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Visa and UnionPay team up to revolutionize cross-border payments to China

Sending money to China just got easier. A groundbreaking Visa-UnionPay alliance promises near-instant, secure payments for millions—launching in 2026.

The image shows an old banknote from the National Bank of China with Chinese writing on it.
The image shows an old banknote from the National Bank of China with Chinese writing on it.

Visa and UnionPay team up to revolutionize cross-border payments to China

Visa and UnionPay International have partnered to simplify cross-border payments into China. The collaboration connects Visa Direct's global network with UnionPay's MoneyExpress platform. This move aims to make money transfers faster and more secure for both consumers and businesses.

The partnership allows Visa Direct users to send funds directly to UnionPay debit cardholders in mainland China. Over 95% of these cardholders will be reachable through a single connection. The system is designed to handle remittances and business payouts with greater ease.

The expanded service is set to launch in the first half of 2026. Visa Direct's network will integrate with UnionPay International's infrastructure, ensuring smoother transactions. The collaboration focuses on improving transparency and security for cross-border payments.

No specific figures on UnionPay cardholders affected by this deal have been released. Details on similar partnerships in other regions also remain undisclosed.

The new service will streamline money transfers into China for millions of users. Businesses and individuals will benefit from a more efficient payment process. The rollout is scheduled for early 2026, with Visa Direct and UnionPay International managing the integration.

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