deposit-insured.
E-wallet rules change often — always follow the latest instructions in the official app.