For an overseas brand building a presence with Chinese consumers or partners, a WeChat Official Account is often the first piece of infrastructure. The registration process is entirely doable from abroad — but the document requirements are specific, and getting one item wrong restarts the clock. Here are clear, up-to-date instructions for foreign entities: required documents, fees, processing time, and where to get support.
1. Access the WeChat Official Account Platform
- Visit the official website: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/
- Click “Register Now” (立即注册) in the top-right corner.
2. Select account type
Choose “Service Account” (服务号).
Note: Foreign companies are currently only eligible to register Enterprise-type Service Accounts — a Subscription Account (订阅号) is not available to overseas entities.
3. Complete registration information
(1) Basic information
- Enter your email address and verify it with the confirmation code.
- Set a secure password for the account.
(2) Entity information
- Company name — must match the official business registration name.
- Registration number — must match the number on your business license or registration certificate.
- Administrator information — may be a foreigner but must have a verified WeChat account.
(3) Official Account information
- Account name — 4–30 characters (1 Chinese character = 2 characters).
- Function description — up to 120 characters.
- Operation region — select “Overseas” if applicable.
4. WeChat Verification (mandatory for activation)
After registration you must complete WeChat Verification (微信认证) to activate full functionality.
Required documents for foreign companies
- Business Registration Certificate — original photo, scanned copy, or stamped copy.
- Administrator’s ID — passport, driver’s license, or national ID.
- Application Letter (认证公函) — accepted languages: Simplified/Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, or Korean.
- Authorization Letter (运营授权书) — must be in Simplified Chinese or English.
- Contact person’s phone bill — if unavailable, provide a stamped company landline bill or bank statement.
Details on acceptable proof for phone/billing:
- Mobile phone bill — contact’s name, mobile number, and payment records for the last 3 months.
- Company landline bill — company name, phone number, and payment records for the last 3 months (with official seal).
- Bank statements — contact’s name and transaction records for the last 3 months (stamped as required).
Two additional documents may apply:
- Trademark authorization — if using a trademarked name, provide the trademark registration certificate or authorization letter.
- Legal representative’s ID & photo with application letter — required if the company has no official website.
5. Verification fee & processing time
- Fee: USD $99 (paid via WeChat Pay or international credit card, Visa / Mastercard).
- Processing time: 7–15 business days after submission of complete documents.
Key notes
- Foreign companies cannot register a Subscription Account (订阅号) — only Service Accounts (服务号).
- The administrator must have a verified WeChat account (foreigner or local).
- WeChat Verification is required for full functionality (customer service, payments, etc.).
Need a local agency to handle it?
If you’d rather have professional local support with registration and verification — or with what comes after, from content localization to account operations — that’s part of my China Social Media & Content service.
Contact me on WhatsApp: +86 138 2645 8785, or read about all the ways we can work together.