AlipayHK: A Comprehensive Guide to Remittances and Payments

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AlipayHK is a popular mobile payment platform in Hong Kong that offers convenient and secure ways to send and receive money. It's a subsidiary of Ant Financial, the payment arm of Alibaba Group.

To use AlipayHK, you'll need to download the app and create an account, which is a straightforward process that only takes a few minutes. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.

With AlipayHK, you can send money to anyone with a mobile number or bank account, and you can also receive money from others. The service is available 24/7, making it a great option for those who need to make payments at odd hours.

You can fund your AlipayHK account using a credit or debit card, or by transferring money from your bank account.

Alipay HK Overview

Alipay HK operates in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD), which is different from the Chinese Yuan (CNY) used by the mainland China version of Alipay.

Smartphone displaying Alipay app on open laptop with online shopping site.
Credit: pexels.com, Smartphone displaying Alipay app on open laptop with online shopping site.

Alipay HK allows users to make various financial transactions, including shopping, bill payments, and investments. It also has the unique feature of making remittances, which is not available on the mainland China version of Alipay.

The platform is expected to gain more users in 2025, as it will allow users to claim 25 per cent of their public travel expenses that exceed HK$400 each month.

About

Alipay HK is a digital wallet service that allows users to make payments and transfers in Hong Kong. It's a subsidiary of Ant Financial, a company owned by Jack Ma.

Alipay HK is widely used in Hong Kong, with over 10 million users. The service is accepted by many merchants in the city.

One of the key features of Alipay HK is its mobile payment capabilities. Users can make payments using their mobile devices, which is convenient and time-saving.

Alipay HK also offers a wide range of services, including bill payments, money transfers, and investment services. These services are designed to make users' lives easier and more convenient.

A mobile phone with OXXO Pay on a laptop used for online shopping.
Credit: pexels.com, A mobile phone with OXXO Pay on a laptop used for online shopping.

Alipay HK has partnered with many banks in Hong Kong, making it easy for users to link their bank accounts to the service. This allows users to transfer money and make payments directly from their bank accounts.

Alipay HK is also known for its security features, which protect users' sensitive information and ensure that transactions are secure.

Latest News

Alipay HK users will be able to claim 25 per cent of their public travel expenses that exceed HK$400 each month starting January 1, 2025.

Commuters can activate automatic collection via the AlipayHK mobile application, which allows subsidies to be credited to the account balance on the 16th of each month.

AlipayHK users could be eligible for the government’s transport subsidy from next year, joining Octopus card holders in this initiative.

The Transport Department announced the expansion on Thursday, almost six years after the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme was launched in January 2019.

Remittance

Isometric image of online money transfer via mobile phones on light background \
Credit: pexels.com, Isometric image of online money transfer via mobile phones on light background \

Making international payments with AlipayHK can be a bit tricky, but understanding the remittance process can save you money and stress. AlipayHK provides exchange rates in real-time through their partner EMQ, but these rates are not always mid-market rates, which means there are hidden fees to consider.

You can find the live exchange rates by logging into the AlipayHK app, but it's essential to compare these rates with other providers like Wise. According to the table below, Wise offers slightly better exchange rates for certain countries.

AlipayHK charges fees for international remittances, which vary depending on the country you're sending to. For example, sending to the Philippines via GCash costs no fee, while cash pickup and bank transfer cost HKD 15.

Here's a breakdown of the fees for different countries:

It's also essential to understand the remittance limits set by AlipayHK, which vary depending on your account verification level. For example, intermediate accounts have a daily limit of HKD 7,999 and an annual limit of HKD 100,000.

Transferring Money

A Person Using Mobile Phone to Pay Cashless
Credit: pexels.com, A Person Using Mobile Phone to Pay Cashless

Transferring money with AlipayHK is easy and convenient. You can transfer money to Mainland China, the Philippines, or Indonesia, with varying limits depending on your account verification level.

If your account is verified, you can transfer up to HKD 7,999 per day and HKD 100,000 per year to Mainland China with an intermediate account. Advanced accounts have higher limits, up to HKD 7,999 per day and HKD 300,000 per year.

To transfer money, you'll need to verify your account, which may involve scanning your ID and taking a live selfie. This will unlock higher transfer limits, up to HKD 20,000 per day and HKD 500,000 per year to Mainland China.

Here are the transfer limits for each country and verification level:

The minimum transfer amount is HKD 20 per transaction.

Remittance: Fees

Transferring money internationally can be a complex process, but understanding the fees involved is crucial. AlipayHK, a popular remittance service, charges its users fees for making international remittances.

Laptop and smartphone showcasing online shopping and mobile payment setup on desk.
Credit: pexels.com, Laptop and smartphone showcasing online shopping and mobile payment setup on desk.

The fees vary depending on the destination country. For example, sending money to Mainland China is free for single remittances over CNY3,500, and the first transaction is also fee-free. However, for other countries like the Philippines, there's a fee of HKD 15 for cash pickup and bank transfer.

Here's a breakdown of the fees for different countries:

It's essential to note that these fees are in addition to any exchange rate fees, which can add up quickly. By choosing a service that offers transparent and competitive exchange rates, you can save money on your international transfers.

Online Banking Top Up

You can top up your AlipayHK account using online banking. This is a convenient option that allows you to transfer funds directly from your bank account to AlipayHK.

To start, open the AlipayHK mobile app and tap on 'Top Up' on the homepage. From there, select 'Top up' and choose 'Top up via online banking transfer'.

Follow the instructions on the page to complete the top up process.

Implementation

Overhead view of a cashless transaction at a retail counter with mobile payment technology and eco-friendly products.
Credit: pexels.com, Overhead view of a cashless transaction at a retail counter with mobile payment technology and eco-friendly products.

To transfer money using Alipay HK, you'll need to implement a few steps.

You'll first need to create a new payment source using Omise.js or one of the mobile SDKs (iOS and Android).

The process involves three main steps: creating a new payment source, creating a new charge, and verifying the charge status.

To create a new payment source, you'll use your public key on the client-side, whether that's a customer's browser or mobile phone.

You can create and charge the source in a single API request using your secret key if both steps need to happen server-side.

Here's a breakdown of the steps:

  1. Create a new payment source (type: alipay_hk)
  2. Create a new charge using the identifier of the source created in Step 1
  3. After receiving the charge completion webhook event, retrieve the charge to verify its status (optional, but recommended)

Alipay HK supports both manual and automatic capture.

Payment Methods

You can top up your AlipayHK account balance through various methods, including cash, bank account, online banking, and Coin Carts. AlipayHK account balance can be topped up through cash, bank account, online banking, and Coin Carts.

To top up with cash, you can visit any of the participating stores such as 7-11, Circle-K, Watsons, Fortress, McDonald’s, and ParkNShop. You can top-up your AlipayHK e-wallet at any 7-11, Circle-K, Watsons, Fortress, McDonald’s and ParkNShop stores.

A Woman Paying Using Her Smartphone
Credit: pexels.com, A Woman Paying Using Her Smartphone

To top up via online banking, you can follow the instructions on the AlipayHK mobile app. Follow the instructions on the page to top up your AlipayHK account.

You can also top up your AlipayHK account using the AlipayHK mobile app. Open AlipayHK mobile app, tap ‘Top-up’ at the homepage, then tap ‘Top up’.

Here are the top-up methods listed:

  • Cash: visit any 7-11, Circle-K, Watsons, Fortress, McDonald’s, and ParkNShop stores
  • Bank account: not explicitly stated, but mentioned as one of the top-up methods
  • Online banking: follow the instructions on the AlipayHK mobile app
  • Coin Carts: a method to top up your AlipayHK account

For payment, AlipayHK supports payment through a mobile application and a website. They are redirected from your website or mobile application to Alipay HK's secure checkout page, where they authorize and confirm the payment.

Account Management

AlipayHK offers a range of account management features to help you stay on top of your finances.

You can easily check your AlipayHK account balance online or through the mobile app, allowing you to monitor your transactions and account activity in real-time.

To add money to your AlipayHK account, you can use the "Top-up" feature, which allows you to transfer funds from your bank account or credit card to AlipayHK.

The "Account Security" feature is also available, enabling you to set up a password, bind a mobile phone number, or add a security question to protect your account from unauthorized access.

Expert Collections Containing

Beautiful view of Hong Kong skyline featuring the International Finance Centre and Victoria Harbor.
Credit: pexels.com, Beautiful view of Hong Kong skyline featuring the International Finance Centre and Victoria Harbor.

AlipayHK is included in 2 Expert Collections, including Fintech. This highlights the company's significance in the financial technology space.

These collections are curated by experts to showcase the most important companies in key technology areas.

Top-Up Your Account

You can top-up your AlipayHK account through various methods, including cash, bank account, online banking, and Coin Carts.

There are several ways to top-up with cash, such as visiting 7-11, Circle-K, Watsons, Fortress, McDonald’s, and ParkNShop stores.

To top-up with cash, open the AlipayHK mobile app, tap 'Top-up' at the homepage, and then tap 'Top up with cash'.

You can also top-up your account via online banking, which can be done by opening the AlipayHK mobile app, tapping 'Top Up' on the homepage, and then selecting 'Top up via online banking transfer'.

Alternatively, you can top-up your account through bank account, which involves opening the AlipayHK mobile app, tapping 'Top Up' at the homepage, choosing 'Bank Account', and following the instructions on the page.

Credit: youtube.com, MVS: Topping Up Your Account

To find your AlipayHK account number, you can access it when you top-up your account via online bank accounts or add your bank account to the AlipayHK App.

You can top-up your account at Coin Carts by opening the AlipayHK mobile app, tapping 'Top up' at the homepage, selecting 'Top up with coins', and showing your top-up QR code to the cashier.

Here are the steps to top-up your account via online banking:

  1. Open AlipayHK mobile app.
  2. Tap ‘Top Up’ on homepage, then select ‘Top up’, and choose ‘Top up via online banking transfer’
  3. Follow the instructions on the page to top up your AlipayHK account.

Alipay in China

You can use AlipayHK in China, which is a great option for travelers.

AlipayHK is accepted in popular travel destinations, including mainland China, Japan, and Singapore.

If you're planning a trip to China, you'll be happy to know that AlipayHK can be used there.

Payment Flow

Alipay HK supports payment through both a mobile application and a website.

Customers are redirected from your website or mobile application to Alipay HK's secure checkout page, where they authorize and confirm the payment.

A Woman Scanning a Card
Credit: pexels.com, A Woman Scanning a Card

For mobile, customers can use the Alipay HK app to complete the payment, while for website payment, customers can scan a QR code using the Alipay HK app on their phone or log in to their Alipay HK account.

The payment flow is seamless and secure, with multiple options available for customers to choose from.

You can see the payment flow in action through the following screenshots: one by desktop QR code and another one on mobile.

To refund a payment charge, see the Refunds API documentation.

The APIs involved in the payment flow include the Charge API, Source API, and Webhooks API.

Limits

AlipayHK remittance limits vary depending on your account verification level. If your account is verified to an intermediate level, the daily limit for Mainland China is HKD 7,999 and the annual limit is HKD 100,000.

For advanced accounts, the daily limit remains HKD 7,999 but the annual limit increases to HKD 300,000.

Detailed view of PayPal app icon on a smartphone screen highlighting mobile payment technology.
Credit: pexels.com, Detailed view of PayPal app icon on a smartphone screen highlighting mobile payment technology.

If your account is verified with an ID scan and live selfie, the daily limit for Mainland China increases to HKD 20,000 and the annual limit jumps to HKD 500,000.

In contrast, the limits for The Philippines and Indonesia vary significantly, with daily limits ranging from HKD 5,000 to HKD 20,000 and annual limits ranging from HKD 100,000 to HKD 500,000.

Here's a breakdown of the limits for each country:

The minimum remittance amount for AlipayHK is HKD 20 per transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Alipay and AlipayHK?

Alipay and AlipayHK operate in different currencies (CNY and HKD respectively) and offer distinct financial features, allowing users to make various transactions such as shopping and bill payments.

Is AlipayHK safe?

AlipayHK is a secure payment method, protecting your money and personal info as long as you keep your account credentials private

Can I withdraw money from AlipayHK?

To withdraw money from AlipayHK, complete intermediate or advanced verification and follow the on-screen instructions after tapping "Top Up" and "Withdrawal". You can also save your bank account information for future withdrawals.

Can you use Alipay without a Chinese bank account?

Yes, you can use Alipay without a Chinese bank account, thanks to its Tour Pass feature. This 90-day service allows international banking information for non-Chinese users.

Can foreigners use Alipay?

Yes, foreigners can use Alipay with an international bank card from a major card network, allowing them to make mobile payments in China like locals.

Percy Cole

Senior Writer

Percy Cole is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for simplifying complex topics, Percy has established himself as a trusted voice in the insurance industry. Their expertise spans a range of article categories, including malpractice insurance and professional liability insurance for students.

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