How to use Alipay as a foreigner (Both in & outside China)
Last updated: 28 Jul 2025
Learn how to use Alipay as a foreigner, whether in or outside China and simplify global business payments with the World Card
Key takeaways
- Backed by the Alibaba group, Alipay is one of the biggest mobile payment platforms
- Alipay supports payments for e-commerce, suppliers, services and hospitality, offering convenience and speed
- Foreigners can transact up to $50,000 annually on Alipay after registering their ID
- You’ll need a supported international multi-currency card, like the World Card, to link to your Alipay account and make payments in Yuan
- The World Card offers zero foreign exchange fees in 15 currencies and cashback for cost-effective international payments
Planning to expand your business to China, placing orders with suppliers, or embarking on your first business trip there? Mobile payments through Alipay can make sending and receiving payments easy.
As of 2024, the adoption rate for mobile payments in China was over 92.8 percent, with an estimated user base of 1.029 billion. WeChat and Alipay are China’s leading mobile payment providers and have become the primary means of transferring money for many customers.
Using Alipay as a foreigner, whether in or outside China, isn’t straightforward. You’ll need a supported international multi-currency card, like the World Card, to link to your Alipay account and make payments in Yuan.
Table of Contents
What is Alipay?
Alipay, a subsidiary of the Alibaba Group, is one of the biggest mobile payment platforms worldwide. Its mobile app facilitates mobile transactions between customers and users.
Alipay goes beyond direct mobile payment transfers. You can use it to purchase retail products on e-commerce websites, book event tickets, pay utility bills and even place wholesale orders. By integrating with a wide network of banks and financial service providers, Alipay lets users make direct payments through QR codes and facial recognition.
How does Alipay work?
Alipay is a mobile payment method and digital wallet. You need to link your bank account, credit card, debit card, or other supported payment methods to your Alipay account to start making payments.
To pay through Alipay, you can either scan the merchant’s QR code or the merchant can scan your QR code to send a payment request.
To make payments through a website or shopping app, you can either choose to get redirected to the Alipay app or use your phone to scan the QR code on the payment screen.
Alipay transactions, in most cases, are processed in seconds and funds become available in the receiver’s account almost immediately after the transaction is verified and completed.
Where to use Alipay?
Alipay can be used across different customer segments and verticals, including:
E-commerce websites: You can use Alipay to purchase products on B2C websites like Taobao, Tmall and AliExpress on B2B websites like Alibaba.
Physical stores: Most physical retail stores accept Alipay payments through QR codes.
Suppliers: You can directly pay suppliers through Alipay. This can be especially helpful when you’re placing small orders.
Service providers: When travelling to China, you can pay other service providers, including utility companies and public transportation, such as oil, gas, train and bus.
Hospitality: Major tourist attractions, restaurants and hotels often accept Alipay, making it easier for travellers to enjoy a seamless payment experience without carrying cash.
Other SMEs: Alipay’s cost effectiveness, low barrier to entry and omnipresence are some of the many reasons small and medium-sized enterprises use it to send and receive payments.
Is Alipay safe and legit?
Backed by the Alibaba group, Alipay is one of the biggest mobile payment platforms, with a 54% market share in China (as of December 2022). The mobile app is used by hundreds of millions of customers every day. As a result, the company has taken various steps to ensure data privacy and the protection of end users.
Some of the many security features supported by Alipay include:
- Advanced encryption to protect the customers’ personal and financial information
- Time-limited QR codes that are only activated for a specific duration
- Real-time risk management analyses user behaviour and transaction patterns to quickly identify and flag suspicious activity
- Two-step verification requires users to enter a password or provide a biometric scan (Face ID or fingerprint)
Can you use Alipay as a foreigner in China?
The short answer is, yes. You can use Alipay as a foreigner in China and make seamless mobile payments to vendors, suppliers, hotels and other service providers.
However, this is only possible when you top up your Alipay account with an international debit or credit card or use a supported international bank account.
Also, keep in mind that depending on your card and bank account, you’ll be required to pay foreign transfer fees and currency exchange fees.
For instance, if your debit card is in AUD, then your funds will be converted to Yuan to make local transactions through Alipay.
To save more, you can opt for a multi-currency card like the World Card that supports transactions in 150+ currencies and even allows you to make payments with zero foreign exchange fees in 15+ currencies (as long as you have balances in these currencies).
You can convert your base currency into CNH at competitive exchange rates, link your World Card to Alipay and start making payments when you’re in China or abroad.
→ Learn more about World Card’s features and how to use them.
World Card is offered by WorldFirst, also a subsidiary of the Alibaba Group.
Take control of your business spending with the World Card – the smart way to manage global expenses, from supplier payments to travel costs.
- 1% cashback* on all business spend, always
- Free to apply, with no ongoing costs
- Save more with zero FX fees on 15 currencies
- Equip your team and business with up to 20 cards
- Set custom spending limits for budgeting and expense control
How to setup Alipay as a foreigner in China
Here are the steps to set up Alipay as a foreigner in China:
- Find and install the Alipay app from your App Store or Google Play store
- Open the app and select sign up.
- You’ll be prompted to add your mobile number and the verification code you receive on your phone
- Once you’re logged in, you’ll be guided to link your Alipay account to a bank account, credit card/ debit card, BNPL, or other wallets. Click on ‘Add a credit card or debit card’ and add your World Card details here.
- After your card details are added to Alipay, you are all set to make payments
Are there any restrictions for foreigners using Alipay?
After registering their ID, foreign nationals can make single transactions of up to $5,000. The annual transaction limit is $50,000.
If your business regularly makes large payments to suppliers and shipping partners in China, Alipay’s restrictions may limit your operations. You should instead consider signing up for a multi-currency account that lets you send money directly to Chinese suppliers in their preferred currency and at competitive prices.
Simplify your global business expenses with a World Card
With the World Card, you can make business payments anywhere Mastercard is accepted – including Alipay. You can get up to 20 cards at no additional cost for your business and for every card you get a unique card number, expiry date and CVV.
The World Card lets you pay in 150+ currencies with zero foreign exchange fees on 15 supported currencies (including USD, GBP, EUR, CNH, AUD, NZD, SGD and HKD).
Spending on your World Card also gets you cashback, making purchases more rewarding.
Opening a World Account and getting a World Card is free.
Disclaimer: The information contained is general only and largely our views. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions, estimates, mentioned products/services and referenced material constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing and are subject to change without notice. WorldFirst shall not be responsible for any losses or damages arising from your reliance of such information.
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