WeChat is must have app if you are doing business with China.
Everything you need to know about WeChat — China's billion-user messaging app.
How to set up WeChat Pay for foreigners outside of China?

WeChat is must have app if you are doing business with China.
Everything you need to know about WeChat
— China's billion-user messaging app.

Hard to find someone who is connected with China and does not know what is WeChat(in Chinese 微 信 weixin).
WeChat is a Chinese multi-purpose messaging, social media and mobile payment app developed by Tencent. It was first released in 2011, and became one of the world's largest standalone mobile apps in 2018, with over 1 billion monthly active users. WeChat has been described as China's "app for everything" and a "super app" because of its wide range of functions.

As tech giant Tencent's signature product, WeChat is a combination of WhatsApp, Facebook, PayPal and more, serving as a platform to host millions of mini-programs that cover not only instant messaging needs but also ride-hailing, medical appointments, payments, food delivery services, to name a few.

We highly recommend install Wechat if you are doing business with China, manufacturing, product sourcing, or even planning a trip to China.
It's easy to discuss and negotiate all details of wholesale orders, production timelines, prices with your suppliers or direct with factory boss. You can easy create group chats with a manager, designer, engineer, your shipping agent or warehouse to be in touch during manufacturing or sourcing processes.
Make fast payments for samples or for quality inspection. Get photos/video reports, quality control reports, or container loading process.

"I can't imagine my life and business in China without WeChat anymore. We use it everywhere."
- Sergey, Union Delta.

No more plastic cards for payments - with a healthy bank balance and a smartphone equipped with WeChat, there is almost no reason to carry cash in China any longer, and paying through WeChat usually attracts no additional fee! Pay in-store payments, restaurants, train/air tickets, street-markets, pay rent and utility bills, even beggars or homeless prefer to get money by WeChat QR-code.

beggars take WeChat payments​
Even beggars take WeChat payments
WeChat Pay for Foreigners.
Most foreigners believe that WeChat is only meant for Chinese users with a Chinese ID, but the truth is the app is available to anyone with a contact number whether inside or outside China. To sign up;

  • Go to your app store and search for "WeChat", download and install the app in your iPhone or Android phone.
  • Launch the app and tap the "Sign Up" option.
  • Fill in your personal details and tap the "Sign Up" button
  • Follow the screen instructions until your account is successfully created.
wechat sign up
Activating Your WeChat Pay
Depending on the region where you downloaded the app from, you may already see the "Wallet" feature by tapping the "Me" icon at the bottom-right corner of the WeChat interface. For some regions, the option is not available and you need to activate the tool.

  • Tap the plus "+" sign at the top of the screen, next to the search icon and select "Money" from the menu that appears.
Wechat wallet
  • Tap the "Enable Now" button on the next page and then "Verify User Info" when prompted.
verify wechat
  • Here you will need to add your bankcard. WeChat supports over 300 banks and a number of foreign credit cards like VISA, MasterCard and JCB.
For Foreigners with Mainland China Bank Card
If you have a Chinese bankcard and phone number, you can add either debit or credit card. Remember, getting a bankcard needs you to work in China for longterm. The easiest way is to apply through your organization along with appropriate document proofs.

  • Simply enter your card number and press the "Next" button
  • On the next screen fill in the bank account details such as the bank name, the card type and so on and then press the "Next" button
  • Follow the instructions of the pages that follow to complete the process.
    link bank card to wechat
    For Foreigners Without a Chinese Bank Account
    If you don't have a Chinese bank account, you can still use WeChat Pay by linking a supported credit card.

    • Enter the credit card number press "Next" and then follow the instructions on the next pages to complete the process.
    • Once your card and the phone number have been verified, your WeChat Wallet will be active and you can now use the WeChat Pay.
    WeChat Pay currently supports foreign credit cards only, so debit cards will not work. Moreover, this option limits the usage to paying for purchases. You can pay to vendors like mobile top-up from WeChat Pay through the connected credit card. However, you can't perform the general transfer, Wallet top-up or send red envelops(红包 hong bao） to other users from your Wallet.
      WeChat scan payment
      You can add money to your account through the following three ways:
      • Chinese Bank Transfer – You can add funds directly to your WeChat Wallet from your Chinese bank account and use the money for transactions. Alternatively, you can directly spend the money using WeChat payment gateway to debit it from the connected bank account.
      • Peer to Peer WeChat Transfer – If you don't have a Chinese bank account, you can request a friend or a colleague to transfer money to your account either through the general transfer or the red envelop function. The transaction is free, however you can't withdraw the money if you don't have Chinese bankcard linked to your WeChat Pay.
      • Third-Party Transfer – There are many online platforms that you can use to load money to WeChat Pay but with a small fee. We do not recommend to use this method as it is illegal.
        wechat money transfer
        There are various options for making payment at the merchant's store:

        • Scanning the Merchant QR code (Quick Pay) – Scan the QR code on the device provided at the store, and directly transfer your money from your account to the merchant's account.
        • Allow the Merchant to Scan Your QR Code – Provide your phone at the store and allow the merchant to scan the code. This will take away money from your account to their account.
        • Online options include the Native and Web-based In-App Payments.
        The WeChat Pay is not only available to individuals but also foreign companies can sign up for an official account. Through the mini-programs, overseas vendors can use WeChat Pay feature to receive and make payments to suppliers in China.

          wechat money transfer chat
          Conclusion

          China is a country of cashless transactions. If you are planning to visit the country for either leisure or business, you need to embrace the available cashless payment options. One of the most convenient payment methods is using WeChat Pay. However, it needs China bankcard to to make full use of the features.
            wechat connect

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