Alipay Setup and Use Guide

A first-time visitor guide to registering Alipay, completing identity verification, linking an international bank card, and using QR code payments in China.

Before you begin, please prepare the following:

  • A valid passport (the name must exactly match the name on your bank card)
  • A foreign mobile phone number (capable of receiving SMS verification codes; virtual numbers are not accepted)
  • A foreign-issued bank card: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club are supported; American Express (Amex) has limited support
  • A stable internet connection
  • A well-lit environment (for taking a clear photo of your passport)

We recommend completing registration and linking your bank card before departure, as network conditions in mainland China may affect certain verification steps.

Guide Steps
  1. 1. Download the Alipay App
  2. 2. Register an Account with an Overseas Phone Number
  3. 3. Real-Name Verification and Facial Recognition (Optional)
  4. 4. Link a Foreign Bank Card
  5. 5. Set Payment Password
  6. 6. Scan to Pay
1

Download the Alipay App

For an introduction to Alipay and official download links, visit our Alipay app page. Ensure you download the latest version, as older versions may not support passport verification.

This step covers only app download—not registration. After downloading, proceed to the next step to create an account using an overseas mobile number.

2

Register an Account with an Overseas Phone Number

Alipay Setup and Use Guide
  1. Open the Alipay app and tap "Sign Up".
  2. Select the correct country/region code (e.g., Singapore +65, USA +1).
  3. Enter your mobile number and tap "Next".
  4. Enter the SMS verification code you receive to complete verification.
  5. Set your login password as prompted.

Virtual numbers or deactivated SIM cards cannot be used; otherwise, subsequent steps will not proceed.

3

Real-Name Verification and Facial Recognition (Optional)

Alipay Setup and Use Guide

Real-name verification is an optional step. Users who have not completed verification can still link bank cards and use Alipay normally; however, their per-transaction and annual payment limits are lower. Completing verification significantly increases these limits.

What’s the difference between verified and unverified users?

TypeVerified UsersUnverified Users
Per-Transaction LimitUSD 5,000USD 500
Annual Cumulative LimitUSD 50,000USD 2,000

Fee Schedule (Same for Both)

Transaction AmountFee Rate
≤ CNY 2000%
> CNY 2003%

To complete verification, follow these steps:

  1. Tap "Account" at the bottom of the screen.
  2. Tap ⚙️ Settings.
  3. Navigate to "Account & Security".
  4. Tap "Real-Name Verification".
  5. Tap "Change Country/Region" in the top-right corner and select your country of nationality.
  6. Select "Passport" as your ID type.
  7. Enter your: full name, passport number, expiration date, and date of birth.
  8. Upload a clear photo of your passport’s data page (the page containing your photo).
  9. Tap "Submit" and wait for review (typically takes a few minutes to several hours).

After uploading your passport, the system may prompt you to complete face verification. Tap "Verify Face" as instructed, position your face in front of the camera, and follow on-screen prompts to rotate your head or blink. The system will automatically compare your live face with the photo on your passport. Once matched, verification is complete.

Tip: Remove glasses and hats, ensure your face is well-lit, and avoid backlighting.

Passport Photo Tips: Take the photo in natural light, avoid glare and blurriness, and ensure all text is clear and legible.

Common Reasons for Verification Failure: Glare or blurriness in the passport photo, an expired passport, or information entered that does not match the passport.

5

Set Payment Password

Alipay Setup and Use Guide

When binding a card or making your first payment, the system will prompt you to set a 6-digit payment password.

Setup recommendations:

  • Avoid easily guessable passwords, such as birthdays or consecutive numbers (e.g., 123456).
  • Your payment password is separate from your login password; you must enter it to confirm each payment.
  • If you forget it, you can reset it via "Settings → Account & Security → Payment Password".
6

Scan to Pay

Alipay offers two basic payment methods:

Method A: Scan the merchant’s QR code (you scan the merchant)

  1. Open the Alipay home screen and tap "Scan".
  2. Aim your device’s camera at the merchant’s displayed Alipay QR code.
  3. Enter the payment amount (required for static QR codes).
  4. Enter your payment password to confirm.

Method B: Show your payment QR code (merchant scans you)

  1. Open the Alipay home screen and tap "Pay" or "Pay/Receive".
  2. Show the barcode/QR code (payment code) displayed on your screen.
  3. The merchant scans it with a barcode scanner, and the payment is automatically processed.
  4. Enter your payment password to confirm.


Tip: You can also find your personal receiving QR code under "Pay/Receive" on the Alipay home screen—simply display your QR code for others to scan and pay you.

Alipay Setup and Use Guide
Alipay Setup and Use Guide