Banking & payments

Updated: 2026-10-14

Work-focused only: getting paid, opening an account, and common payment tools you’ll need for salary life in Beijing.

Salary account — ask HR first

• Which bank (if any) HR prefers or partners with
• Whether salary can land on an existing foreign card (rare) or must be local
• Payday cycle and what shows on your payslip
• Documents HR needs from you (account number, branch name)

Opening a local account (typical checklist)

• Passport + valid stay document
• China mobile number
• Address / registration proof if asked
• Company employment proof if asked
• Time for in-branch visit (appointments help)

Policies differ by bank and branch; go early in the day with originals.

Cards, Alipay, WeChat Pay

• Link a local bank card once the account is active
• Complete real-name verification on Alipay / WeChat Pay
• Keep a backup payment method for the first weeks

These apps are how many work-day payments happen (lunch, transport, reimbursements). This is not a consumer shopping guide.

Receiving salary & FX (high level)

• Confirm currency of your contract vs what hits the account
• Ask HR/finance before large outbound transfers — rules and bank quotas apply
• Keep payslips for tax and future permit renewals

What banks often ask foreigners

• Purpose of account (salary)
• Employer name and contact
• How long you’ll stay
• Source of funds for large deposits

Answer consistently with your employment documents.

Scams to avoid around “payroll setup”

• Nobody legitimate should ask you to pay a fee to “activate salary” via personal transfer
• Don’t share SMS banking codes with “HR” on random WeChat accounts — verify in person or via known company email
• Reject agents who want your passport “overnight” without a written HR request and receipt

Pitfalls

• Waiting until payday +1 to open an account
• Using only a friend’s account for salary (compliance and control problems)
• Losing SIM card tied to banking SMS without a backup plan