Do Visa and Mastercard work in China?

Planning to move to China? You’re likely wondering, “Can I use my Visa or Mastercard in China?” The answer might not be as straightforward as you might think. The payment system in China might be a bit different from your country.

In just one article, you’ll not only learn whether Visa and Mastercard work in China, but also understand the common pitfalls and discover the most practical ways to pay for everyday expenses – helping you enjoy a smooth and stress-free experience.

Do Visa and Mastercard work in China?

Visa and Mastercard do work in China, but their use is still quite limited for most foreign visitors. While acceptance is gradually improving, these cards are still not widely accepted, especially at smaller shops, restaurants, and local services. You’re most likely to find acceptance at international hotel chains, high-end department stores in major cities, some international chain restaurants, and major international airports, but they should not rely on them as their primary payment method.

If you are looking for a credit card widely accepted in China, you should consider UnionPay instead. UnionPay might be the more famous choice in China. It is actually China's sole domestic card network. But be aware that foreign-issued Visa and Mastercard do not connect to the UnionPay network. This means that where a merchant accepts only UnionPay, your foreign‑issued Visa or Mastercard won’t be accepted.

Understanding China’s payment landscape: mobile wallets reign supreme

Let’s take a look at China’s payment landscape to understand why Visa and Mastercard are not widely accepted. In China, most people use mobile wallets like WeChat Pay (Weixin Pay) and Alipay for daily transactions. WeChat Pay and Alipay are both pretty fast and convenient options: they are deeply integrated into everyday life, from paying for groceries to booking taxis. Because mobile payments are so common, many local shops and services don’t even accept foreign cards like Visa or Mastercard.

While locals in China don’t really feel the impact of low Visa and Mastercard acceptance, it can be a real headache for foreign visitors. Linking an international Visa or Mastercard directly to apps like WeChat Pay or Alipay isn’t always easy: you will need to follow a certain complex setup or specific card requirements. And that makes payments while traveling in China pretty frustrating.

Common Pitfalls When Using Foreign Cards in China

Overestimating acceptance leads to frustration

Visa and Mastercard are widely used around the world, so it’s no surprise that many visitors assume they’ll be just as accepted in China. But that’s not always the case. A lot of foreigners forget to ask “Will Visa or Mastercard actually work in China?”, and that can lead to some frustrating surprises when making payment.

Paying in your home currency usually means poor exchange rates

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) is a payment process that lets you pay your home currency when abroad. For example, you can choose to pay in USD (home currency) instead of CNY (local currency).

Sounds pretty convenient right? But it’s usually not a good idea! Here’s why:

• Worse exchange rates: DCC often uses a poor exchange rate compared to the other options.
• Hidden fees: Some merchants or ATMs may include extra charges without clearly stating them.

So it is always better to be charged in local currency (CNY) when paying or withdrawing cash in China. Let your card network handle the conversion for you!

International transaction fees to expect

It’s worth noting that when you use a Mastercard or Visa in China, you might run into foreign exchange fees. The bank sets the exchange rate, handling fees, and any extra admin charges. For instance, if you link your card to WeChat Pay, there’s a 3% transaction fee on payments over 200 CNY¹, plus whatever fees your card issuer adds on top. All these costs can stack up quickly, making your everyday spending in China more expensive than you’d expect.

So, double-check those fees beforehand to avoid surprises and save your hard-earned money!

ATM withdrawal challenges and fees

Thinking of withdrawing cash with your foreign Visa or Mastercard in China? It’s possible, but get ready for the extra costs. Many banks charge steep fees for cash advances, and your own bank might slap on additional charges too. Plus, the exchange rates at local ATMs aren’t always in your favor – so you could end up getting less for your money than you expected.

Practical solutions for foreign visitors in China

Option 1: Cash is still king (sometimes)

Cash is also a practical alternative to Mastercard or Visa in China. It’s especially useful when shopping at smaller or more local vendors that may not accept international cards. It’s a good idea to exchange some CNY in advance just in case. But carrying a large amount of cash isn’t very practical. Plus, it is expensive to withdraw big sums from ATMs with a foreign card.

Option 2: Linking cards to mobile wallets (The more complex route)

Another popular way to pay for your expenses in China is linking cards to Mobile Wallets such as Alipay or WeChat Pay. This process is more complicated than just converting cash, but it is very convenient as you can pay for almost everything with just your phone.

If you are interested in using Alipay in China, here is your comprehensive guide to add a bank card to Alipay account.

FAQ

Will my foreign Visa or Mastercard work everywhere in China?

Visa and Mastercard do work in China, but not everywhere.

You won’t have so much trouble with using Mastercard or Visa in those big international hotel chains, high-end department stores in major cities, some international chain restaurants, and major international airports. But Visa or Mastercard shouldn’t be your primary payment method in China. Many smaller shops, restaurants, and local services in China cannot accept Visa or Mastercard.

Is it easy for foreigners to link their Visa and Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay?

You can link the Visa and Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay. However, the procedure to link Visa and Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay might be complicated, and you might need to meet certain requirements for this linkage.

Are there hidden fees when using my foreign Visa and Mastercard in China?

Depending on each bank, there might be hidden fees when using my foreign Visa and Mastercard in China.

What's the best way for a foreign visitor to pay for things in China if their Visa and Mastercard are not widely accepted?

You might have seen by now that Visa and Mastercard aren't widely accepted in China. You still have plenty of options to choose from. Those digital wallets such as Alipay and WeChat Pay are pretty good options as well. But always be aware about the fees when paying with your credit card via these wallets!

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