What Bank & How to Apply for Visa Card?

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  • #44352
    Avatar photoSlavsky
    Participant

    Hello,

    Went to 3 banks (BOC, ICBC and Minsheng) to apply for VISA credit card. Some of them require residence permit or Chinese ID card. Apparently there was no way for me to make one, since I only have got passport and M visa.

    Any “less headache” Chinese banks you know?

    Regards

    #44360
    Avatar photoCharlie
    Keymaster

    Will a bank card with a Visa logo on it work? That will probably be much easier to get than a credit card. Their concern is probably issuing you a line of a credit when you are officially only a temporary visitor in China.

    #44365
    Avatar photomuell
    Participant

    Do you have such a card Charlie? Where can I get one? Could I use it to pay for things online just like with a regular credit card?

    Last time I tried they wouldn’t even give me a credit card WITH a residence permit (that was about two years ago though and not in Chengdu).  Don’t know any other foreigners who have a credit card issued by a Chinese bank either. Notoriously difficult to get your hands on one 😀

    #44366
    Avatar photoSlavsky
    Participant

    That would definitely work as long as it may be used abroad and for online purchases designed for VISA payment systems. Would it?

    #44367
    Avatar photoCharlie
    Keymaster

    Do you have such a card Charlie? Where can I get one? Could I use it to pay for things online just like with a regular credit card? Last time I tried they wouldn’t even give me a credit card WITH a residence permit (that was about two years ago though and not in Chengdu). Don’t know any other foreigners who have a credit card issued by a Chinese bank either. Notoriously difficult to get your hands on one :D

    No, I don’t. It would be a handy thing to have. I have seen expats with these cards before though, so I’m certain that it’s possible. Unless I’m mistaken, they were probably debit cards that work as Visa cards.

    That would definitely work as long as it may be used abroad and for online purchases designed for VISA payment systems. Would it?

    Yes, it works the same way, you just cannot spend money that you don’t have in your bank account. It’s like a Visa debit card in any other country.

    #44397
    Avatar photoAugustus
    Participant

    I have a Visa card through China Merchants Bank. It’s a debit card, though, not a credit card. But since you say you just need it for use abroad and for online payments, it should be enough. It costs 20 kuai a month, since it’s considered a special service. You can get it alongside a separate UnionPay card, which is free.

    I do have a residence permit, but I don’t know if this was required to open the account. They did need to take a look at my passport, of course, and there was also a 1000 kuai minimum opening deposit. The sign-up process was pretty painless, and took about 30 minutes at my branch.

    I know China Merchants Bank also has a Visa/UnionPay credit card, but I have no idea if we, as foreigners, can get it.

    #44402
    Avatar photoAl the Dead
    Participant

    The only banks i know who can give you a credit card in China are Bank of Shanghai (require job contract and they will call them indeed) and Bank of Taiwan (require long term visa and bank account statement). Both are still PITA to get.

    But unless you require exactly credit card, id just use 2 debits, 1 for internet payment, 1 for money keeping.

    BoC probably have the best i-banking tools around so i use it for paying for everything.

    #44403
    Avatar photoFederico
    Participant

    Actually I know that you can have a credit card with BOC only if you have a registered company in China, but make a debit card is an operation that you can do in 1 hour. I done it at branch in Jinjiang district on Xin Xi Wang Road.

    About VISA, I withdraw money at BOC ATM with my italian bank card and with another portuguese, exchange rate it’s ok. So maybe this one can to be a way.

    #44432
    Avatar photoniklas
    Participant

    Do you guys know if these Visa debit cards can be linked with AliPay? Or is credit card required?

    #44433
    Avatar photoFederico
    Participant

    Can to be linked

    #47171
    Avatar photoMizzdrey
    Participant

    I have a Visa card through China Merchants Bank. It’s a debit card, though, not a credit card. But since you say you just need it for use abroad and for online payments, it should be enough. It costs 20 kuai a month, since it’s considered a special service. You can get it alongside a separate UnionPay card, which is free. 

    What is the advantage of having a Visa debit card over a regular UnionPay card? How are they different?

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