Comprehensive Guide to Opening a WeChat Official Account for Overseas Business Entities

As the most popular social media and messaging service in China, WeChat has dramatically changed the ways how enterprises interact with these consumers. From Q1 2018, WeChat has allowed foreign companies to open and legally own WeChat Official Accounts (OAs) wholly owned by overseas' entities. Since July 2018, these overseas official accounts have been accessible to WeChat users in mainland China, allowing overseas businesses direct access to China's vast market for their marketing campaigns and business management. This guide will explain to you, step-by-step, the procedures, costs, and regulations concerning setting up an overseas WeChat Official Account for business.

What is a WeChat Overseas Official Account?

WeChat Overseas Official Account, or international Service Official Account, is a WeChat Official Account that is registered with an overseas business license. The Chinese name for this account type is 海外特殊认证的国内服务号. This account type helps the foreign business use the already large user base of WeChat in china for advertising and communication with customers.

Costs and Fees

The primary cost of obtaining a WeChat Overseas Official Account is the USD 99 annual verification fee. This fee is necessary to keep it as a verified account to fully realize most aspects of an account and obtain the trust of the users.

Process Lead Time

Typically, registering a WeChat International account takes no more than two weeks. The period also involves reviewing and approval from the WeChat team on the verification application, which barely takes one week.

WeChat Business Accounts available to foreign firms

While foreign businesses can apply for and gain a Service Official Account, it remains that they cannot apply for a Subscription Official Account. The various aspects concerning the utilization of Subscription and Service accounts, including the functionality, differ and are outlined in various WeChat resources.

Step by Step-by-Step guide on How to Register a WeChat International

Official Account Eligible Countries

Several countries' business incorporations are also possible for getting a WeChat Overseas Official Account. Some of these countries include:

• Malaysia

• Hong Kong

• Singapore

• Thailand

The list of all eligible countries is provided in the document used in the preparation of the material for publication. Such an extensive list means that several businesses from different areas will be able to enter the Chinese market through WeChat.

Required Documents

To create a WeChat Overseas Official Account, businesses must prepare the following documents:

Foreign business license: This document validates the overseas entity's authenticity.

Foreign phone number: A phone number outside China for confirmation purposes and other communications.

A foreign passport or driver's license of the account administrator: Official identification for they person who is handling the account.

The Procedure to Set up a WeChat Official Account for foreign companies

Step 1: Go to the WeChat Official Accounts Platform

First of all, open the WeChat Official Accounts Platform on mp.weixin.qq.com. The language can be switched to English by clicking on the language option situated in the top right corner. To begin the registration process, please click on the "Register Now" link.

Step 2: Choose the Official Account Type

For non-Chinese businesses, the basic plan is the Service Account. This type of account is distinct from Local Official Accounts in terms of the offered functionalities but is appropriate for foreign users.

Step 3: Input Credentials

Make sure that the email is not used in the registration of any other WeChat Official Account. These are details like a six-digit verification code having been sent to your email. Here is this code to confirm the email address. After that, enter a password for the account and click on the button "Register" to go to the next step.

Step 4: Confirm the type of account

Make sure that the options you have selected reflect the "Service Account". Click on the button "Select & Continue" to proceed to the next section of the test.

Step 5: Enter business information and administrator's data

The account administrator's full legal name, passport number, and valid mobile number must also be provided. Include the verification code sent through a short message service on the mobile phone number to authenticate it. This code can only be used once and remains valid for 60 seconds. You can request new codes. Click "Continue" to proceed.

Step 6: Cross Reference

Check everything that a client has provided for accuracy. Click the 'Confirm' button to complete the submission. You will receive a confirmation notification upon successful submission.

Step 7: Create an account profile

Fill in the account profile with the following information:

Account name: This can be a combination of Chinese and English letters, but there cannot be too many and special symbols and letters are disallowed.

Short introduction: Ensure you make a brief description of the account as follows;

Choose the country under which your firm is registered to operate. After this step is verified, the account is created. Upon completion of this step, the account is finalized.

Verification of the account is highly recommended for two reasons:

• Most functions are disabled when verification is required.

• The official brand account and its content are regarded as authoritative by users.

If this account is not verified within thirty days, it will be deactivated. There is typically an 'Enable' button on the verification instruction screen. Once clicked, it begins the verification process.

Step 8: Click on the “Enable” button to start to start the registration process.

Step 9: Download the Application/Verification Letter

Retrieve the verification communication letter/action from the system in order to download the official application. It is preferred that this document be downloaded in Simplified Chinese and English. Fill in the given prescriptions according to the instructions.

Step 10: Review and Fill in the Verification Letter

Spend some time to read through and complete the verification letter should be done. All the names should be entered in the same manner as they are provided on other legal documents, including check punctuation and capitalization. According to the law, the document should then be signed by the official representative of the company and the contact personnel for the account. An additional stamp of the company should be included if possible.

Step 11: Supply Accurate Data and Papers

Provide more descriptive data about the business and the individual that has to go through the verification. It is crucial to note that this contact information can be different from the administrator's contact information that has been stated earlier.

Required documents include:

• Business License

• Official application/verification letter

• Contact's mobile phone statement/bill

• ID/Passport/Driving license copies

Make sure all the documents are in English. Unless otherwise stated, they have to be either translated or notarized. The mobile phone statement should have the following information the contact name, phone number, company of work, phone number and account details that show that the person has been making payments for a period not less than three months. For the contact person's ID card, you can upload twice the copy of the passport.

Step 12: Account Name Verification and Invoice Management

Re-enter the name of the account. If you do have a trademark for the name, choose the right option; if not, then choose "custom name" and then move to the next step. Determine whether or not you require e-invoicing. In case the e-invoice option is selected, the e-invoice will be generated within ten working days from the verification.

Step 13: Complete the Verification Fee

As to the fifth check – the verification fee, you will be expected to part with ninety-nine US dollars. Payment options include:

• WeChat Pay

• Credit Card Payment

Step 14: Application Review

The WeChat team will review verification application submissions on WeChat. During this period, depending on your service provider's call forwarding options, your Chinese working hours may be used. Most of the time, the review teams are in a position to understand or converse in fluent English sufficiently enough to verify the information given.

Alternative: Third-Party Chinese Business License

If you want to have more extensive access to the capabilities of a domestic WeChat Business Account, which also has the Subscription Account type, you can work with a credible Chinese company. This local company can open an account for you. However, this approach poses certain dangers because the overseas company depends on a third-party local company for your followers, at least for a short period.

Local vs Overseas WeChat Official Accounts

The activity of opening WCA is called WeChat Global Account, and it includes essential functions such as the chatbot, customer service, and WeChat advertising. However, WeChat APIs and WeChat Pay, integral to the app's functionality, remain inaccessible to overseas accounts. Knowledge of these differences assists the business in making suitable decisions on the type of account and how to use it.

Conclusion

To open a WeChat Official Account for an overseas business entity, the following procedures have to be followed which include the following: Reading through this article as well as following the laid down instructions, one is capable of attaining a WeChat account and using the infinite account to reach Chinese consumers and improve his/her business by effectively using the account. Despite this complexity, the promise that is extended in arranging to tap into the huge market of China is very alluring to many companies.

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