Quick Answer
Yes, foreigners can use Alipay—but only after identity verification and a real test payment.
Alipay often appears ready before it actually works.
Do not rely on it until you have completed a successful in-store payment.
The Core Reality (Why Alipay “Looks Ready” but Fails)
Alipay has multiple activation layers:
- App installed
- Account created
- Identity verified
- Card bound
- Risk checks passed at first payment
Skipping any step leads to silent failures at the counter.
What Alipay Works Well For
Once fully working, Alipay is reliable for:
- Supermarkets and convenience stores
- Restaurants and cafes
- Metro and bus payments
- Taxis and ride-hailing
- Attractions and ticketing
Coverage is broad—but only after activation is complete.
Exact Actions: Set Up Alipay the Right Way
1. Install and switch the app to English
- Install Alipay from the app store
- Go to Me → Settings → General → Language → English
- Restart the app once
If English is missing, update the app.
2. Complete identity verification (mandatory)
- Go to Me → Settings → Account and Security
- Choose Identity Verification
- Select Passport
- Submit passport details exactly as shown
Until this step is complete, payments are unreliable.
3. Bind a foreign card
- Go to Me → Wallet → Cards → Add card
- Enter card details carefully
- Use the same name order as your passport
If binding fails, try another card—some issuers block wallet use.
4. Locate the two payment modes
- Scan → you scan merchant QR
- Pay/Collect → Pay → cashier scans your code
You must be able to access both.
5. Make a real test payment (non-negotiable)
Before relying on Alipay:
- Go to a convenience store
- Buy a low-cost item
- Complete a full payment successfully
If this fails, do not assume it will work later.
Common Alipay Failure Points (Know These)
- Identity verification still “under review”
- Card bound but issuer blocks transactions
- Merchant terminal does not accept foreign cards
- Wrong QR flow used at checkout
- Network instability during payment
Most failures are predictable, not random.
Failure Scenarios & Fixes
- Payment stuck on “Processing”: stop, check Bills, do not retry.
- “Transaction not allowed”: switch card or wallet, or use cash.
- Cashier scans but nothing happens: increase screen brightness or switch flow.
- Scan opens transfer page: wrong QR—cancel immediately.
- Works in one city, fails in another: merchant settings differ—switch method.
Always have a backup ready.
Reality Check
- Alipay is not instant-ready.
- First payment is the real activation.
- Some merchants reject foreign cards silently.
- Locals switch methods quickly—so should you.
Reliability comes from testing, not assumptions.
What Locals Do Instead
- Locals test wallets early.
- Locals keep multiple payment methods.
- Locals switch instantly if a terminal fails.
- Locals do not troubleshoot in line.
Adopt the same behavior.
Checklist
- App installed and set to English.
- Identity verification completed.
- At least one foreign card bound.
- Scan and Pay modes located.
- One successful test payment completed.
- Backup payment ready.