Credit Card

You can go to Bank of China, open an account in US$ (500 minimum), and apply for an international VISA card. It takes about 1 week processing time.

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Up until now, I've had more problems in my life than a cub scout at the Neverland Ranch...

Thanks I will try this.

Shenzhen Development Bank has what u want..I got a friend working there,maybe she can help...

Hi all I have just heard back from the bank about my Credit Card. The Bank of China is now saying foreigners need to own a house or have real assets to apply for a international credit card.

Actually for the Bank of China you need to have a work and residence permits. If you are employed here and you pay taxes you may need a letter from your employer stating that and showing your monthly income.
Construction Bank in fact has to allow you using card abroad and for purchase. Also, it was one of the easiest banks when dealing with money transfers... Perhaps that has changed.

Yes I give the Bank of China my work and residence permits and a letter from my employer stating that and showing my monthly income but now I need to own a house in China too.

I have a credit card from the Construction Bank and they do not allow me to use the card online for purchase.

To me, the credit card from Bank of China is the worst credit card I ever had. Especially when you want to use it outside of China or online. Don't even bother to apply for it.

I guess that everyone has different experiences with any credit card, but I never had a problem using the BOC card in the US. The only thing that I guess could be considered as a problem is that it must be paid in US$. That could pose some problems here in Zhuhai.

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Up until now, I've had more problems in my life than a cub scout at the Neverland Ranch...

Umm.
I think what you really want to do is to have someone who speaks GOOD English and Chinese with you when you visit BOC, COB and SzDB. I am pretty sure there are different options for a card that allows you to withdraw/transfer/get/order online. I think they aren't called CREDIT cards but more like debit VISA/MATER CARD. Because the BOC requirement for CREDIT card makes total sense as you'll be first buying/withdrawing then paying later and they need more than just you being employed here (what if you decide to quit your job and leave the country?)

*cheekygal

But is that not a problem in any country you work in, even your home country? I can see this being more of a issue in China but come on own a house? would it not be better to ask for a bank account where the balance should stay the same? I had my girl friend with me when applying she is a Chinese English teacher and her English is very good, she even translated my work contact for me, and they never said anything about that when applying.

Back home there are ways to get to you ;-)

That is true cheekygal but I still think asking some to own a house is a bit much, Why not just put a sign out side the bank door saying "Foreigners must own a house to do business with us"
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Living in China often makes a panda living in space look normal.

I have been away 4 years now and my credit card limit has been doubled and then doubled again. It is now a little more than I want but I will leave as is.

I think each bank has it's own policy about giving credit cards to foreigners. I applied for and got a dual currency card (Visa for USD and Union Pay for RMB) from the Bank of Communications without any problem. The only problem with this card is that it doesn't work online. It works fine overseas but just not on the internet. When I phoned the credit card center to ask about this, I was told they they blocked online purchases for "security reasons".

Because of this, I then tried to apply for a Visa card from ICBC. According to their website, it should work fine online and they even support "Verified by Visa". However, ICBC Zhuhai office refuses to let me apply. According to the ICBC website, I meet all of the requirements. When I inquired, their credit card center in Zhuhai told me that foreigners must give a guarantee in the form of a deposit for 1.1 times the amount of the credit limit. When I phoned the head office of ICBC, they told me that this is not required and that foreigners are treated the same as Chinese. When I called back the Zhuhai credit card center and told them what the head office told me they said that each city can make it's own regulations and in Zhuhai they require a guaranteed deposit from foreigners. I tried to apply through Guangzhou but they wouldn't let me because I live in Zhuhai.

I'm still looking for a solution to use a credit card from China for online purchases.

It drives you crazy I am going to GZ this weekend if I can find a Bank of China Open I'll try there, The last time I was in GZ they said I could but I did not have all the paper work I need eg a bill with my home address. I will let you know what happens.
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Never knock on deaths door, Ring the bell and run away death really hates that. (Author Known)

get a Visa Card in Bank of China(中国银行). It supports intanational trade.

Yes but in Zhuhai foreigners need to own a apartment, I am not going to buy a apartment just to get a visa that supports international trade, all I need is a small limit.
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Never knock on deaths door, Ring the bell and run away death really hates that. (Author Known)

I think the credit card from Construction Bank can be used for online purchasing in China. Maybe you just don't use it in a right way.
Most of the credit cards in China support e-buying.

Yes I can use the credit card from Construction Bank for online purchasing in China. However, I would like to get some stuff from my home country that I can buy online and the easiest way to do that is with a international Credit card. One would also make it easier for overseas investments I would like to do.
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Never knock on deaths door, Ring the bell and run away death really hates that. (Author Known)

I guess the reason for some local banks tighten the application procesures for a foreigner to get a Vias is because the international hot-money is increasing the bad debt rate of the banks. You konw, they are losing money.

ICBC is making money, but yes bad debt is a problem. Personal I never spend money I do to have haha.
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Never knock on deaths door, Ring the bell and run away death really hates that. (Author Known)

woolala, couldn't agree any more! the BOC credit card is zero at online bankings....

Most of the time I failed at making my payments online, then I called the card centre, all their answers are:"sorry, we got no records". what a nice state run bank!

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mi chiamo Keity

Ok, update on Construction Bank. I went with a friend to open a card for online purchases in China (it is a regular card but has ALIPAY.COM on it). They couldn't do it because I am not Chinese and I don't have an ID card hence no online purchases. Their system kept rejecting regular passport number. I know a bunch of foreigners back in Beijing who could open e-banking at various banks. And Construction Bank in Beijing was offering me e-banking - I just never got around getting it. Perhaps in Zhuhai they have different rules. Oh well. No taobao.com shopping for me.

then I suggest you use a credit card from BOC or ICBC. I think it would works for you to shop on taobao.com

I can use my Construction Bank Credit card online here in china but not on overseas web sites, I got the credit card in Zhuhai. When I went to ICBC I was told I could not have a credit card, that I can use overseas but I did not go to the main branch and ask, I believe you need to go to the main branch and ask. Saturday I will go to the main branch of BOC in GZ and apply or get turned way, If I have time I'll also go to the main branch of ICBC.

I will get a International Credit Card or improve my Chinese trying.

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Never knock on deaths door, Ring the bell and run away death really hates that. (Author Known)

Have you tried the BOC main branch in Gongbei? That might be more convenient than GZ. It is next to the Yindo Hotel.

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Up until now, I've had more problems in my life than a cub scout at the Neverland Ranch...

cheekygal,

You can open an ALIPAY account in Zhuhai. There is a trick to entering your passport number that the bank employee probably didn't know about.

They have to enter the Chinese character 户 before entering your passport number. For example, if you passport number is HQ123123 then they need to enter 户HQ123123.

orrin,

From what the bank I when into said (this is a sub branch) the main branch in Zhuhai said I needed to own a apartment so I am guessing if I go to the main branch in Gongbei I will get told the same thing, beside I am going to GZ this weekend anyways so it is no big deal going to the bank in GZ.

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Never knock on deaths door, Ring the bell and run away death really hates that. (Author Known)

Thanks! I will try. The thing is that in my passport there are no letters in serial number. It is a double digit number then NO and then number :o) Worse comes to worse, I will just ask my Chinese friend to buy with her card first and then pay her back :o)

@David,

Good luck. I hope you can get better service/results from the BOC central in GZ.

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Up until now, I've had more problems in my life than a cub scout at the Neverland Ranch...

@orrin

Thanks, I when into the Agricultural Bank of China today and send some money to NZ (only token 30 minutes which was great) and asked them about one, they have a credit card that can be used overseas but it is very hard for a foreigner to get. When I first when into this bank (about 9 months about) I thought their service was bad but today their service was great. They have got some people there that can speak a little English now, I mean so they know what you want and can tell you what to do. They even filled out the international bank transfer form for me.

I must say their service has gotten better, If at stays it this level or gets even better I may just deal with them in transferring money to NZ and get my friends to buy what I need online.
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Never knock on deaths door, Ring the bell and run away death really hates that. (Author Known)

No luck in GZ with the Credit card looks like I am stuck with plan B

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Never knock on deaths door, Ring the bell and run away death really hates that. (Author Known)

Another options is to get a Visa debit card. ICBC offers a Visa Electron. It's basically the same thing except the money is taken out of your bank account immediately rather than being billed at the end of the month.

One of the problems with this is that you cannot use the card to make a guarantee such as when you book a hotel online.

I do not care about guarantees I have a credit card I can you in China for that, I just need a easy way to buy and transfer money overseas
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Never knock on deaths door, Ring the bell and run away death really hates that. (Author Known)