Send Money to an Alipay Mobile Wallet in China

Whether you’re sending money to loved ones in China or transferring funds to yourself, you may have wondered: what is the easiest way to pay someone in Chinese yuan? Alipay is one of the world’s largest digital wallets, offering a seamless way for individuals abroad to connect with their family and friends in China through money transfers.

Learn about what this leading digital wallet features to recipients in China and how you can start sending money to Alipay through Ria.

What is Alipay?

Alipay is a digital payment platform that serves over a billion users globally. Established in China in 2004, Alipay allows users to securely send and receive money without the hassle of cash. Ria Money Transfer partners with Alipay so you can send money directly to your loved one’s mobile wallet in China.

Is Alipay safe?

Digital wallets have grown in popularity over the last decade, and for good reason. They’ve made it easier to send and receive money to loved ones near and far while keeping your sensitive financial and banking information safe. The encrypted data keeps your digital wallet secure, while the electronic (cashless) transactions allow your recipients to receive their funds quickly.

As one of China’s main digital wallets, Alipay steps up security measures by using a combination of methods, including: advanced encryption, real-time monitoring, and a risk management framework.

Moreover, Alipay partners with secure international money transfer companies like us. At Ria, we use our own comprehensive security measures so your money transfer is protected from start to finish.

How to send money to Alipay

Alipay has global partners like Ria Money Transfer to improve the money transfer experience for everyone. Follow these easy steps to send money to Alipay with Ria:

1. Make a Ria account
2. Choose your recipient’s country and payment method
3. Select the payout method
4. Provide the recipient details
5. Confirm payment and track your transfer

1. Make a Ria account

First, log in to Ria’s secure website or mobile app. If you don’t have an account yet, you can easily sign up by visiting our website or downloading the Ria app. In just a few clicks, you can initiate your money transfer to China.

Prefer sending money in person? You can use our location finder to search for your nearest Ria store or agent location to get started.

2. Choose your recipient’s country and payment method

After selecting “China” as your recipient’s country, select your payment method (how you want to pay for the transfer) as well as the dollar amount.

3. Select the payout method

Choose “Alipay wallet” as the payout method so your recipient can have the money sent directly to their Alipay mobile wallet.

An important step is to make sure your recipient is a Chinese citizen, meaning they need to hold a valid national identity document. Currently, Alipay only serves Chinese citizens.

Another essential step is confirming your recipient is eligible for receiving international money transfers by completing the required registration and verification processes. Checking these steps before you submit your money transfer will ensure a smooth process.

4. Provide the recipient details

You’ll need the phone number or email address associated with your recipient’s Alipay account. This will confirm that your money is going to the right person. You’ll also want to check that your recipient has selected “Alipay account balance” as their collection method and that they’ve given consent to use the Quick Collect Service.

If you’re sending money to yourself, make sure you’ve verified your account and that it’s active so you can receive an international money transfer.

5. Confirm payment and track your transfer

With Ria, you’re able to track your transfer so you know where your money is every step of the way. You can track the status of your transfer here. Just be sure to have your PIN or order number. This can be found on your confirmation email or in your activity feed (select “details”). If you went to a Ria location, this can also be found on the printed receipt.

What are popular alternatives to Alipay?

There are several popular alternatives to Alipay that are used within China and beyond.

One popular alternative is UnionPay, a Chinese financial services corporation that provides payment cards accepted in China and in over 170 other countries. Along with Alipay, we’re partnered with UnionPay so transferring money to China is a breeze.

To send money to a UnionPay card, you’ll need your recipient’s phone number associated with their account. Make sure they’ve completed the Online First Time Registration process and verify their information on the China UMS website so they can receive an international money transfer. When you’re ready to send, we recommend using a type one debit card. Issuing banks impose additional limits for type two debit cards: RMB 10,000 a day and RMB 200,000 a year. 

In addition to UnionPay, a few other alternatives include WeChat Pay, JD Pay, Baidu Wallet, QQ Wallet, Huawei Pay, Apple Pay, and more. These options offer similar services and functionalities but may cater to different networks and user preferences.

How much does it cost to send to an Alipay wallet?

The cost may vary depending on several factors:

• payment method
• payout method
• transfer destination
• transfer amount
• sender’s location

Among other factors, the payment method you use affects the cost due to each method’s unique benefits. For instance, paying with a credit or debit card is the quickest way to pay, reaching your recipient typically within minutes, but there might be a small fee. On the other hand, paying by bank transfer is a low-cost method but usually takes a few days.

While exchange rates change on an ongoing basis, you can use our check prices tool to see the current rate and get a quote on your next transfer. Additionally, our partnerships with institutions like Alipay and UnionPay work to provide you with low fees so you can send money with confidence.  

From supporting family back home to gifting a friend over the holidays, you can send money to China swiftly and seamlessly. Ready to get started? Sign up or download the Ria app today.