Zhima Credit makes visa applications easier

A credit-scoring mechanism of Ant Financial Services Group now allows Chinese travelers to circumvent the need to submit bank statements when applying for Canadian visitor visas.

Users of Zhima Credit with a score of 750 or higher can generate a free report containing their identity and financial status via Ant's Alipay mobile wallet. An English-language report can be submitted in lieu of bank statements to show their financial standing during visa applications.

Zhima Credit is an opt-in feature in Alipay that analyzes a user's digital finance footprint and assess one's creditworthiness based on five gauges: identity, behavioral preferences, payback capabilities, social networks and credit history. Using data generated by users via its related platforms, Zhima Credit ranks an individual's creditworthiness on a scale of 350 to 950.