Payment · common
Why won't WeChat Pay accept my passport verification?
Last updated:
Quick Answer
Symptom: WeChat Pay rejects your passport upload during the "Foreign Card" identity step with "information does not match."
Cause: WeChat Pay's KYC partner matches your passport against the name exactly as printed, including middle names and diacritics; mismatches with your bank-card name cause auto-rejection.
Solution: Enter the name character-for-character as it appears on the passport MRZ line, use a card whose holder name matches the passport exactly, and retry on Wi-Fi rather than roaming data.
What you see
WeChat Pay rejects your passport upload during the "Foreign Card" identity step with "information does not match."
Why it happens
WeChat Pay's KYC partner matches your passport against the name exactly as printed, including middle names and diacritics; mismatches with your bank-card name cause auto-rejection.
How to fix
Enter the name character-for-character as it appears on the passport MRZ line, use a card whose holder name matches the passport exactly, and retry on Wi-Fi rather than roaming data.
Read next
These guides cover the related functionality in full.
WeChat Pay for Foreigners
WeChat Pay accepts linked foreign Visa, Mastercard, and JCB cards in 2026 after a one-time identity verification with your passport.
Alipay for Foreigners
Download Alipay, link a foreign Visa or Mastercard via the Tour Pass, and complete a $150 minimum top-up to pay at 90%+ of Chinese merchants.
Foreign Credit Cards
Foreign Visa, Mastercard, and AmEx cards work in hotels, airports, and chain restaurants but NOT in taxis, food stalls, or most shops.
Other Payment problems
Why is my Alipay not working?
You linked a foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay but every transaction is rejected at the merchant.
Why can't I verify my passport on Alipay?
Alipay's identity verification step fails — passport photo upload rejected or OCR misread.
Can foreigners receive money on Alipay?
You want to receive a WeChat or bank transfer to your Alipay wallet but the app shows no Receive option.
Why does WeChat Pay keep declining my foreign card?
You linked a Visa or Mastercard in WeChat Pay but transactions show "card not supported" at checkout.
Can I pay cash in China in 2026?
You want to know if you need to carry RMB cash or if Alipay/WeChat Pay is enough for the entire trip.