Fix WeChat Pay Real-Name Blocks

Draft: not yet verified in the live app. Fees, limits, and menus change—confirm on the in-app payment screen and in the provider’s official Help.

WeChat Pay will not take payments until real-name verification is done. For a visitor, that means your passport: the name exactly as printed, and a photo of the photo page. The happy path is step 4 of Set up WeChat Pay. This page is for when that review sticks.

a What to enter

Wallet → Bank Cards → Add a Bank Card → Agree. Type your name exactly as printed on the passport (family name and given names, same spelling and order). Add nationality and the passport number.

b Other documents that are accepted

A Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, and Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan residents. If you are visiting on a passport, use the passport.

c If it has been stuck for hours

Upload the photo page again. It needs to be sharp, flat, and evenly lit, with all four corners visible and no glare. Fingers, a cropped edge, or a flash hotspot are the usual reasons a review fails. Review normally takes a few minutes to a few hours. Do not submit a new application every few minutes.

Illustrated WeChat notice that identity verification is still reviewing Illustrated screen, not a photograph of the app.

The form, when you are ready to resubmit

If the app also asks for a face photo or an extra profile field after the passport page, complete that screen and wait. Do not use someone else’s document.

The illustration uses a made-up name and document number. Type your own, character for character, including hyphens and middle names as they appear on the passport.

After approval, add the card if it is not linked yet ([setup](/pay/set-up-wechat-pay-foreign-card/#wx-card)). If Pay still fails for another reason, use the [not-working checklist](/pay/troubleshoot/wechat-pay-not-working/).

Illustrated WeChat real-name form with sample passport fields Illustrated screen, not a photograph of the app.

How to capture evidence (helps support)

If you contact wallet support or your bank:

Screenshot the exact error text (English or Chinese).
Note the time in China Standard Time (UTC+8) once you are in mainland China.
Mask card numbers and the passport number before you send images anywhere public.
Keep the merchant name and approximate amount if a payment was also declined.

Do not post live QR codes or full passport pages on social media.

When to stop retrying

If two careful uploads fail, stop for a few hours rather than locking the review queue. Pay that day’s bills with Alipay or cash (about ¥500–1,500 in small notes).

Source note

Passport verification steps follow the WeChat Pay Help Center international-card flow and the visitor real-name guidance linked above. Confirm the status inside the app. China Arrive is not affiliated with Tencent or WeChat.

FAQ

How long does review take?
Often minutes. A manual queue can take a few hours. A blurry photo page is the usual reason it lasts longer.

Can someone else verify for me?
No. Submit your own passport. Do not use another person’s documents.

Does the name have to match the bank card too?
Yes, closely. A mismatch is a common reason the card step fails after identity is approved. See card not supported.