How International Travelers, Nomads & Expats Can Pay With QR Codes in China

How International Travelers, Nomads & Expats Can Pay With QR Codes in China

Leave the frustration of card refusals and Chinese SIM requirements behind. Instead, tap into China's Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay) network — the QR system that powers virtually every transaction in the country — with Moreta Pay. Moreta Pay is an easy-to-use platform built for travelers, digital nomads and expats, offering a secure, simple and cost-effective way to pay for goods and services just like locals.

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How It Works

Moreta Pay is a mobile payment platform that allows travelers to tap into local payment networks in China and across Asia and Latin America, all without needing a Chinese bank account or local SIM. After downloading the Moreta app, set up your account and verify your identity with a selfie and your passport. Then connect your preferred payment method. With Moreta Pay, you can fund your account in numerous ways, adding your local currency for simplicity and familiarity. Make deposits with a bank connection, bank transfer or card. Fill your account before you leave, and you're all set to start paying for all the goods and services you need during your travels. If you run out and need to top up, you can do so quickly and easily through the Moreta Pay app. No more fumbling with Yuan, cards or outdated traveler's checks.

The Problem With Paying Abroad as a Tourist, Expat or Nomad

China is one of the hardest places in the world to pay as a foreigner. The country has gone effectively cashless — almost every transaction, from a metro ride in Beijing to a noodle shop in Chengdu, is done via WeChat Pay or Alipay. International credit cards are barely accepted outside of major hotels and chain restaurants, and even when they are, you'll face foreign transaction fees and unfavorable exchange rates. Pulling Yuan from a Chinese ATM is unreliable and expensive. While WeChat Pay now offers a tourist mode, registration is complex and comes with strict limits on foreigners. Choosing a more secure option like QR code payments through Moreta avoids all of those concerns.

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How Moreta Pay Works

Moreta Pay is transforming the way nomads, tourists and expats pay for goods in China and beyond. It's an easy-to-use platform that allows you to scan Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay) QR codes from merchants for hassle-free payments. Here's how it works.

Verify Your Identity

Your journey with Moreta Pay begins with creating an account and verifying your identity. All you have to do is take a photo of your passport and a selfie! Moreta uses those photos to verify your identity, creating yet another security shield against fraud.

Load Funds to Your Moreta Pay Wallet

Add funds quickly and securely with your preferred bank account. With Moreta, you can add funds to your account in numerous ways using secure payment methods. These include:

• USD via ACH
• GBP via UK Faster Payments
• EUR via SEPA
• Visa, Mastercard, AMEX or Discover cards

Need more cash during your trip? With Moreta Pay, you can top up using your already connected bank account or card.

Scan QR Codes at Local Shops & Restaurants

When you're out and about exploring everything China has to offer, Moreta makes paying for goods and services a breeze. All you have to do is scan a merchant's WeChat Pay QR code. WeChat Pay is accepted virtually everywhere in China — from luxury hotels in Shanghai to street vendors in Xi'an. Just make sure your app location is set to China in the Moreta Pay settings.

Get Seamless Payments on the Go

After scanning a WeChat Pay QR code, review the information and slide to complete the payment. It's as easy as that! Moreta offers fast, seamless and worry-free payments.

Coming Soon: More Countries Across Southeast Asia & Latin America

Want to extend your trip beyond China? Moreta Pay is also live across Asia in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Mongolia, and across Latin America in Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia and Colombia. Use the same Moreta wallet balance wherever you travel.

Why Moreta Pay Is Better Than Alternatives

Moreta Pay is a mobile payment platform that allows travelers to tap into local payment networks in China and several other countries across Asia and Latin America, all without needing a local bank account. After downloading the Moreta app, set up your account and verify your identity with a selfie and your passport. Then, you can connect your preferred payment method. With Moreta Pay, you can fund your account in numerous ways, adding your local currency for simplicity and familiarity. Fill your account before you leave, and you're all set to start paying for everything you need during your travels.

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No Local Bank Account Required

With Moreta Pay, there's no need to open a Chinese bank account or register a local SIM. WeChat Pay is tightly tied to Chinese banks and phone numbers, and even its foreigner-friendly tourist mode comes with friction and limits. Moreta Pay lets you tap into WeChat Pay without that overhead. Connect with your financial institution at home, add funds as needed, and pay like a local.

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Seamless Integration With Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay)

Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay) is the most widely used QR payment network in mainland China, used by over a billion people daily across everything from supermarkets and taxis to street vendors and vending machines. Moreta Pay seamlessly integrates with WeChat Pay, allowing you to spend your money the same way locals do — without needing to install or maintain a separate Chinese app. That ensures widespread acceptance and simpler transactions.

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Designed for International Travelers, Expats & Nomads

Moreta Pay is a solution built for international travelers. No matter how long your stay is, Moreta Pay ensures you can pay for anything without jumping through hurdles or paying a fortune. Sink yourself into the culture, including paying for goods just like the locals!

Several Accepted Payment Types

Fund your Moreta Pay account with many different payment options. Once you connect your bank account, you can add funds via secure methods. If adding USD, benefit from the low transaction costs and enhanced security of ACH. If your home currency is GBP, you can use UK Faster Payments for near-instant transfers. When funding with Euros, utilize SEPA for speed, simplicity and dependability. Moreta Pay also supports international Visa and Mastercard payments for even greater flexibility.

Lower Fees Compared to Cash or Card Alternatives

Moreta offers significantly lower fees than the alternatives. Most banks charge foreign transaction and ATM fees, and most financial institutions use unfavorable exchange rates. With Moreta, you pay much less. QR transactions in China carry a flat 1.5% fee — competitive, transparent, and far less than your home bank typically charges. Best of all, you always know what you're paying upfront.

Instant, Contactless QR Payments

Contactless payments are the way of the future! No more handing over physical cards or waiting on lengthy transaction times. With Moreta Pay, you can complete transactions quickly without interacting with cashiers, wait staff or merchants. No more confusion or pricing information getting lost in translation.

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Real Exchange Rates

Tired of losing money on unfavorable exchange rates? That's no longer a worry with Moreta Pay. Moreta gives you accurate exchange rates, helping your money go as far as possible. Moreta converts your currency into Chinese Yuan in real-time, using the exchange rate at the time of the transaction. Make your money go farther than you thought possible with transparent, real-time exchange rates, and zero hidden fees.

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Frequently asked questions

Can tourists pay without a Chinese bank account?
What's the easiest way to pay like a local in China?
Is QR code payment accepted everywhere in China?
Are credit cards widely accepted in China?
Is it cheaper to use QR code payments vs. withdrawing cash?
How do I set up QR code payments in China before my trip?
Does Moreta Pay work with all US and EU bank accounts?
What currency will I be charged in when using Moreta Pay in China?
Can I use Moreta Pay in other Asian countries too?

Activate Your Moreta Pay Account Before Your Trip

Ready to set yourself up for a seamless payment experience in China? Moreta Pay is the ultimate payment solution for expats, tourists, digital nomads and more, allowing you to pay for goods and services using secure Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay) QR codes. Visit Moreta Pay today to learn more, link your bank account and get started!

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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Can tourists pay without a Chinese bank account?
What's the easiest way to pay like a local in China?
Is QR code payment accepted everywhere in China?
Are credit cards widely accepted in China?
Is it cheaper to use QR code payments vs. withdrawing cash?
How do I set up QR code payments in China before my trip?
Does Moreta Pay work with all US and EU bank accounts?
What currency will I be charged in when using Moreta Pay in China?
Can I use Moreta Pay in other Asian countries too?

More countries

More countries

More countries

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🇮🇩 Indonesia

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🇹🇭 Thailand

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🇵🇭 Philippines