How to Use WeChat Pay with a Foreign Bank Card

Topic: Payments· Essential
Difficulty: Medium
Time needed: 30-45 minutes
Last updated: Jun 29, 2026

Quick answer

Install or update WeChat, log in with a phone number that can receive SMS, then open Me > Pay and Services.
Open Wallet > Bank Cards, add your foreign card, and set a 6-digit payment password if WeChat asks for one.
After your card is added, enable Money / Payment Code for merchant payments. Receiving money requires identity verification and may require a qualified WeChat friend to scan a QR code.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1

Install the official WeChat app

Install WeChat from your official app store before you arrive, then open it. On iPhone use the App Store; on Android use Google Play, Huawei AppGallery, or another official store available on your device.

Official WeChat app listing in the App Store — Open the official WeChat app from your store.

Step 2

Log in with your mobile number

On the login screen, set your Region, enter your home phone number, and tap Accept and Continue. You do not need a Chinese number, but the number must be able to receive SMS while you travel.

WeChat login screen showing region and mobile number fields — Use the region and phone number you can access while travelling.

Step 3

Open the Me tab

Once you are signed in, tap Me in the bottom-right corner. This is where your account and payment settings live.

WeChat Chats screen showing the Me tab in the bottom navigation — Open Me from the bottom navigation bar.

Step 4

Open Pay and Services

On the Me screen, tap Pay and Services. This opens WeChat's wallet and payment hub.

WeChat Me tab showing the Pay and Services row — Tap Pay and Services to open your wallet.

Step 5

Open Wallet

At the top of Pay and Services, tap Wallet. This is where you manage balance, cards, and payment settings.

WeChat Pay and Services screen showing the Wallet button — Open Wallet from the top of the screen.

Step 6

Open Bank Cards

In Wallet, tap Bank Cards to start linking your card.

WeChat Wallet screen showing the Bank Cards row — Tap Bank Cards to add a new card.

Step 7

Add your foreign bank card

Tap the card number field, enter your card details, then follow the prompts for expiry date, CVV, and the name on the card. WeChat usually detects your card type automatically.

WeChat Add Your Bank Card screen with the card number field highlighted — Enter your card number to begin, or tap the camera to scan it.

Step 8

Set a payment password

If prompted, set a 6-digit Weixin Pay payment password. You will enter this code to confirm payments and identity checks, so make it memorable but not obvious.

WeChat payment password screen — Choose a 6-digit payment password.

Step 9

Confirm the card is added

You will see Added once the card is linked. Your international bank card can now be used for Weixin Pay merchant payments. Tap Done.

WeChat screen showing the bank card was added successfully — The success screen confirms your card is linked.

Step 10

Open Money

Go back to Pay and Services and tap Money. This is where your payment code lives.

WeChat Pay and Services screen with Money highlighted — Tap Money to open your payment code.

Step 11

Enable the payment function

The first time you open it, the payment code may be switched off. Read the notice, then tap Agree and enable. This payment code is for CNY transactions.

WeChat Money screen asking the user to agree and enable payment code — Tap Agree and enable to activate your payment code.

Step 12

Confirm with your payment password

Enter the 6-digit payment password you set earlier to confirm your identity and finish enabling the code.

WeChat identity verification screen asking for payment password — Enter your payment password to confirm.

Step 13

Use your payment code

You now have a barcode and a QR code. In a shop, tap to view the payment code and show it to the cashier to scan. Check that the correct card is selected as your default payment method before you pay.

WeChat Money screen showing the payment code and default payment card — Show this barcode or QR code for the cashier to scan.

Receive money setup

To receive money, verify your identity

Paying merchants and receiving money are different levels of access. Receiving transfers, red packets, or using your own receive-money code requires identity verification.

WeChat Money screen showing the Receive Money entry — Tap Receive Money to start.

WeChat notice asking the user to complete identity information — Tap Complete Now when WeChat asks for identity information.

Verification 1

Tap Verify Now

The Verify Identity screen explains that verification can unlock Balance, Red Packets, Transfers, Receiving money, and higher limits. Tap Verify Now to continue.

WeChat Verify Identity screen with Verify Now button — Tap Verify Now to begin verification.

Verification 2

Select Passport as your ID type

Under For Non-Chinese Citizens / Overseas Chinese, choose Passport. This is the correct ID type for most foreign visitors.

WeChat Select ID Type sheet showing Passport — Choose Passport as your ID type.

Verification 3

Confirm and start verification

Check that the ID Type shows Passport. The screen previews two tasks: upload your passport photo page and complete face verification. Tap Next.

WeChat Verify ID Info screen showing Passport and Next button — Confirm Passport is selected, then tap Next.

Verification 4

Upload your passport and scan your face

Upload a clear photo of your passport's photo page, then complete the face scan. Use bright, even light, hold the phone at eye level, and remove glasses if WeChat asks.

WeChat passport upload screen — Upload your passport photo page to continue.

If verification succeeds, WeChat may unlock more wallet features. If it asks for friend verification, use the path below.

Friend verification

A qualified WeChat friend may need to help

Some accounts are asked to have another WeChat user confirm the verification by scanning a QR code. This is normal, but the helper account must meet WeChat's requirements.

Verification 1

Add a suitable contact

If you do not already have a suitable friend on WeChat, add one. On the Chats screen, tap the + in the top-right corner and choose Add Contacts.

WeChat Chats screen showing Add Contacts in the plus menu — Tap + and choose Add Contacts to add your friend.

Verification 2

Ask your friend to scan the verification QR

A QR code appears during verification. Ask your helper to scan it with WeChat and do not close the page until the verification is complete.

Privacy-safe WeChat friend verification QR screen — Have your friend scan the QR code to complete verification.

If one friend's account does not qualify, ask another. Once verification succeeds, receive-money features and higher wallet access may become available.

Helpful?

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Before you rely on it

Q&A

Can foreigners use WeChat Pay with a foreign bank card?

Yes. Many foreign visitors can link a supported international card to Weixin Pay / WeChat Pay for merchant payments in mainland China, though availability can depend on the card, issuer, account status, and current WeChat rules.

Do I need a Chinese phone number?

Not always. A foreign number can work if it can receive SMS or account verification messages while you travel. A Chinese number may still make some China app flows easier.

Can I pay immediately after adding a card?

Usually you can start with merchant payments after the card is added and the payment code is enabled. Test a small payment first before relying on it for taxis, hotels, trains, or restaurants.

Why does WeChat ask for identity verification?

WeChat may ask for identity verification when you use receive-money features, higher limits, or account-sensitive payment functions. For most foreign visitors, Passport is the ID type to choose.

Why does a friend need to scan a QR code?

Some WeChat accounts are asked to complete friend verification. The helper usually needs an older, active WeChat account with Weixin Pay enabled and no recent helper-verification use.

Can I receive money after linking a foreign card?

Receiving money is separate from paying merchants. You may need identity verification and friend verification before transfers, red packets, or receive-money code features work.

What if my card fails?

Check whether your card supports international online payments, 3-D Secure, and app-based verification. If it still fails, try another card and keep Alipay or RMB cash as backup.

Should I use WeChat Pay or Alipay first?

For most first-time visitors, set up both. Alipay is often easier as a tourist payment backup, while WeChat Pay is useful because many social groups, mini programs, and daily services already live inside WeChat.