Alipay 2025: Complete Registration Guide for Tourists in China

✅ Up-to-date guide for 2025. How to register, top up, and use Alipay without a Chinese bank card. Verified personally by a guide in China.

📅 Updated: March 15, 2025 ⏱ Registration time: 15-20 minutes ✅ Status: Working in 2025
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⚠ Important update for 2025

I have been living in Shanghai for 8 years and constantly help tourists with payment systems. Since March 2024, Alipay has tightened requirements: passport verification has become mandatory for all foreigners. Without it, you will not be able to pay. This guide is current as of March 2025.

📊 Alipay in 2025: what has changed for tourists?

The payment situation in China is constantly changing. Here is a comparison over the last 3 years:

Function / Year 2023 2024 2025 (March)
Passport verification Recommended Partially mandatory Mandatory for all
Linking Russian cards Not working Not working Not working
International Visa/MC cards Work Work with 3% fee Work with 3% fee (from 200„)
Alipay TourCard (virtual) Available Available, rate 1.02 Available, rate 1.02-1.03
Top-up via exchangers Works Works Best method in 2025
🚹 Critically important in 2025: Cards from Russian banks (including MIR) do not work with Alipay. If you try to link them, the app may break. Use international cards or top up via exchangers.

đŸ“± Step-by-step Alipay registration in 2025

Complete instructions considering the changes of 2024-2025. Time required: 15-20 minutes.

Step 1: Download the app (important!)

Download the correct version: In App Store/Google Play search for "Alipay - live better" (developer: Ant Group).

💡 Tip for 2025: Do not download "AlipayHK" (for Hong Kong) or "Alipay+". You need the version for mainland China. If it is not available in your region, change your App Store/Google Play region to China or use direct links.

Direct links (March 2025):

Alipay app in 2025

The interface may differ slightly, but the main elements remain the same.

Step 2: Register with a phone number

Important: Use a number that you have access to in China (your home SIM or eSIM).

  1. Open the app, click "Sign Up" or "æłšć†Œ"
  2. Select your country code: +7 for Russia, +380 for Ukraine, +375 for Belarus
  3. Enter your phone number (without the leading 8 or 0)
  4. Receive an SMS code and enter it
  5. Accept the user agreement (Agree)
Entering phone number in Alipay
⚠ Problem in 2025: Some operators block SMS from Alipay. If the code does not arrive:
  • Check that roaming is enabled
  • Try again in 5 minutes
  • Use an eSIM (recommended for China)

Step 3: Passport verification (MANDATORY since 2024)

Without this step, you will not be able to pay in 2025!

  1. In the menu, select: Me → Account & Security → Real-Name Verification
  2. Select your passport issuing country
  3. Click "Scan passport" and scan the photo page
  4. The system will auto-fill the data (check it!)
  5. Take a selfie (follow the on-screen instructions)
  6. Wait for verification (usually 1-5 minutes)
🚹 Critically important:
  • Passport must be valid (validity > 6 months)
  • The photo must be clear, without glare
  • Take the selfie in good lighting, without glasses/hat
  • First and last name must match the passport (in Latin letters)
Passport verification in Alipay

Step 4: Set your payment password

This password will be required for every payment. Do not forget it!

  1. Go to: Me → Settings → Payment Settings
  2. Select "Payment Password"
  3. Set a 6-digit numeric password
  4. Confirm the password
  5. (Optional) Enable fingerprint/face verification
Setting payment password
💡 Forgot your password? You can reset it via SMS confirmation, but it takes time. Better to write it down in a safe place.

Step 5: Topping up your account in 2025

Top-up methods for foreigners (March 2025):

🎯 Method 1: Via exchanger (recommended)

The most reliable method in 2025:

  1. Start the bot: @ZGC_Exchange_bot
  2. Select "Top up Alipay"
  3. Enter your Alipay phone number (in format +7XXXXXXXXXX)
  4. Enter your full name as in passport (Latin letters)
  5. Follow the instructions for payment (card, crypto, etc.)
  6. Receive yuan in your account within 5-30 minutes

Exchange rate: 1 yuan ≈ 1.02-1.03 rubles (March 2025)

💳 Method 2: International Visa/Mastercard card

Limitations in 2025:

  • 3% fee on purchases over 200 yuan
  • Cannot transfer money to other users
  • Cannot withdraw to card
  • Cannot pay in some stores

How to link: Me → Bank Cards → Add Card

🔄 Method 3: Alipay TourCard (virtual card)

Special virtual card for tourists:

  • Top up with any international card
  • Limit: up to 10,000 yuan
  • Validity: 90 days
  • Find in the app: Search → "TourCard"

❓ Having problems with registration?

I can help you with any difficulties:

🔧 Help with passport verification
💳 Consultation on topping up
đŸ“± App setup assistance
🔄 Solving blocking issues
Write on Telegram

I reply within 1-2 hours

❓ Frequently asked questions about Alipay in 2025

Do Russian cards work in Alipay in 2025? ▌
No, they do not work. Cards from Russian banks (including MIR, Tinkoff, Sberbank) cannot be linked to Alipay. Attempting to link may break the app (you will need to reinstall). Use: 1) International Visa/Mastercard cards (but with a 3% fee), 2) Top-up via exchangers, 3) Alipay TourCard.
Is passport verification mandatory in 2025? ▌
Yes, it is mandatory. Since 2024, Alipay requires passport verification for all foreign users. Without it, you cannot make payments. You need a valid passport (validity > 6 months) and a selfie.
How much money can I put on Alipay? ▌
For verified foreigners, limits in 2025:
  • Single top-up: up to 50,000 yuan
  • Annual limit: up to 500,000 yuan
  • Single payment: up to 5,000 yuan
  • Daily limit: up to 20,000 yuan
These limits are sufficient for most tourists.
What should I do if my account is blocked? ▌
New accounts of foreigners are sometimes automatically blocked. Solution:
  1. Don't panic - this is common practice
  2. Wait 24-72 hours (often unblocked automatically)
  3. Write to Alipay support via the app
  4. Attach a photo of your passport (again)
  5. If not unblocked within a week, create a new account with a different number
Prevention: register 1 month before your trip.
Alipay or WeChat Pay: which is better for tourists in 2025? ▌
Alipay is better for foreigners in 2025:
  • More friendly English interface
  • Easier verification for foreigners
  • TourCard (specifically for tourists)
  • Accepted in 99% of places (like WeChat Pay)
WeChat Pay is more difficult: requires a verified WeChat account (often needs a Chinese friend to confirm). I recommend Alipay.
How to pay for taxis, metro, restaurants? ▌
Paying in China via Alipay (2025):
  • DiDi taxi: There is a "DiDi" mini-app in Alipay → enter address → pay with Alipay
  • Metro: In some cities (Shanghai, Beijing) you can use "Transport" in Alipay
  • Restaurants/shops: Click "Pay" → scan the seller's QR code → enter amount → payment password
  • Online orders: Many websites accept Alipay (choose at checkout)
Always have cash as a backup option.

🔄 What to do if Alipay doesn't work?

Alternative payment methods in China in 2025:

💰 Cash yuan (CNY)

Always works everywhere. Exchange dollars/euros at Chinese banks (Bank of China, ICBC). Do not exchange at the airport - bad rate. Bring enough small denominations (10, 20, 50 yuan).

💳 UnionPay card

The only international card that works in China almost everywhere. Can be obtained from some Russian banks (Gazprombank). Accepted in 95% of places.

đŸ“± WeChat Pay

Difficult for foreigners (needs help from a Chinese friend for verification), but if successful - works as well as Alipay.

🏩 Bank transfers via Wise/Revolut

Can be sent to accounts of Chinese friends/partners, but not for store payments.

💡 My advice as a guide: Always have 3 options: 1) Alipay with topped-up balance, 2) Cash yuan, 3) UnionPay card. This insures you against any problems.

🎯 Conclusion: Alipay in 2025

Main changes for tourists in 2025:

  1. Passport verification has become mandatory (since 2024)
  2. Russian cards do not work (already for 2 years)
  3. Best top-up method - via exchangers (@ZGC_Exchange_bot)
  4. International cards work, but with a 3% fee from 200 yuan
  5. Register a month in advance to avoid blocks
⚠ Important! Do not leave registration for the last day. In 2025, the process takes 15-20 minutes, but verification delays are possible. It is better to do everything in advance and test a small top-up (100 yuan).
Guide updated: March 15, 2025 Verified personally: Alexander, guide in China Questions: Telegram