Flywire, a global payments enablement and software company, today announced that it has partnered with Tencent Financial Technology, Tencent's fintech arm, to extend Weixin Pay (also known as WeChat Pay) as a payment option for Chinese students and families making education payments abroad. Through this direct partnership with Tencent, Flywire further streamlines the payment experience for students looking to make international tuition and other education-related payments from China.

Responding to increased demand for seamless, digital payment experiences

The partnership between Flywire and Tencent Financial Technology applies the same, seamless experience Chinese consumers are used to in their daily transactions to cross-border education payments. Weixin Pay is one of the popular digital wallets in China, with consumers deeply embedded into the Weixin ecosystem because it allows them to chat, browse, and make payments, all in one place. While Chinese students are eager to replicate the simplicity of these e-commerce transactions when making high-value payments, they’ve traditionally been faced with a lengthy and complex process when making tuition payments internationally due to restrictions and regulations imposed.

The partnership between Tencent Financial Technology and Flywire aims to rectify this gap and meet consumer demand for a seamless payment experience. Through Flywire, Chinese students can pay their education institution using Weixin Pay in their own currency (Renminbi). Payers can be assured that they will receive the added benefit of Flywire’s around-the-clock support in their local language. In turn, higher education institutions receive the exact amount owed, reconciled to the penny in their own currency.

“This partnership ensures that for Chinese students studying internationally at institutions that use Flywire, we essentially become their “pay” button, by offering localized and seamless payment capabilities, which benefit students, families and institutions alike," said Mohit Kansal, Senior Vice President of Global Payments and Payer Services at Flywire. “Flywire has long offered Weixin Pay as a payment method, but the direct connection with Tencent makes the payment experience more convenient and streamlined."

Partnership capitalizes on uptick of outbound Chinese students

Chinese students, next to those from India, represent the largest percentage of the international student population in the world. According to the latest research from the Institute of International Education (IIE) Open Doors report, China remained the top sending country of students to the United States, contributing more than $10 billion to the U.S. economy.

Flywire research also suggests that the demand to study abroad remains strong: 66% of Chinese students surveyed said they are motivated to study outside of their home country for the academic reputation of schools abroad and for new cultural experiences.

China’s recent border reopening reinforces more international student mobility from the region. According to the China Outbound Research Tourism Institute, Chinese outbound mobility is expected to recover to around two-thirds of its 2019 highs, with around 110 million border crossings expected from China. A 2023 report from New Oriental Vision Overseas Consulting Company suggests that in addition to studying in the U.S., Chinese students continue to broaden out to many other academic destinations, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, as well as a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Wenhui Yang, General Manager, Tencent Financial Technology Asia Pacific, said, "We are always looking for better ways to serve our users. Flywire’s existing footprint in China, impressive client roster and proven technology made this a natural partnership for us. As more Chinese students are eager to study abroad again, we’re confident that Flywire will enable our users to improve their international payment experience, and make paying for education as easy as sending a chat.”