A new market study released on 27 February projects that China’s prepaid card and digital-wallet market will surpass US$500 billion by 2030, driven in part by initiatives that let inbound travellers link overseas-issued Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards directly to Chinese super-apps like Alipay. (globenewswire.com)
The GlobeNewswire-distributed report notes that Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and a growing roster of South-east Asian e-wallets have already integrated with Alipay+ rails, expanding acceptance to 60 jurisdictions. For mobility stakeholders, the key takeaway is that simplifying payments can materially influence destination choice: analysts estimate foreign tourists left up to US$4 billion in unspent cash on the table in 2024 because they could not transact easily in China’s QR-code ecosystem.
![Report: card-linking to Alipay and WeChat could unlock US$75 billion in foreign visitor spend]()
Before employees even scan their first QR code, they still need the correct travel documents. VisaHQ’s China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) simplifies the visa process with digital checklists, real-time status updates and concierge support, ensuring teams can focus on wallet setup rather than embassy queues.
Since late 2025, foreigners can register on Alipay or WeChat Pay with their home mobile numbers and bind most international credit cards. Transactions under RMB 200 are fee-free; above that, a 3 percent service charge applies. The People’s Bank of China has signalled more ‘inbound-friendly’ tweaks this year, including higher single-transaction ceilings and English-language dispute-resolution portals.
Travel-management companies should update pre-departure packs: encourage employees to 1) download the international versions of Alipay/WeChat before arrival, 2) complete real-name verification with their passport photo page, and 3) test a small top-up to ensure the card is accepted. Expense-management systems may need to map Alipay transaction codes correctly so reimbursements flow smoothly.
The GlobeNewswire-distributed report notes that Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and a growing roster of South-east Asian e-wallets have already integrated with Alipay+ rails, expanding acceptance to 60 jurisdictions. For mobility stakeholders, the key takeaway is that simplifying payments can materially influence destination choice: analysts estimate foreign tourists left up to US$4 billion in unspent cash on the table in 2024 because they could not transact easily in China’s QR-code ecosystem.
Before employees even scan their first QR code, they still need the correct travel documents. VisaHQ’s China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) simplifies the visa process with digital checklists, real-time status updates and concierge support, ensuring teams can focus on wallet setup rather than embassy queues.
Since late 2025, foreigners can register on Alipay or WeChat Pay with their home mobile numbers and bind most international credit cards. Transactions under RMB 200 are fee-free; above that, a 3 percent service charge applies. The People’s Bank of China has signalled more ‘inbound-friendly’ tweaks this year, including higher single-transaction ceilings and English-language dispute-resolution portals.
Travel-management companies should update pre-departure packs: encourage employees to 1) download the international versions of Alipay/WeChat before arrival, 2) complete real-name verification with their passport photo page, and 3) test a small top-up to ensure the card is accepted. Expense-management systems may need to map Alipay transaction codes correctly so reimbursements flow smoothly.
