Alipay Settings for New Arrivals
Configure Alipay for local use: verify identity, link bank card, set payment preferences, and secure your account.
No published figure yet. The authority does not publish this cost in a form we could verify and quote, so this guide covers the procedure only: what to bring, in what order, and where it goes wrong. We will add the figures the moment there is a source for them.
In order
- Open the Alipay app and go to Settings — Tap the gear icon on the 'My' tab to access account and security options.
- Switch region to China if needed — In Settings, find 'Region' and select 'China' to access local services and payment features.
- Complete identity verification — Under 'Account Security', choose 'Real-name Verification' and follow the passport and face scan instructions.
- Add your Chinese bank card — Go to 'Bank Cards', tap 'Add', enter the card details, and confirm with the SMS code from your bank.
- Set your default payment method — In 'Payment Settings', choose whether to pay from your bank card or Alipay balance first.
- Adjust password-free payment limits — In 'Payment Settings', toggle the small-amount password-free option and set the threshold to a level you are comfortable with.
- Set a payment password and biometric unlock — In 'Security Settings', create a six-digit password and enable fingerprint or face recognition for payments.
- Review active devices and log out unknown ones — In 'Security Settings', check 'Device Management' and remove any device you do not recognize.
When you arrive, Alipay is essential for paying for transport, food, and utilities. This guide walks you through the settings you need to adjust so the app works reliably with your foreign documents and local bank account. Complete these steps in order to avoid payment failures.
Before You Start
You need a smartphone with the Alipay app installed and a local SIM card or Wi-Fi connection. Have your passport and your Chinese bank card ready, because you will enter both during setup. If you already have an Alipay account from another country, you may need to switch the app region to China. Do this in the app’s settings before proceeding.
Verify Your Identity
Alipay requires identity verification to lift transaction limits and enable full features. Without it, you can only make small payments. Use your passport for verification. The app will ask you to photograph the passport page and sometimes your face. Follow the on-screen prompts exactly.
Link a Local Bank Card
A Chinese bank card is necessary for most transactions and for withdrawing cash. You can link a card from a major Chinese bank, but the card must be in your name. Enter the card number, expiry date, and the phone number you registered with the bank. You will receive a text code to confirm.
Set Payment Preferences
Choose which payment method is used first when you scan a merchant QR code. You can set the default to your bank card or to Alipay balance. Enable or disable ‘small-amount password-free payments’ for quick transactions under a set limit. Decide based on your security comfort.
Secure Your Account
Set a strong six-digit payment password and enable fingerprint or face unlock if your phone supports it. Also add a secondary verification method, like a second phone number or email. Review your login devices and log out any you do not recognize. Check your transaction history regularly for unauthorized charges.
Confirm before you act
Fees and processing times change. This page was checked on 2026-11-10; confirm the current rule with the authority named in each source above before you rely on a deadline.
Last checked 2026-11-10, next review 2027-05-09. Every figure above names its source and the date it was read. This page is a guide, not legal, tax or immigration advice — confirm with the authority before acting on a deadline.