Overleaf is undoubtedly a powerful assistant for LaTeX users. It not only provides a robust online LaTeX editing environment but also supports real-time collaboration, version control, and a wealth of template resources, making it popular among university faculty, students, and researchers. The Professional version of Overleaf offers even more conveniences for team collaboration and complex project management, such as advanced permission management, unlimited collaborators, and priority technical support. However, for domestic users, subscribing to Overleaf's Professional version may face payment channel restrictions, especially since it requires using an international credit card for USD payments. Fortunately, WildCard provides a convenient solution for domestic users, making subscriptions simple and secure. Additionally, university users have the opportunity to apply for free professional access through their institutions.
WildCard Virtual Card Recommendation: https://leixue.com/go/yeka
Why Choose Overleaf Professional Version?#
Compared to the free version, Overleaf's Professional version offers many practical features, particularly suitable for academic teams that require efficient collaboration. For example, the Professional version supports unlimited collaborators, allowing team members to edit documents simultaneously and synchronize changes in real-time; advanced permission management allows for setting read-only or edit permissions to protect document security; additionally, the Professional version provides priority technical support, enabling quick resolutions to issues. For university faculty and students who frequently write complex academic papers and require collaboration, these features can significantly enhance efficiency.
However, subscribing to Overleaf requires completing the payment through international channels, which may pose a challenge for domestic users. Traditional UnionPay cards often do not support USD payments, while other virtual cards like Dupay, VCard, PokePay, WasabiCard, or LocalCard usually require recharging through cryptocurrencies like USDT, which is cumbersome and carries exchange rate fluctuation risks. In contrast, WildCard supports recharging via Alipay and WeChat, making the process simple and stable, especially suitable for domestic users.
Using WildCard to Subscribe to Overleaf Professional Version#
Register for a WildCard Account#
Visit the WildCard official website, click the "Register" button in the upper right corner, enter your phone number (for mainland users, select +86), and submit the verification code to complete the registration. Using the invitation code "LEIXUE" can enjoy card opening discounts, allowing new users to activate services at a lower price.
Card Opening and Recharging#
After logging in, go to the "My Cards" page, select the card opening duration (1 year for $11.99 or 2 years for $16.99, with an additional $1 discount using the invitation code). Pay the card opening fee via Alipay or WeChat QR code, and you will receive a virtual credit card upon completion. It is recommended to recharge at least $25 for the first time to cover the Overleaf subscription fee (approximately $20/month) and a possible $5 pre-authorization fee. The recharge process for WildCard does not require complex facial recognition, with a default limit of $100/month, which can be increased to $3000/month after completing Alipay real-name verification.
Binding and Subscribing#
Log in to your account on the Overleaf official website, go to the subscription page, and select the Professional plan. Fill in the virtual card information provided by WildCard (card number, expiration date, CVV code) on the payment page, and confirm to complete the subscription. WildCard's payment channels are optimized to effectively avoid common risk control interceptions on platforms like OpenAI, ensuring a high success rate and strong stability for payments.
Free Application for Overleaf Professional Version for University Users#
In addition to direct subscriptions, Overleaf also provides a way for university users to obtain the Professional version for free. Many universities have established partnerships with Overleaf, allowing students and faculty to apply for free professional access through their institutional email. Here are the specific steps:
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Confirm Institutional Partnership
Visit the "Institutions" page on the Overleaf official website to check if your university is on the partnership list. Well-known universities in China, such as Tsinghua University and Peking University, often have partnerships with Overleaf. If not found, you can contact your school's library or IT department for confirmation. -
Register Using Institutional Email
Register an account on Overleaf using the edu email provided by your school, or bind your existing account to the edu email. After binding, Overleaf will automatically detect whether your institution offers free professional access. -
Submit Application
If the school does not directly provide access, you can submit an application through the "Request Institutional Access" page on the Overleaf official website. Fill in the school name, position (student/faculty), and contact information, and the Overleaf team will respond within 1-2 business days. -
Activate Access
Once the application is approved, the Professional version features will be automatically activated without any payment required. If the application is denied, consider subscribing through WildCard for a stable payment experience.
Unique Advantages of WildCard#
Compared to other virtual cards, WildCard's advantages are evident. First, it supports domestic payment methods like Alipay and WeChat, eliminating the need to purchase USDT or handle complex cryptocurrency transactions, making it easy to use. Second, WildCard's payment channels are specially optimized for high stability, effectively avoiding risks of payment failures or account restrictions. Additionally, WildCard supports subscriptions to various overseas services, including ChatGPT Plus, OpenAI API, Claude, Midjourney, etc., making it a "universal card" for domestic users' cross-border payments.
Notes#
- First Recharge: It is recommended to recharge $25 to cover pre-authorization and subscription fees to avoid payment failures due to insufficient balance.
- Network Environment: Avoid using heavily populated proxy nodes when subscribing; prioritize using home networks or dedicated IPs to reduce the risk of payment interception.
- Invitation Code Discount: Don’t forget to use the invitation code "LEIXUE" when registering for WildCard to enjoy card opening discounts.
Summary#
Whether subscribing to Overleaf Professional version through WildCard or utilizing university partnerships to obtain access for free, domestic users can easily enjoy the efficient academic writing experience that Overleaf offers. With its convenient payment methods and stable services, WildCard has become the preferred tool for domestic users subscribing to overseas software. Visit the WildCard official website now, register using the invitation code "LEIXUE," and start your Overleaf Professional version journey!