Visa has launched a contactless transit payment pilot programme across the Shenzhen Metro network.

The initiative allows international visitors to use their foreign cards for transit, supporting broader efforts to integrate payment systems within the Greater Bay Area.

The pilot covers all 17 lines and 432 stations within the Shenzhen network.

Passengers with eligible chip cards or enabled mobile devices can bypass ticket machines and pay directly at designated gates. The service also supports ticket validation for Business Class carriages on Line 11.

Shenzhen is the third city in the Greater Bay Area to support the payment company’s transit service. It follows implementations in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

The launch comes ahead of the APEC forum scheduled for November 2026 in Shenzhen. This is expected to bring a steady increase in international arrivals.

“The introduction of Visa acceptance on the Shenzhen Metro brings a new level of convenience for international travellers and Hong Kong commuters,”

said Paulina Leong, General Manager of Visa Hong Kong and Macau.

Leong added that the service allows commuters to use familiar payment methods without setting up local applications, bridging international visitors with cities across the region.

The expansion builds on a growing preference for digital payments among cross-border travellers.

A recent Visa study highlighted that payment seamlessness is a significant factor driving frequent travel between Hong Kong and mainland China.

The company has rolled out similar transit payment systems across major mainland Chinese cities. These include full implementation in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou.

To encourage adoption among cross-border commuters, the company is offering a cash rebate of up to 10% for eligible Hong Kong and Macau cardholders. This applies to overseas public transit networks until July 2026.

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Hong Kong, based on image by Frolopiaton Palm via Magnific