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Credit card for foreigner living in China?

I was wondering if there is a foreigner who has a credit card from a Chinese bank if so let me know. I am thinking if possible I would get a credit card like Master Card of Visa and use it on my trip back to Canada instead of using cash.

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Comment by Downtown David - 白大伟 on May 28, 2013 at 7:45: New article about credit cards in China

Comment by Chris Knight on May 1, 2013 at 13:45: You can get them, Pierre, but it's extremely difficult. If you go to the Bank Of China, you can get a "secured" credit card. Basically, you give them 10 or 20 thousand RMB, and you can get a credit card. That way, if you skip out on the bill, they just keep your money. After you have established credit with them, they give you back your secured deposit, although I suspect that what they really do is just raise your limit by that amount, and don't actually return your money. You can ask your school to apply for a credit card through the CCB or ICBC, on your behalf. They will need your passport and they will have to write a letter stating how long you have worked for them, and that they are going to have you sign another contract, etc.

However you do it, you will have to go through the main branch, downtown. None of the community branches will do it. They will all claim that they don't know how. Truth is, they can't be bothered, since it involves a foreigner.

I have been trying for 5 years to get a cc. So far, no joy. My wife and I tried to get a mortgage last year. As soon as they found out a foreigner was involved, they suddenly didn't know how to do the paperwork.

Gotta remember, too, that this is a place where you have to use US-dollars if you want to send funds by Western Union because "The RMB isn't allowed to leave the country".

In other words ... SNAFU!