Apple Activates Cross-Border Apple Pay for China-Issued Visa Cards
Eight Chinese banks go live for overseas use, with additional issuers slated to join in the coming months.
Overview
- Users in mainland China can make contactless payments in stores and online abroad using eligible Visa credit and debit cards added to Apple Wallet.
- Initial support spans eight banks, including ICBC, Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, China Merchants Bank, Bank of Communications, CITIC Bank, Ping An Bank, and Industrial Bank.
- Visa debit cards from CITIC Bank are included at launch, alongside Visa credit cards from the participating issuers.
- Apple highlights travel convenience and security for iPhone and Apple Watch users, citing built-in privacy protections.
- Shanghai Pudong Development Bank and China Construction Bank are set to join in the coming months, and MacRumors reports Mastercard is preparing similar support for select cardholders.