- Go to your app store and search for “WeChat,” download, and install the app on your iPhone or Android phone.
- Launch the app and tap the “Register” option.
- Fill in your personal details and tap the “Register” button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions until your account is successfully created.
Activating Your WeChat Pay
Depending on the region where you downloaded the app, you might have already seen the “Wallet” feature by tapping the “Me” icon in the bottom right corner of the WeChat interface. For some regions, this option is not available, and you need to activate the tool.
- Tap the plus sign “+” next to the search icon at the top of the screen, and select “Money” from the menu that appears.
- Tap the “Enable Now” button on the following page, and then tap “Verify User Information” when prompted.
Here, you need to add your bank card. WeChat supports over 300 banks and multiple international credit cards such as VISA, Mastercard, and JCB.
Foreigners with Mainland Chinese Bank Cards
If you have a bank card and a phone number, you can add either a debit or credit card. Remember, obtaining a bank card requires you to work in China long-term. The easiest method is to apply through your organization and provide the appropriate documentation.
- Simply enter your card number and press “Next.”
- On the next screen, fill in your bank account details, such as bank name and card type, and press “Next.”
- Follow the instructions on the subsequent pages to complete the process.
Foreigners Without a Bank Account
If you don’t have a bank account, you can still use WeChat Pay by binding a supported credit card.
- Enter your credit card number and press “Next,” then follow the instructions on the following pages to complete the process.
Once your card and phone number are verified, your WeChat Wallet will be activated, and you can now use WeChat Pay.
WeChat Pay currently only supports international credit cards; debit cards are not supported. Additionally, this option will have usage restrictions limited to paying for purchase fees. You can make payments to suppliers like mobile top-up vendors from WeChat Pay using your linked credit card. However, you cannot make general transfers to other users, top up your wallet, or send red packets from your e-wallet.
Depositing Money into Your WeChat Wallet
You can top up your account in three ways:
- Bank Transfer – You can directly add funds to your WeChat Wallet from your bank account and use the funds for transactions. Alternatively, you can use the WeChat Pay gateway to debit funds directly from your associated bank account.
- Peer-to-Peer WeChat Transfers – If you don’t have a bank account, you can request friends or colleagues to transfer money to your account via regular transfer or red packet features. The transaction is free, but you cannot withdraw the money if your WeChat Pay is not linked to a bank card.
- Third-Party Transfers – You can use many online platforms to deposit money into WeChat Pay, but there is a small fee involved. We do not recommend this method as it is illegal.
Using WeChat Pay for Payments
There are several ways to pay at a merchant’s store:
- Scanning the Merchant’s QR Code (Quick Pay) – Scan the QR code provided by the store on their device to transfer money directly from your account to the merchant’s account.
- Allowing the Merchant to Scan Your QR Code – Provide your phone to the store and allow them to scan your QR code. This will transfer money from your account to theirs.
- Online options include in-app and web-based payments.
WeChat Pay is not only open to individuals; foreign companies can also register for official accounts. Through mini-programs, overseas vendors can use WeChat Pay features to collect and make payments to suppliers.
Countries Where WeChat Pay is Available
Although you can download the WeChat app from the app store, WeChat Pay is only available in a few countries/regions. If you are in Mainland China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, South Africa, and Malaysia, you can use WeChat Pay.
You cannot use WeChat Pay in countries outside the aforementioned list. If someone sends you a red packet in your wallet, you must link your Mainland Chinese bank card within 24 hours to withdraw the money; otherwise, it will be returned to the sender. You cannot transfer the available balance in your wallet to a bank card outside of Mainland China. This is an important point to remember: WeChat is not a money transfer app. You need to visit a bank and provide proof of income for overseas money transfers.
