How to verify an Alipay account as a foreigner?

Alipay is one of the largest third-party mobile and online payment platforms in China and has 1 billion registered users¹. Alipay supports most types of digital payment, whether individuals want to shop online, make face-to-face payment, or book a movie or travel ticket. As an expat studying or working in China, you will probably need to use the Alipay app too. Naturally, Alipay's regulations and security measures mean everyone has to verify an Alipay account before using it.

How do I verify an Alipay account as a foreign national? Here’s a step-by-step guide for expat users opening an Alipay account, with or without a passport.

If you want to convert Chinese Yuan once you get to China, or if you want to send CNY earnings out of China whenever necessary, you will find Alipay can’t help. Instead, you should look into Wise. With a Wise multi-currency account, an expat in China or any country, can transfer, convert, and hold money in a much easier and cheaper way.

Send money home using Wise

How to verify an Alipay account with a passport?

Via the Alipay official website²

1. Open www.alipay.com (only available in Chinese) in your browser, and log in to your Alipay account, click “账户设置 (Account settings)” - “基本信息 (Basic information)” - “立即认证 (Verify now)”.
2. Go to the “立即认证 (Verify now)” page, and click “立即认证 (Verify now)” .
3. Go to the “身份验证 (Identity verification page)” and select the “国家/地区 (country/region)”. Fill in 姓名 (your name), 证件号码 (your passport number), 证件有效期(your passport expiry date), 出生日期 (your date of birth), 换证次数(the number of times you’ve renewed your passport), and 证件有效期 (the validity period of your passport), then click on the "确认并提交 (Confirm and submit)" button.
4. After completing your identity information successfully, you can choose to verify your Alipay account with a bank account.
5. Add your bank account information, and finish the verification.

Via the Alipay English app

1. Login to the Alipay app, and click “Me” to go to the User Center.
2. Click the “Settings” icon in the upper right corner.
3. Select “Account and Security”, the first option of the drop-down menu.
4. Click “Identity Information”, here it reminds you to “Verify now”.
5. Tap “Region” in the upper right corner, and select your country/region.
6. Next, scan your passport to automatically fill in your full name on the passport, passport number, date of birth, and passport expiration date. Or fill in manually. Then click “Submit”.
7. Click “Basic Identity Information” to fill in other information, including your gender, occupation type, and address.
8. Continue to complete identity verification by “Verify face”.
9. On the face recognition page, click “Verify” to scan your face.
10. Wait for your Alipay personal account to be verified.

Note:

You may choose to verify your Alipay account using a mainland China bank card instead of verifying with your face. Then you can top up Alipay balance and withdraw from the balance account instantly. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to open a bank account in China as a foreigner.

How do I verify an Alipay account without a passport?

A foreigner must submit a valid passport, as opposed to any other form of identification or documents to verify an Alipay account.

If your Alipay account is not verified, you can still make payments with Alipay by using online banking or a bank card. However, according to the requirements of the Chinese regulatory authorities, the use of Alipay account balance payment must be verified by the real name system. It is also important to know that users have different rights and benefits depending on the degree of completeness of the identity information.

FAQs about verifying your Alipay account?

Why should you get a verified Alipay account?

A verified Alipay account can unlock more features. And some services require verification before use, including Alipay balance payment, transfer or withdrawal, cross-border payments and remittances.

In addition, through Alipay real-name authentication, the user's identity information is verified, which can prevent hackers from altering or stealing account information.

Alipay has the ability to instantly detect unusual or suspicious transactions and track the movement of user funds in real time, reducing the risk associated with money. It is also easier for users to claim compensation from third-party organizations in case there are fund transaction problems.

How long does it take to verify an Alipay account?

It usually takes Alipay a maximum of 24 hours to finish the verification process after you upload your passport.

How to know if my Alipay account is verified?

You can follow below steps to check if your Alipay account is verified successfully:

• Login to your Alipay app
• Click “Me” - “Settings” - “Account & Security” - “Identity Information”.

What should I do if my Alipay account verification fails?

It is possible that there was a problem with the passport upload. It is recommended that you take the photo of your passport in a bright place with well dissipated, even and clear light to avoid reflections. And, always make sure that all the required passport information is captured properly in the image.

Wise: An alternative way to transfer your earnings out of China!

Validating an Alipay account requires your passport, as explained above. If you find it too cumbersome to verify with your passport, simply open a Wise account without a passport in a few minutes.

Wise isn’t just about paying and making transactions in China. More importantly, it allows expats to send money to and from China. If you have a deeper understanding of Alipay's features, you probably already know that Alipay doesn’t support international transfer for expats in China.

When using Wise to send money out of China, there are mainly two benefits. On one hand, you can send Chinese Yuan overseas directly. You can transfer your Chinese earnings to 160+ countries. Add to this, you can save money on transaction fees as Wise uses the mid-market rate.

Furthermore you can use Wise when working and travelling abroad, converting and holding 40+ currencies, and spending like a local with your Wise debit card. (Wise cards at the moment aren't available in China yet. You need to get it before you relocate to China, check how to get Wise card in your country in this article.)

Make a Wise account for free today, and join millions of users on this global money transfer app.

This service is provided in partnership with a licensed third party payment provider in China.