Personal Finance Money transfer

Can you send money with WeChat in the US?

Adam Rozsa

12.11.26 (last updated)

Read time 2 minutes

WeChat Pay is a digital wallet service owned by Chinese social media giant WeChat (also known as Weixin), which lets users make mobile payments and online transactions.

But the big question for anyone living in the United States is - does WeChat Pay work in the USA? And can you send and receive money with a WeChat Wallet if you live outside of China? We’ll answer these questions.

If WeChat Pay isn’t an option for you - try the Wise account. It lets you hold supported currencies such as USD and send CNY to eligible recipients. Sending CNY is different from holding a CNY balance.

Is WeChat Pay available in the US?

Some US merchants accept WeChat Pay from eligible existing wallet users. That does not mean US residents can open fully functional US WeChat wallets.¹

Merchant acceptance, wallet registration and person-to-person transfers have different eligibility rules.

In terms of which stores accept it as a payment method, you’ll need to look out for the WeChat Pay sign or inquire with the retailer directly.

Can I use WeChat Pay without a Chinese bank account?

Eligible overseas visitors to mainland China can link supported international cards without a mainland Chinese bank account. This supports merchant purchases, rather than automatically enabling wallet top-ups, red packets or person-to-person transfers.

It does not establish eligibility to use the same card-linked wallet for payments in the US; regional wallet rules differ.⁴

Send money internationally the easy way with Wise

If WeChat turns out not to be a viable payment option for you, take a look at the Wise account as an alternative.

When you open your Wise account for free online, you’ll gain access to a powerful multi-currency wallet. You can hold 40+ currencies, including USD and EUR at once, and switch between them when you need to. Send money worldwide in just a few taps, for low, transparent fees³ and the mid-market exchange rate.

And for a small fee³, you can even order a Wise Multi-Currency Card for spending in supported countries. It converts at the mid-market rate with a fee when you don’t hold the currency you need.

See how much you can save with Wise:

Can a foreigner use WeChat Pay?

Eligible visitors can set up payments for mainland China in WeChat. Follow the current in-app setup steps.

It can also be tricky to register your account, as you’ll need to go through a process of real name verification². This requires providing identity documents, a photo of yourself and full personal details in order to prove your identity information. Overseas phone numbers are supported for visitor registration; a mainland Chinese number is not universally required.

Linking an international card does not provide access to every wallet or transfer feature.

How do I add money to WeChat USA?

If your verified wallet supports balance top-ups, follow the options shown in the app. International-card purchases generally charge the card rather than loading a wallet balance:

Download the WeChat app (if you haven’t already) and set up your account
Open the wallet or payment section and complete any identity checks.
Add an eligible bank account or card in your own name.
Use the balance top-up option only if supported by your wallet and linked account.
Receive wallet transfers only if available for your verified wallet.

Sending money with WeChat Pay

If your verified wallet supports person-to-person transfers, use the in-app feature. Menu labels may vary:

Choose ‘Wallet’ from the list of services
Select ‘Transfer’ and the person you’d like to send money to
Enter the transfer amount
Add a note if you like (i.e. indicating what the payment is for)
Confirm and enter your password to complete the transaction.

The wallet’s transfer feature differs from an international remittance service. US users can send to eligible Weixin Pay recipients through partners such as Xoom. Check sender, recipient and payout requirements.⁵

Sources:

WeChat Pay - FAQs
WeChat - Real Name Verification process
Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing: Only Pay for What You Use for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.

All sources checked on 13 Sep 2022.

Additional sources checked November 9, 2026:

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.