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anonymous
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Q: Getting an international bank card

Hello. I am an American teaching in China and I only have a Bank of China Union pay debit card. I would like to travel elsewhere in Asia, but I my bank says I need to own a house to get a Visa or Mastercard. How can I get cash while vacationing abroad? Any way to get an international card from here? I'm in Jiangsu. Thanks. 

9 years 11 weeks ago in  Money & Banking - China

 
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Posts: 2488

Emperor

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You can use the Chinese bank card to withdraw money pretty much everywhere. Hope you enjoyed the anonymity sucka! 

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9 years 11 weeks ago
 
Posts: 691

Shifu

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You seem to be the last user who enjoyed anonymous posting on this site...Withdraw money and purchase from the travel agencies though you ll be ripped off...don't think of getting a credit card from Chinese banks until you can deposit a certain amount. Try an international bank as I got mine from French bank recently...

icnif77:

Check 'laowai friendly bank' thread for CMBank futures

9 years 11 weeks ago
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thefidu881:

I tried the CMB with all required documents from my employer, LANDLORDY but I opted for CC. You know what was the last comment I heard? Lowai can't get a CC even a lowai from Taiwan wasn't awarded a CC...LMFAO...that too after asking me for the documents and whole lot of crap...I have read your thread and that is a different thing though useful. Now I have got two, one from back home renewed and another from a French bank here in China...

9 years 11 weeks ago
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icnif77:

I got declined CC at Urumqi CMB, because I didn't 'live and work in Urumqi'. I was in Fuk., 40km away, what CMB manager knew, when she suggested I apply for CMB CC.surprise

She was(is) tall, skinny female, so all troubles with gathering 77 different docs. at my School were quickly forgotten.

9 years 10 weeks ago
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9 years 11 weeks ago
 
Posts: 86

Governor

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Its not easy to get international card, bank will require all the details including ur work place and ur monthly salary... sometime pretty annoying, in.my case bank staff weren't aware how to.issue international card.

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9 years 11 weeks ago
 
Posts: 3868

Emperor

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I can tell you from recent personal experience (last week) that it is EASY to get a joint Unionpay/Visa card now in China. 

 

China Merchants bank now offer standard accounts that give a joint Unionpay/VISA DEBIT (NOT Credit!) card that can be used internationally. 

 

How easy is this? Bloody easy as long as you take a Chinese speaker (went with my wife), tell them you want an account that gives you VISA (or they have MasterCard option), & use your passport for ID. I also took my work permit just in case but didn't need it. Opening the account took 30 minutes & I had to wait a week for the card. 

Hotwater:

And Mike is right...you can use Unionpay to withdraw cash from ATMs all over the world now. Wikipedia has a page devoted to Unionpay which tells you where you can withdraw internationally. 

9 years 11 weeks ago
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Quinn68:

Not all "international" unionpay cards work overseas. This is usually because the bank neglected to add that capability to it. My card didn't work in the U.S. b/c the teller who issued it made some kind of mistake. Fortunately, I had another bank acct. I could withdraw funds from. Make absolutely sure the bank issues you a functioning card. And always, always have a back up account when traveling overseas.

9 years 11 weeks ago
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Hotwater:

Good point. Forgot to mention that. They did ask me if I wanted to use it overseas which I thought was a weird question at the time but then TIC

9 years 10 weeks ago
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9 years 11 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2878

Shifu

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Wow...the last anonymous question. I wouldn't want anyone to think I had an international bank card either.

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9 years 11 weeks ago
 
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Answer of the DayMORE >>
A:  "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "S
A: "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "Shenzhen agent can connect you with an employer, who's authorized to hire waigouren ... and can sponsor Z visa." It's not like every 10th person you meet in Shenzhen's hood can sponsor work visa ...  The only way to change from student to labourer visa is just a regular way by: 1. Finding an employer, who'll apply for an Invitation letter; 2. Exit China and apply for Z visa in your home country's Chinese embassy; 3. Enter China in 30-days after Z visa was stamped into your travelling instrument ...As I am aware, you won't be able to switch to Working permit by remaining in China....,so make ready for a return to your home .... -- icnif77