Visa announced that it will support Chinese-issued Visa cards on Apple Pay for use at overseas Visa-accepting merchants, enabling in-store, in-app and online payments outside mainland China.

The service allows cardholders to add eligible Visa cards from participating Chinese banks to Apple Pay.

Visa said 79% of global in-person transactions are now made using contactless NFC payments.

Yin Xiaolong, General Manager at Visa Mainland China, said:

“As global digital payments develop rapidly, consumers increasingly expect mobile payment solutions that are smartphone-based and interoperable. Visa has long been committed to providing Chinese cardholders with diverse payment options, enabling them to enjoy a secure and seamless payment experience wherever they are.”

The first group of issuing banks supporting the service includes Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Communications, China Merchants Bank, China CITIC Bank, Ping An Bank and Industrial Bank.

Visa and Apple said they are working with additional banks. These include Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, China Construction Bank, China Minsheng Bank and China Everbright Bank. Further rollouts are planned.

For in-store payments overseas, Apple Pay uses device-based authentication such as Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. Transactions use a one-time dynamic security code that the system sends to the issuing bank for authorisation.

Users can also make payments in overseas mobile apps and on websites with Apple Pay without manually entering card or shipping details.

When users add a Visa card to Apple Pay, Apple does not store the card number on the device or on its servers.

Cardholders can add their Visa cards through the Apple Wallet app or via their bank’s app. Existing card rewards and benefits remain unchanged.

Visa said additional offers related to overseas travel and spending are available through its V Select WeChat Mini Program.

Featured image credit: Visa