A simple record of the process of registering for PayPal in the US region and removing risk controls.
TL;DR Version#
- If you register with a mainland IP, there will be some minor risk controls after registration, and you will need to submit identification documents. It is unknown if there will still be risk controls after submission.
- If you register with a US IP (I used a data center IP because I couldn't afford a residential IP), you can successfully link a card and bind to the App Store. However, before the first actual deduction (not a freeze or pending transaction), there will be major risk controls, and you will need to submit identification and address documents. You can use your ID card for identification and order an address proof document from Taobao.
Background#
Having a PayPal account in the US region has more advantages than disadvantages, especially since it can be used to link to the US App Store and pay for region-locked services.
Process#
First Attempt (Failed)#
Conditions used:
- Gmail email
- Direct connection
- Used a phone number from SMS-Activate (selected PayPal service, as virtual cards may not work for PayPal registration due to card issues). Virtual numbers can no longer be registered, such as Google Voice.
- Used a DE state address from a US address generator.
Result:
The success email and the account restriction email were almost sent one after the other. To remove the risk controls, only identification documents were required, but I don't remember seeing an option for a resident ID card. I gave up on this account and don't know if there will still be risk controls when making payments after it is unblocked.
Second Attempt (Not Failed Yet)#
Conditions used:
- Outlook email
- US data center IP (remained unchanged throughout the process)
- Same phone number as before
- Selected a DE address on Google Maps
Process:
- After registration, no risk controls were imposed. I could link a card (Bank of China Cross-border Visa Debit Card) and bind to the US App Store.
- Before the first actual deduction on the App Store, I received an email informing me that the account was restricted. To unblock it, I needed to provide identification documents and address proof, which were stricter than the first attempt.
- I used my resident ID card for identification, and according to tutorials I found online, I could obtain address proof from tompsd. However, I couldn't find this website anymore, so I had to order an electricity bill from Taobao (which had to match the registered address).
- After submitting the documents, I successfully passed the verification process, and now I can make payments directly and through the App Store without any issues.
Conclusion#
This is my experience, which may not be the best or even successful.
- Register with a US IP, without using any VPN nodes. If you use url-test or similar strategies, change it to select first.
- Besides phone number and address, provide real information.
- Avoid using virtual cards for phone numbers (there are websites to check if a number is VoIP or a virtual card).
- Try to find a genuine address on Google Maps, and remember to select a tax-free state.
- If you encounter risk controls, identification documents can be used to resolve them, and address proof can be purchased from Taobao.
Some reminders found online:
- Do not link the same card to multiple PayPal accounts in the same region, as it may lead to account suspension.
- The above rule does not apply to PayPal accounts in different regions.