![]() ![]() citizens, there is a new solution (2019) that allows expats to apply for and use a prepaid UnionPay card from eCard. Get a UnionPay eCard (US Citizens Only): For U.S.Make sure you tell your bank to activate online banking when you open the account. This card can be swiped or used at ATMs, but the most valuable use for this card is activating your WeChat Wallet or Alipay account. Open a Chinese Bank Account: When you open an account in China, you will automatically be given a UnionPay card to use.So how can you get a UnionPay card as you’re setting up your expat banking in China? There are two primary methods: It is accepted in 100% of the ATMs in China as well as anywhere that cards are accepted. How to Get a UnionPay Bank Card for ForeignersĪs mentioned above, UnionPay is the preferred network in China over other global brands like Visa or Mastercard. For the rest of China, coins are often used as the fēn referenced above. In some cities (such as Shanghai), the 1 RMB coin is used quite often. You’ll find that most cash that you end up using will be bill, although there are coins in circulation. Units smaller than 1 kuai are called máo 毛 and fēn 分. Other Reminbi notes are 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 RMB. One unit is called yuán 元 or, in more colloquial terms, kuài. “RMB” is short for Renminbi, the name of the Chinese currency. The problem is that Chinese bank cards are harder to get (but not impossible).įor cash, the biggest bill is 100 RMB, about US$14 or 12,75 EUR. Visa and Mastercard are better than American Express, but all three of these have a relatively low acceptance rate throughout the country. International credit cards are often accepted but are not as widely accepted as local Chinese credit cards branded with UnionPay (China’s domestic network). Otherwise, you’re stuck using either cash or card. Some places don’t even accept cash or card payments anymore.Īs an expat in China, you can use WeChat pay only if you open a Chinese bank account (more on this below). More and more people use this mobile payment feature of the hugely popular Chinese messaging app to pay by simply scanning a QR code. However, in recent years WeChat Pay has been taking over. Everybody had cash, everybody was paid in cash and all stores accepted cash. In China, cash used to rule for everyday life. If there are still questions you have about expat banking in China that you don’t see here, please message me and let me know! Use Cash or Card in China? ![]()
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