Which cards work
Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express and some UnionPay cards are supported in many cases, but support depends on the app, your country and the issuing bank. A card that works for online purchases may still be blocked for China payments. Try a second card if the first fails.
Verification
You will need your passport, a phone number for SMS and sometimes a selfie/liveness check. The name on the card should match your passport. If the app asks for a Chinese address, use your hotel address. Do not use someone else’s identity or card.
Troubleshooting
- Enable international/foreign transactions with your bank.
- Check the card’s daily limit and available balance.
- Try a smaller payment first.
- Switch between credit and debit if the app allows.
- Contact the app’s English support with a screenshot.
- Use cash or a second app while waiting.
Reality check
Most failures are bank-side fraud blocks, not app bugs. Call the bank before you conclude the app is broken.
Local tip: Tell your bank the exact travel dates and countries.
Step by step
- Open the app’s “Cards” or “Wallet” section.
- Add the card number, expiry and CVV.
- Complete passport/identity verification.
- Verify with the SMS code from your bank.
- Make a small test payment.
- Save a screenshot of the error if it fails.
Typical costs
| Item | Cost / note |
|---|---|
| Card linking | Free |
| Foreign transaction fee | Typically 1–3%, depending on bank |
| ATM withdrawal | Fees vary |
Prices are indicative and change. Confirm with the official provider before paying.
Documents to prepare
- Passport
- Card and phone
- Hotel address in Chinese
- Bank’s customer-service number
Common mistakes
- Name mismatch between card and passport.
- Not enabling foreign transactions.
- Using a virtual card that the app does not support.
- Entering a fake Chinese address or identity.
If things go wrong
- If the card will not link, try a debit card or a second bank.
- If verification loops, use the app’s English support and send screenshots.
FAQ
Why was my card declined?
Common reasons: bank fraud block, card not enabled for foreign transactions, name mismatch, or app/card incompatibility. Call your bank first.
Can I use a debit card?
Sometimes. Support varies; try it and keep a credit card as backup.
Do I need a Chinese bank account?
Not for short visits. A Chinese account helps for longer stays, refunds and some services.
Money in China: the field guide
China is a mobile-payment economy with a cash safety net. The goal is not to find the one perfect app; it is to have two working payment paths and a small cash reserve.
Build a payment stack
Use Alipay or WeChat Pay as primary, the other as backup, a physical bank card as third, and a few hundred RMB as fourth. Test each before you depend on it. A card that works in a hotel may fail at a noodle shop; that is normal, not a crisis.
Understand the fees
Foreign cards can carry a 1–3% foreign-transaction fee, and ATMs add their own charges. When a terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in RMB; the conversion is usually worse. Keep receipts for refunds and tax claims.
Fraud and mistakes
Never share a payment QR code, SMS code or password. Do not let a stranger “help” you pay and then keep your phone. If a payment fails, stop after two attempts and switch method; repeated retries can lock the card. If you are overcharged, ask for the bill and dispute through the app or your bank.
Quick checks
- Two payment apps tested
- One physical card plus cash
- Bank told about travel dates
- No shared QR codes or SMS codes
- Receipts kept for refunds
Printable checklist
Print this page or save it as a PDF. Tick each item before you go.
- Passport
- Card and phone
- Hotel address in Chinese
- Bank’s customer-service number
- Open the app’s “Cards” or “Wallet” section.
- Add the card number, expiry and CVV.
- Complete passport/identity verification.
- Verify with the SMS code from your bank.
- Make a small test payment.
- Save a screenshot of the error if it fails.
This guide is a practical summary, not an official or legal document. Rules and prices change. Use the official links below, and confirm with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
Last verified 2026-10-29. China Handbook is independent and not affiliated with any government. Information is provided for general guidance only.