Known locally as 微信 or Weixin, WeChat is a social media app that’s become one of the most widely used in China. Because it’s governed by China’s strong censorship laws and messaging interception rules, the government can potentially review your messages and other data at any time. Given this, it’s no surprise that WeChat hasn’t yet caught on internationally. Additionally, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January 2021, prohibiting transactions with companies behind eight Chinese apps, including WeChat Pay.
Only if you have a bank account in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia or South Africa. It’s the only way to use WeChat Wallet in the US, but that might be impeded by the executive order signed by Trump.
WeChat Pay launched at the start of 2018, allowing tourists, expats and international students to pay at select stores in the States. See if your local grocery store participates by looking for the WeChat logo.
Follow these steps to request and send money with WeChat Wallet:
The money you’re sent on WeChat is automatically transferred into your WeChat Wallet — meaning you don’t accept or deny payment. Review your balance to manage how much money is in your WeChat account.
Yes. WeChat is not legally allowed to process international money transfers. Be aware that only wallets specific to the areas supported by WeChat — China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and South Africa — can send accessible money among one another.
Keep in mind that if you’re trying to send money from your wallet in China to someone in South Africa, WeChat will send the money, but now your recipient in South Africa will also have a Chinese wallet. Unless the user from South Africa heads to China, they can’t access the money.
WeChat encrypts your personal information, financial details and monetary transactions. However, WeChat doesn’t provide much information on other digital safeguards.
Because WeChat Wallet is based in China, it isn’t required to comply with American security standards. The Chinese government also monitors all social media devices, including WeChat. So it’s maybe safe from hackers, but your transaction isn’t private.
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Hi. I am in south africa and have a friend in the usa that would like to transfer money to my wechat account..would this work?
Regards
Hi Tracy,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope you are having a fine day.
No- I’m afraid it won’t work. To use the WeChat Wallet, your friend should have a WeChat account and should be registered in mainland China, South Africa or Hong Kong only.
I hope this helps.
Warm regards,
Judith
Hi, I’am a Filipino citizen from the Philippines. what are the things that I need to open an wechat pay(Wallet).? Can I linked my bank card like BDO,BPI or metrobank. what are the procedure of it.?
Hi Den,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Unfortunately, WeChat Wallet is not available in the Philippines. You are currently in our finder US site. As I have checked from WeChat Philippines, wallet service is not available.
Best regards,
Rench
Hi. My Chinese friend is in Thailand for business trip. Can she transfer money to my WeChat wallet even if she’s outside China?
Hi Jas,
Thanks for your question. I hope you are having a great day.
Your friend could send money to you anywhere in the world as long as:
1.) Her account is registered on mainland China, South Africa or Hong Kong.
2.) Both of you have your own WeChat accounts.
3.) Your WeChat account is added or listed on her WeChat contact list.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Judith
Good day. I am a South African citizen living and working in China. Is it possible to transfer funds via WeChat from China to South Africa?
Hi Jono,
I hope all is well with you today. Thanks for contacting finder, a comparison website and general information service.
As long as your recipient is one of your contacts in your WeChat account, you may send money through it. Please be reminded too that in order for you to use the WeChat Wallet, your account must be registered in mainland China and/or South Africa.
I hope this helps.
Best regards,
Judith
A friend of mine send money to me from China wechat wallet to my account in china
and it bounced back. Is it that if the receiver accounts are not registered to wechat wallet it can not be received?
Hello Terry,
Good day! Appreciate you contacting finder regarding your inquiry today.
Note that this function only allows users to transfer money into their friend’s WeChat Wallet Balance, not directly into their bank account. Therefore, it is a must for the recipient to also have a registered Wechat wallet for them to receive the money. The recipient can pay it into their bank account once they’ve received it to their Wechat wallet account.
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Ron