**Alipay for Foreign Users
**Alipay for Foreign Users — (and Quick Guide to Alipay CUSTOMER SERVICE) **What it's for:** "The international Alipay app (Google Play) is for foreign visitors paying inside China — not for use at home outside China. You can install it now, upload your passport, photo, and link it to your bank account — but expect your account to be locked after a few days by the algorithms. **Why accounts get locked:** Browsing videos or travel guides in the app from outside China triggers a lock. It's a payment app — not YouTube. Alipay has no interest in you using their resources without spending a penny. If the Customer Service helps you to unlock, the algorithms will automatically lock you again after 2-3 days!!! **Before your trip:** Contact Alipay human customer service ~2 days before departure, request an unlock, then avoid opening any video content. Account is then ready for payments in China (taxis, food, coffee, etc.). **Travel Wallet option inside the app** (if you dont want to bind your Visa to Alipay) A prepaid wallet for foreign users — top up via app Wise or Revolut. - Spend only inside China - Cannot withdraw funds once added - Annual limit: 1,000 CNY per person