Opening a WeChat Official Account under an Overseas Business Entity: application process, requirements, fees and rules

How to register a WeChat Official Account from overseas

1. Go to the WeChat Official Accounts Platform

   Landing page URL to sign up: mp.weixin.qq.com
   
   You can choose to change the language in the top right corner to English. Then click “Register now” to start. 

2. Select the Official Account type

   The ‘Service Account” is the default option available for non-Chinese businesses. 
   
   The WeChat Overseas Official Account features is different from the functions available for the Local Official Account.
   
   

3. Input the credentials

   The email address should not have been registered with any other Official Account.
   
   Verify the email address by entering the six digit verification code from the email you will receive
   
   Set up a password for this account
   
   Click the “Register” button to continue

4. Confirm account type

   Double check that you have chosen the “Service Account”
   
   Click the “Select & Continue” button to continue

5. Fill in the business details and the admin’s info

   Designate an account administrator
   
   Information about the account administrator to input:
   – full legal name
   – passport details
   – a valid mobile phone number
   
   Verify the admin’s mobile phone number by entering the verification code from the text message you will receive
   It is only valid for 60 seconds, but new ones can be re-sent.
   
   Click the “Continue” button to continue

6. Double check the filled in information

   Make sure all the information is correct
   
   Click the “Confirm” button to continue
   
   When the info is successfully submitted, you will then receive confirmation.

7. Create an account profile

   Information about the account profile to fill in:
   – an account name
   – a short introduction
   
   Requirements:
   – Chinese and English character for the account name can be mixed for the account name.
   – There is a character limit.
   – The special characters are not allowed.
   
   Select your country where your company is incorporated.
   
   When validating this step, the account is created.
   
   Time to verify the account👇👇👇: verifying the account is highly recommended for 2 reasons:
   – most functions are not enabled without verification.
   – The official brand account and its content are considered legitimate by users.
   
   If the account is not verified within 30 days, your Official Account will be cancelled.

8. Click on the “Enable” button in the verification instruction screen to start the registration process

   

9. Download the “application / verification letter” document

   A light box is displayed listing the information and documents to prepare.
   
   Download the official application / verification letter document from the system
   
   We recommend to download it in Simplified Chinese and English and complete both of them.

10. Review and fill in the official “application / verification letter” document

    This document regularly changes. So the verification letter might look slightly different at the time of the verification process.
    
    You might be asked to redo the official application / verification letter if the information is not fully clear to them or matching your documents.
    
    Sign & stamp this document
    
    Notes:
    – Make sure you write all names exactly as on the company official documents and passport. Including each dot, comma and differences in capital letters
    – Make sure the document is signed by the official legal representative of the company and the contact person for the account
    – Add a company stamp or chop if available

11. Fill in the business details and the admin’s info again and upload the requested documents

    Input more detailed info:
    – about the business
    – about the contact info for the verification process
    Note:
    This contact info for the verification process can be different from the admin’s info input in Step 5. This contact info is only for the verification process.
    
    Requested documents:
    – Business license
    – Official application / verification letter
    – Contact’s mobile phone statement / bill
    – ID/Passport/Driving license copies
    Notes:
    – Documents must be uploaded in English. If your source documents are not in English, you might have to get the officially translated or notarized.
    – Mobile phone statement / bill needs to include the contact name, the phone number, the company name, phone number and a minimum of 3 month payment history.
    – For the ‘Contact Person ID Card’ (front & back), you can upload the same passport copy twice. No need to upload the backside of a passport.

12. Fill in the your provided account name again

    If you have a trademark for your selected name, select the option. Otherwise select “custom name” and continue. 

13. Select the option whether you need a electronic invoice or not

    If you opted for an e-invoice, it will be send out within 10 working days after passing the verification.

14. Pay the verification fee

    $99 USD
    
    2 options available:
    – “WeChat Pay”
    – “Credit Card Payment”