Comments on: Paying for Things in China? Here’s a New Solution! (U.S.-only)

By: Josh Summers

Josh Summers — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 03:54:36 +0000

In reply to Dena. Hi Dena, no - the eCard would not help in this case, as you can only really deposit money from in the US. If you work with VIPKid, then they should be able to pay you directly. Otherwise, it's going to be hard to accept payment outside of their system.

By: Dena

Dena — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:50:20 +0000

Josh – Would I be able to accept payments using the eCard? Scenario: I tutor Chinese children online. They are in China, I’m in the US. How to get paid? Bank transfers using the Swift Code has costly fees. Would this be a solution? Is the eCard usable in the US?

By: Josh Summers

Josh Summers — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 02:08:37 +0000

In reply to Andrew Goldsmith. You are correct, Andrew, but the key point is that the non-US citizens have to be legal US residents.

By: Andrew Goldsmith

Andrew Goldsmith — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 11:47:06 +0000

They are now accepting non-us citizens applications. You might want to update your post.

By: Josh Summers

Josh Summers — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 01:58:38 +0000

In reply to bernhard. I would connect directly with eCard customer support and ask them. Are you a resident of the US?

By: bernhard

bernhard — Thu, 28 May 2020 04:58:01 +0000

Hi guys,

these are good sugges, thanks. HOWEVER, i applied for an ecard and received the message :
“Hey, We would like to inform you that your application was not accepted because your information was unable to be verified or incomplete.
Sincerely, ECARD Customer Support”.

any ideas what to do?

thanks,
Bernhard

By: Peter Ku

Peter Ku — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 17:02:56 +0000

Just tried it in China, It did not work… Alipay claimed it works but it doesn’t. I can not even find a customer service that knows about this . Tourpass doesn’t work.. very bad experience with it.

By: Kin Ng

Kin Ng — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 00:09:31 +0000

Yep, I tested it out in China last month and it worked. Before that, I used theswapsy.com to load my alipay but now it’s much easier and quicker to load alipay with “tour pass”. Best of all, it’s free! i.e. no reduction of the exchange rate. make sure your credit card has free foreign transaction fees such as the costco’s citibank card.

By: Bc

Bc — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 08:31:35 +0000

Per news report, foreigners visiting china can now use alipay app without a china bank account or a china mobile number. You use your own country mobile number and bank debit/credit card.
Download alipay app, follow instructions to set up “tour pass” with your name (as in your passport), passport number, attach a photo, debit/credit card details, mobile phone number, etc. A prepaid card will be issued in your alipay app with the china currency amount you selected. You can use the app like a local in china. This card is valid for 90 days. Any unused amount will be credited back to your bank card.

I am in Malaysia and on Nov 7, 2019 successfully ADded alipay app to my phone. I will be in china in 2 weeks to test it out.
Fingers crossed!

By: rick

rick — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 02:29:17 +0000

JUST FINIShing my first stay in china and i find everything josh says in the article and in this forum to be 100% accurate. when i come back it will be with a unionpay ecard. i will also set up a bank account for wechat wallet. i will feel better having both.