How to Create and Set Up Alipay: A 2026 Guide for Foreigners

UPDATED FOR 2026

In 2026, you cannot navigate China without a digital wallet. While many travelers worry about the complexity, finding out how to create an Alipay account as a foreigner is now easier than ever—provided you follow the correct verification steps. Having Alipay set up can be really convenient and make paying for things much easier. Set up Alipay before you arrive in China for the best chance of everything going smoothly.

How to Create an Alipay Account (Step by Step)

1. Download the Alipay App

Start by downloading the Alipay app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Use the International version as this optimised for foreign phone numbers.

2. Register with Your Foreign Phone Number

Open the app and sign up using your foreign mobile number. You’ll get a confirmation code via SMS.

3. Add Your Bank Card

Link your foreign debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Amex are usually supported). This allows you to pay merchants directly through Alipay.

4. Complete Identity Verification

To avoid issues later, complete the passport verification (and sometimes a face scan). This unlocks more features and reduces the chance of payments being declined.

To complete this step, go to "Settings", "Account and Security", and then "Verify Now". Enter your information and upload your passport to complete identity verification.

👉 Tip: Do all of this before you arrive in China. It’s much easier to set up Alipay outside the country.

5. How to Use Alipay Once It’s Set Up

Once your account is ready, paying with Alipay is very simple:

• Scan to Pay – Tap the Scan button in the app, scan the merchant’s QR code, and enter the amount you need to pay. The money is then taken directly from your linked card.

• Show Your Code – Tap the Pay/Receive button, which generates your personal payment QR code. The merchant will scan it, and the payment will be processed automatically.

Both options work instantly, and you’ll get a confirmation message in the app.

Common Problems with Alipay (and How to Avoid Them)

Even though foreigners can use Alipay, there are still a few issues travellers often face:

• Small shops may not accept it – Big hotels, restaurants, and attractions usually accept foreign-linked Alipay, but small street vendors and rural shops may not.
  👉 Solution: Always carry some cash for backup in rural areas and small vendors.

• Verification issues – If you haven’t completed your passport verification, your account may get frozen.
  👉 Solution: Upload your passport details in advance to unlock full access.

• Transaction fees – Alipay usually charges a 3% fee for transactions over 200 RMB.
  👉 Solution: Try and keep small transactions under 200 RMB to save money, or use a currency card like Wise to top up in RMB before you use the app (see below)

  Why is my Alipay Face Scan Failing?

  For many travelers, the "Face Scan" (Biometric Verification) is the most frustrating part of the setup process. In 2026, Alipay’s security AI has become more rigorous to prevent fraud, which often leads to "System Busy" or "Verification Failed" errors for foreigners.

  If you are stuck in a verification loop, here are the three most common reasons and how to fix them:

  1. The "Region Lock" (Privacy Settings)

  If you are trying to verify from the UK, EU, or Canada, the face scan option may fail to load or crash immediately. This is often due to the app's attempt to comply with local biometric privacy laws (like GDPR).

  • The Solution: Turn off your Wi-Fi and switch to Mobile Data to change your IP's digital footprint. If it still fails, don't panic—many travelers find the "Face Scan" prompt finally works the moment they land in China and connect to a local network. You could also try using a VPN.

  2. Lighting and "Liveness" Detection

  Alipay’s 2026 update uses "Liveness Detection," which looks for micro-movements to ensure you aren't holding up a photo. Poor lighting can make the AI think you are a static image.

  • The Solution: Perform the scan in natural daylight facing a window. Avoid overhead artificial lights that create shadows in your eye sockets, as the AI needs to clearly see your pupils to verify "liveness." Use a plain, neutral background (like a white wall) to prevent the camera from focusing on objects behind you.

  3. The "Passport-to-Face" Mismatch

  If your passport photo was taken several years ago (or if you’ve recently changed your hair, grew a beard, or wore glasses), the AI may fail to reach a 95% match threshold.

  • The Solution: First, ensure you are not wearing glasses or a hat during the scan. If it fails three times, look for the "NFC Verification" option. This allows you to tap your passport against the back of your phone to read the internal biometric chip, which provides a much higher level of data and usually bypasses the need for a perfect face scan match.

  Eventurus Pro-Tip: Check your status in the app under Account & Security > Identity Information. If it doesn't say "Verified" or "Authenticated," your payments over 200 RMB will likely be declined.

Do I Still Need Cash in China?

Most payments in big cities are digital, but carrying a small amount of cash is still useful for:

• Street food stalls

• Rural areas

• Small shops that don’t accept foreign-linked Alipay

Eventurus Tip: Use a Wise Card with Alipay

At Eventurus, we’ve tested different options and found that using a Wise card (formerly TransferWise), preloaded with RMB (Chinese Yuan), works very well with Alipay. By loading RMB in advance to your wise card and then linking this card to Alipay, you can often cut down on conversion fees and spend like a local.

Check out and sign up for a Wise Card here

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⚠️ Note: Whether extra fees are charged depends on Alipay’s rules, not Wise, so results may vary.

Final Thoughts: Why Set Up Alipay Before Your Trip?

Doing this before arriving in China makes your travel experience smoother and less stressful. With a few minutes of setup, you can:

• Pay like a local in shops, hotels, and restaurants

• Avoid fumbling with cash or cards

• Focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about payments

At Eventurus, we’re here to help you with every detail of your journey to China — from expert itineraries to practical travel tips like this one.