๐Ÿ’ฌ
Home Apps Pricing Blog About Contact Get Help
๐Ÿ’ธ Alipay Guide

How to Sign Up for Alipay Account as a Foreigner (2026 Complete Guide)

๐Ÿ“… May 2026  |  โฑ๏ธ 8 min read  |  ๐ŸŒ International Guide

Alipay is China's most widely used payment platform, owned by Alibaba Group (Ant Group). It was launched in 2004 and has grown far beyond a payment app. Today it handles shopping, utilities, travel bookings, healthcare, and much more. If you want to shop on Taobao, Tmall, or 1688, you need Alipay. Good news โ€” foreigners can register and use Alipay from anywhere in the world.

โ„น๏ธ Note: To fully activate Alipay's payment functions, you generally need a bank card issued by mainland China. However, you can still register an Alipay account and browse Chinese platforms without one. International card linking is also available for basic payments.

What Can Alipay Do?

Method 1: Register Alipay via App (Recommended)

Download Alipay App

Download the official Alipay app from Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS). There are two versions โ€” "Alipay" (international) and "ๆ”ฏไป˜ๅฎ" (China domestic). For foreigners, use the international version labeled "Alipay" for better English support.

Tap "ๅŒๆ„" to Agree to Privacy Policy

When you first open the app, agree to the privacy policy. You can change the language by tapping the "language ่ฏญ่จ€" button in the top right corner. Select English for easier navigation.

Enter Your Phone Number

Select your country code from the dropdown and enter your phone number. Use a real SIM card number โ€” virtual numbers are not accepted. Tap Next and agree to the Service Agreement.

Enter SMS Verification Code

Alipay will send an SMS code to your phone. Enter it in the app within the time limit. This confirms your phone number and creates your account.

Set Up Your Password

Create a login password. Your payment PIN will be set separately โ€” this is a 6-digit code used every time you make a payment. Keep it different from your login password.

Complete Real Name Verification (for Full Features)

Go to Me โ†’ Settings โ†’ Identity Verification. Submit your passport details. This step unlocks transfer and payment features. Some functions require a mainland China bank card in addition to your passport.

Link a Bank Card

Tap Me โ†’ Bank Cards โ†’ Add Card. You can link an international Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or JCB card for basic in-store payments. For full balance top-up and withdrawal, a Chinese bank card is needed.

Method 2: Register via Webpage

Go to alipay.com in your browser. Click "็ซ‹ๅณๆณจๅ†Œ" (Register Now). Agree to privacy policy by clicking "ๅŒๆ„". Select "ไธชไบบ่ดฆๆˆท" for a personal account. Choose your country, enter your phone number, get the SMS code, and verify.

๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Always pay in RMB (Chinese Yuan) when using Alipay to avoid extra currency conversion fees from your bank. Alipay itself does not charge transaction fees for most in-store QR code payments.
โš ๏ธ Warning: Do not download Alipay APK files from unofficial third-party websites. Only use official app stores. Fake Alipay apps can steal your credentials and financial information.

Alipay for Taobao & Chinese Shopping

The main reason most international users want Alipay is to shop on Chinese platforms. With Alipay linked to your account, you can buy from Taobao, Tmall, 1688 and JD.com. Note that some advanced features like direct balance transfers may still require a Chinese bank card. Contact us if you need help setting up Alipay specifically for shopping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Alipay has a full international version supporting foreign passports and international credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, Amex and JCB.
Not for basic registration and in-store payments. For full features like balance top-up and withdrawal, a Chinese bank card is recommended.
International Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB and Diners Club are all supported for basic payments.
Alipay is primarily for use in China. International use is limited โ€” mainly for paying Chinese merchants or buying from Chinese platforms online.
Yes. Alipay uses advanced encryption and real-time fraud detection. Set up two-factor authentication for extra security.

People Also Search For

how to sign up alipay accountalipay registration for foreignersalipay without chinese bank cardalipay international user guide 2026alipay real name verification passportalipay for taobao shoppingcreate alipay account outside chinaalipay international card linking

Need Help Setting Up Alipay?

We help international clients set up Alipay every day โ€” including real-name verification, card linking and shopping setup.

๐Ÿ“ฑ WhatsApp Us โœˆ๏ธ Telegram