Great news for travelers and cross-border shoppers! Visa has officially launched support for Apple Pay, allowing holders of Visa cards issued in Mainland China to add their cards to Apple’s digital wallet for use outside of Mainland China.
This new service enables users to make secure and convenient payments at millions of merchants worldwide that accept Visa. Whether you’re shopping at a physical store, making an in-app purchase, or checking out online overseas, you can now use your iPhone, Apple Watch, or iPad to complete the transaction with a simple tap.
Meeting the Demand for Secure Cross-Border Mobile Payments
According to Visa officials, this move is a direct response to the growing demand among Chinese consumers for integrated, mobile-first payment tools when traveling abroad. With nearly four-fifths of face-to-face transactions globally now utilizing Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, integrating payment cards into smartphones has become a key focus.
Security remains a top priority. Visa has been increasing its investment in payment protection, particularly through the broader application of tokenization technology for international transactions. When you pay with Apple Pay, every transaction requires authentication via Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. Furthermore, your actual card number is never shared with the merchant. Instead, Visa’s tokenization technology assigns a unique, encrypted Device Account Number (DPAN) that is stored securely in the device’s Secure Element, not on Apple’s servers. This provides an enhanced layer of security for overseas spending.
Supported Banks and How to Get Started
The service is initially supported by eight major banks:
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Communications, China Merchants Bank, CITIC Bank, Ping An Bank, and Industrial Bank.
Visa and Apple are also actively collaborating with other financial institutions, including Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, China Construction Bank, China Minsheng Bank, and China Everbright Bank, with plans to launch support for them soon.
Adding your card is simple. You can do it directly through the Apple Wallet app by tapping the ‘+’ sign, or via your bank’s official mobile application. All your existing card benefits and rewards remain unchanged. Additionally, Visa will offer exclusive promotions related to overseas travel and transportation through its channels from time to time.
So, before your next trip abroad, add your China-issued Visa card to Apple Pay and experience a faster, safer, and more convenient way to pay.