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Apple Pay Enables Visa Network for Overseas Payments Using China-Issued Cards

Published: Jan. 19, 2026 4:05 p.m. GMT+8

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Apple Inc. has ended a decade-long exclusive partnership with China UnionPay Co. Ltd., enabling Apple Pay users on the Chinese mainland to make overseas payments via the Visa network using China-issued cards.

Apple and Visa said mainland cardholders can now use Visa cards through Apple Pay at overseas physical merchants, mobile apps and online platforms.

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Apple ended its exclusive partnership with China UnionPay, allowing Apple Pay users in China to make overseas payments via Visa.
The service currently supports Visa cards from eight major Chinese banks and China Citic Bank debit cards, with more banks to join soon.
Mastercard is preparing similar Apple Pay support, increasing competition for Chinese consumers' overseas spending.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

Apple Inc.: Apple Inc. has ended its exclusive partnership with China UnionPay, allowing Apple Pay users in mainland China to use the Visa network for overseas payments with China-issued cards. This strategic shift focuses Apple Pay on cross-border transactions, diversifying its payment options beyond the QR code-dominated domestic market.

China UnionPay Co. Ltd.: China UnionPay Co. Ltd. (中国银联) has ended a decade-long exclusive partnership with Apple Inc., allowing Apple Pay users in mainland China to make overseas payments via the Visa network. Domestic transactions with dual-branded UnionPay-Visa cards continue to be cleared through UnionPay in Yuan.

Visa: Visa has partnered with Apple to allow Chinese mainland Apple Pay users to make overseas payments with China-issued Visa cards. This service, initially supporting credit cards from eight Chinese banks and debit cards from China Citic Bank, broadens Apple Pay's focus to cross-border transactions. Visa's role is primarily for international payments, as it doesn't hold a domestic clearing license in China.

China Citic Bank: China Citic Bank is one of the eight major Chinese banks whose Visa debit cards are initially supported by the new Apple Pay service. This service allows mainland cardholders to use China-issued Visa cards for overseas payments through Apple Pay. This marks a shift in Apple's strategy, focusing on cross-border transactions.

Alipay: The article mentions Alipay as a dominant QR code-based payment service in the Chinese mainland. Along with WeChat Pay, Alipay has created a challenging environment for Apple Pay's growth in the domestic market. This dominance has led Apple Pay to shift its focus towards cross-border transactions rather than competing directly with these established local players.

WeChat Pay: WeChat Pay is a dominant force in China's domestic payments market, alongside Alipay. It utilizes QR code-based services, making it a primary competitor that limits Apple Pay's growth in the region.

Mastercard: Mastercard is preparing to offer Apple Pay support for cards issued in mainland China in the coming weeks. This move will allow Chinese consumers to use Mastercard through Apple Pay for overseas spending, intensifying competition in cross-border payments.

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What Happened When

2026：: For dual-branded cards, tap-to-pay transactions within the mainland are cleared through UnionPay in yuan, and cross-border transactions can be settled through either UnionPay or Visa.

In 2026：: Apple Inc. ended its decade-long exclusive partnership with China UnionPay Co. Ltd.

As of 2026：: Apple Pay users on the Chinese mainland can make overseas payments via the Visa network using China-issued cards.

As of 2026：: Mainland cardholders can use Visa cards through Apple Pay at overseas merchants, mobile apps, and online platforms.

As of 2026：: Visa credit cards issued by eight major Chinese banks and Visa debit cards issued by China Citic Bank are supported by Apple Pay; more banks are expected to join in the coming months of 2026.

As of 2026：: Visa does not have a domestic bank card clearing license on the mainland; Apple Pay relies on dual-branded UnionPay-Visa cards for domestic use and supports overseas payments through these and Visa single-currency foreign currency cards.

AI generated, for reference only