How to use WeChat Pay in Singapore -2024

WeChat Pay is a very popular way to send and receive money, and make on and offline payments, in China. It’s integrated into WeChat which means it has a huge user base - and it is rapidly becoming better known throughout Singapore and the broader Southeast Asian region, too.

If you’re in Singapore you may have noticed that many retailers here now take payments through WeChat Pay (also called Weixin Pay), using scan and pay. This might have got you wondering how to use WeChat Pay in Singapore. Or, maybe you’ve got a trip to China planned and want WeChat Pay to make payments while you’re there?

This guide has you covered. And, because you can send money from here to people in China, to be deposited to their WeChat Pay accounts, using providers like Wise, we’ll also touch on that handy WeChat Pay feature, too.

What is WeChat Pay?

WeChat Pay is a payment platform and wallet integrated into the WeChat messaging app. In China, users can use WeChat Pay to send and receive money and monetary gifts (like ang bao), to scan and pay in stores, shop online and hold a balance.

If you’re a WeChat user in Singapore and don’t have a Chinese phone number, you may not be able to access all the features and services available to users on the Chinese mainland. However, the options are increasing all the time, so WeChat Pay can still be a very handy tool to have on your phone.

How does WeChat Pay work?

You can use WeChat Pay in Singapore to scan and pay at an offline merchant - or to have the merchant scan your personal WeChat Pay QR to make a payment. You can also shop online and in apps with WeChat Pay.

In Singapore, you’ll find WeChat Pay commonly accepted in many places that Chinese tourists often visit. WeChat has strategic alliances with Changi Airport and Capitaland Malls, for example, to allow payments to be taken in retail and F&B locations using WeChat Pay.

How to use WeChat Pay

In Singapore the main ways to use your WeChat Pay account are for making on and offline payments:

• Shop in apps and online and pay with WeChat Pay at the checkout

• Scan and Pay in person, using the merchant’s WeChat Pay QR code

• Have an offline merchant scan your QR code to process payment

We will look at how to pay with WeChat Pay in more detail later, but it’s a very simple process once you’ve linked a bank card to your app.

How to pay with WeChat Pay

Paying with WeChat Pay is easy once you have opened a WeChat account, activated WeChat Pay and linked a card to make payments with.

Use WeChat Pay for online payments

For online and in-app payments, just look out for the WeChat Pay logo at the checkout when it’s time to pay. Tap this option, and follow the prompts to complete the payment - the money is deducted from your linked card. Bear in mind that if you’re paying in a currency different to the card’s currency, fees may apply. More on that later.

Use WeChat Pay for in-store payments

Look out for the WeChat Pay logo in stores - usually on the board displaying various scan and pay QR codes. If WeChat Pay is accepted you can just scan the QR when it’s time to pay, and the transaction is deducted from your linked card.

Can I use WeChat Pay without a Chinese bank account?

Yes. It used to be the case that you could not use WeChat Pay without a Chinese bank account, ID and phone number. This changed in 2023, and now you can also add foreign bank cards - which means your Singapore card can be linked to WeChat to make payments easily at home and abroad.

WeChat Pay fees

You’ll be able to see the WeChat Pay fees which may apply once you’ve set up your account and linked a card. Usually, this is a 3% fee when you use a Singapore card to make payments of over 200 CNY in value.

Bear in mind that even though WeChat may not charge for many simple transactions, you might pay card fees to your bank. So, as an example, if you add a DBS card to WeChat Pay and then make a purchase in China, you’ll pay a foreign transaction fee of up to 3.25%. This fee is paid to DBS and the card network, rather than to WeChat Pay, but it still pushes up the costs of using your card.

You might have better luck if you link your WeChat Pay to a multi-currency card which doesn’t use a foreign transaction fee. Wise, for example, offers a debit card which has no fee to spend a currency you hold in your account, and offers currency conversion from SGD to 40+ other currencies, from 0.33%.

Is WeChat Pay free to use?

WeChat Pay is free to download and register. If you use a non-Chinese card to make a payment worth over 200 CNY you’ll pay a 3% WeChat Pay fee on top of any fee you have to pay to your bank or card issuer.

Advantages and disadvantages of WeChat Pay

WeChat Pay has a few distinct advantages and drawbacks. Its usage is growing enormously in Singapore, but it’s not an option everywhere - and as we’ve seen, you may pay some fees. Here’s a quick roundup of some pros and cons.

Advantages

• Scan and pay in Singapore and in many other countries

• Makes paying when you travel to China very easy

• No fees for low value transactions in the currency of your card

Disadvantages

• Foreign transaction fees may apply if you use a Singapore card overseas with WeChat Pay

• WeChat Pay imposes their own fees on higher value transactions

• Not as broadly accepted in Singapore as other wallets like Paylah!, or contactless payments using a card or wallet like Apple Pay

Alternatives to WeChat Pay

WeChat Pay is not dominant in Singapore as it is in China. Many stores here will accept contactless payments so you can use your card directly or use a wallet like Apple Pay which is accepted in many countries around the world. If you want to scan and pay there are also many domestic options like PayNow and PayLah! which have broader recognition in Singapore.

WeChat Pay is up and coming - and super handy in China - but if you’re looking for a way to pay in Singapore alone, a local wallet or a global option like Apple Pay may serve you better.

WeChat Pay account opening procedure

You can open a WeChat account and then activate the wallet feature by adding a bank card. The broad process looks as follows:

1. Download or update your WeChat app to make sure you have the latest version

2. Register a new WeChat account, or sign in.

3. In the WeChat app, tap Me, then Services, then Wallet

4. Follow the prompts to enter your identity information and add a card to pay with

5. You’ll be asked to verify your identity which you can do with your Singapore passport

How do I get verified on WeChat Pay?

If you’re in Singapore you can get verified on WeChat Pay by uploading an image of your passport. Just take a clear snap and follow the on screen instructions to load your photo and get verified.

How to receive money with WeChat Pay

Usually Singapore WeChat Pay users can’t receive money to their account - you’ll need to link a payment card to spend, instead.

If you want to send money to someone in China with Wechat Pay, you can use Wise. Wise Weixin money transfers can be made to personal Weixin users who are Chinese citizens aged 18 - 65, with a Chinese National ID card, in 21 currencies. There are limits on how much can be received, so do check up all the details based on the currency you’re sending.

What details do I need to send money to a WeChat account

If you’re sending a payment to a WeChat account using Wise you will need to select ewallet as the deposit method when you set up your payment. You can then pick WeChat as your preferred ewallet and enter your recipient’s WeChat information - usually the phone number they registered their account with.

How long does a transfer take to WeChat Pay?

If you’re sending money to WeChat with Wise it may be received in seconds. Delivery times depend on the currencies used but you’ll see an estimate of the time involved before you confirm your payment.

WeChat Pay mobile app

Download WeChat as an Android app or an iOS app. WeChat is primarily a social network and messaging app - so you can easily connect with friends.

WeChat Pay limits

If you’re spending on or offline with WeChat Pay, there is a limit of 6,500 CNY for single transactions, a cumulative limit of 50,000 CNY for monthly transactions, and a cumulative limit of 65,000 CNY for yearly transactions.

Can you use WeChat Pay without a bank?

To spend with WeChat Pay as an international user you need to link a credit or debit card - which means it can’t really be used for spending without a bank or similar financial account.

Is WeChat Pay safe?

WeChat Pay is generally considered to be safe to use to make payments at home and abroad. As with any wallet or payment service you will have to take steps to keep your own account and details safe, but with common sense precautions you should be fine.

Conclusion: Using WeChat Pay in Singapore

WeChat Pay is a Chinese payment service built into the popular WeChat messaging app. It’s very widely used in China and becoming more popular elsewhere in the region. Here in Singapore you can use WeChat Pay with your local bank card to scan and pay with merchants, shop online and make payments in apps. You can also use it on your travels to China and other countries where it’s accepted.

WeChat isn’t your only payment option. For more flexibility and lower fees when you’re overseas, you may also want to consider a provider like Wise. You can order a Wise card to make contactless and wallet payments around the world, with no foreign transaction fee - and no need to worry about the WeChat Pay 3% fee for transactions over 200 CNY.