Can I send money over WeChat?

What started as an IM service now lets you pay for anything from your dry-cleaning bill to your groceries.

WeChat's wallet feature is a quick and easy way to split a dinner bill, pay a friend back or shop without a physical wallet. If you already use WeChat for messaging and you're registered in China, South Africa or Hong Kong, using it to send money is easy.

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Adrienne Fuller

Rosie Russell

Last Updated Nov 5, 2019

USD 1

Min. Transfer Amount

USD 2,000

Max. Transfer Amount

Within an hour

Transfer Speed

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Details

Details

Min. Transfer Amount	USD 1
Max. Transfer Amount	USD 2,000
Transfer Methods	Online, Cash Transfer
Transfer Speed Minimum transfer time	Within an hour
Available Currencies	CNY, HKD, MYR, ZAR

Adrienne Fuller

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Adrienne Fuller is the head of publishing at Finder US. With a decade of experience creating guides in finance and education, she aims to deliver the accurate and transparent information she wishes she had when she made some of life's important financial decisions. For the past 3 years she has been the publisher of money transfers, helping readers save when they send money all over the globe. She has a BA from Colorado College and loves to hike with her two Catahoula dogs around her home in San Diego.

What is WeChat?

WeChat – locally known as 微信 or Weixin – is a social media app that's become one of the most widely used in China. Because it's governed by China's strong censorship laws and messaging interception rules, the government can potentially review your messages and other data at any time. Given this, it's no surprise that WeChat's had a difficult time catching on internationally.

Can I use WeChat Wallet in Australia?

While WeChat is available around the world, WeChat Wallet is only available for those who have a bank account in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia or South Africa. If you do, you'll be able to use WeChat Wallet in Australia.

At the start of 2018, WeChat Pay launched. This feature lets tourists, expats or international students pay at certain stores in Australia. You can see if your local grocery store offers it by looking for the logo.

How do I request and send money with WeChat Wallet?

What happens when someone sends me money?

The money you’re sent on WeChat is automatically transferred into your WeChat Wallet — meaning you don’t accept or deny payment. By reviewing your balance you can view and manage how much money is in your WeChat account.

Are there restrictions for sending money with WeChat?

Yes. WeChat is not legally allowed to process international money transfers. Be aware that only wallets specific to the areas supported by WeChat — China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and South Africa — can send accessible money between each other.

What this means is that if you're trying to send money from your wallet in China to someone in South Africa, the money will be sent, but now the recipient in South Africa will also have a Chinese wallet. Unless the user from South Africa heads to China, the money will be useless.

Is sending money over WeChat Wallet safe?

WeChat encrypts your personal information, financial details and monetary transactions. However, WeChat doesn't provide much information on other digital safeguards.

Because WeChat Wallet is based in China, it isn't required to comply with Australian security standards. Keep in mind that the Chinese government monitors all social media devices, including WeChat. So it’s safe from hackers, but no transaction is completely private.

Pros

Free service. Unlike PayPal, which makes money through a percentage of your transaction, WeChat's developer Tencent makes money selling other products. While WeChat Wallet is another way for Tencent to sell its products, the service is free to use.

Cons:

Service limited to certain countries. To use WeChat Wallet, your account must be registered in mainland China, South Africa or Hong Kong.
Potential for government prying. WeChat is governed by China's laws that allow the government to monitor your messages and personal info.
No specified delivery. WeChat doesn't advertise how long it takes for transfers to complete, which means you may need to look elsewhere for emergencies.

Are there other ways I can send money overseas?

While WeChat doesn't have the ability yet to make an international money transfer, there are other providers that can. Learn more about them below. If you'd like the convenience of a mobile app, check out our review on some of the most popular money transfer apps.

I want to send

Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
AUD 3	1 - 2 days	AUD 8.00	4.538	CNY 4,501	Transfer money overseas for $0. Valid till 15 February 2022. T&Cs apply.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 3.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Agent, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders Customer service Phone, Chat, Email, Branch Available currencies AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, CNY, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, MXN, NOK, NZD, SAR, SEK, SGD, THB, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 1	1 day	AUD 7.50	4.551	CNY 4,517	Pay no fees on your first two transfers, up to $3,000. SingX offers the real exchange rate every time you make a transfer and can help you send money across the world.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AUD, CAD, CNY, EUR, GBP, HKD, IDR, INR, JPY, KRW, LKR, MYR, NPR, NZD, PHP, SGD, THB, USD, VND, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 250	1 - 2 days	-	-		$0 transfer fees for Finder customers. OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 250.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, AZN, BGN, BND, CAD, CHF, CNY, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, FJD, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KRW, KWD, LKR, MAD, MGA, MXN, MYR, NOK, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, RUB, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, THB, TOP, TRY, TWD, TZS, USD, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XOF, XPF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 10	Within an hour	AUD 2.99	4.514	CNY 4,501	Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers. Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 10.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies ARS, AUD, BDT, BGN, BOB, BRL, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DOP, EGP, ETB, GHS, GTQ, GYD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, INR, JMD, KES, KMF, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, MYR, NIO, NPR, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RWF, THB, TND, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XAF, XOF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 1	Within an hour	AUD 3.99	4.537	CNY 4,519	Use code Take10AUD to get $10 off when you spend $20. Valid till 31 January 2022. T&Cs apply. Use promo code 3FREE to send your first 3 transfers with no fee. Conditions apply. WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat Available currencies AED, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JOD, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RUB, RWF, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, SOS, SRD, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
AUD 1	1 - 2 days	AUD 7.50	4.532	CNY 4,498	Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, ARS, AUD, BDT, BGN, BRL, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, HKD, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, MYR, NGN, NOK, NPR, NZD, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, RON, RUB, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XOF, ZAR, ZMW Go to site Read the full review
AUD 200	1 - 2 days	AUD 5.00	4.544	CNY 4,521	Exclusive: Use code FINDER60 to get AUD 30 off your first two transfers. Valid for transfers over AUD 250 and till 31 January 2022. T&Cs apply. Instarem offers simple transfers with a flat 0.5% transfer fee for most transfers.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 200.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AUD, BDT, CAD, CNY, EUR, GBP, HKD, IDR, INR, KRW, LKR, MYR, NPR, PHP, PKR, SGD, THB, USD, VND Go to site Read the full review

Compare up to 4 providers

Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.

HSBC International Money Transfers

Transfer money overseas for $0. Valid till 15 February 2022. T&Cs apply.

More info

Azimo International Money Transfers

Azimo sends money directly to a bank account or over 280,000 cash pick-up points. It also has fast transfers to 50+ countries.

More info

TorFX International Money Transfers

TorFX guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. Conditions apply.
TorFX sends money overseas in 30+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.

More info

MasterRemit International Money Transfers

New customers get their first transaction for free with code FIRSTFREE. T&Cs apply.
Send money in minutes at competitive exchange rates with this Australian money transfer service.

More info

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Can I send money over WeChat?