If you work, study, or travel to China regularly, this guide explains how to legally get a Chinese mobile number with your passport, where to go, how to choose a plan, and how to keep the number at low cost after you leave (so you can still receive verification codes or reuse it later).
Policy check: SIM and number-retention rules vary by city and carrier, and they change. Prefer in-store advice plus official hotlines 10086 / 10010 / 10000. Last verified: September 2026.
1. Can foreigners get a China SIM card?#
Yes. Passport holders can get a Chinese SIM, but you must complete real-name registration and face verification, usually in person at an official carrier channel (airport counter or carrier-owned store).
China requires real-name registration for all SIMs. Foreigners register with a passport as the ID document.
2. What to bring#
- Original passport (required; staff will scan it)
- Valid visa / residence permit (often checked; bring it)
- In person (face verification; no proxies)
- Unlocked phone that supports China 4G/5G bands
- China address / contact details (some stores ask during registration)
Small agents often cannot process passports and will send you to a main/carrier-owned store. Airport counters or large city flagship stores are the safest choice.
3. Where to get a SIM in 2026 (foreigner-friendly order)#
1) Airport carrier counters (same day, most convenient)#
Major airports such as Beijing Capital/Daxing, Shanghai Pudong/Hongqiao, and Guangzhou Baiyun have China Mobile, Unicom, and Telecom counters.
Pros: Mature process for foreigners, same-day activation.
Cons: Fewer plan options; prices can be higher than downtown.
2) Carrier-owned city stores (more plans; ask about retention)#
Use carrier-owned stores of China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom—not small agents.
Pros: Full plan menu; better for asking about number retention; easier for follow-up.
Cons: You need the address; small branches may be weak on passport flow.
3) Online pre-register + pick up in store/airport (some carriers)#
Some carriers have offered online pre-registration for foreigners with in-person pickup (policies change—check official sites/hotlines).
Fully remote signup is usually not possible for foreigners (passport + face check must be in person).
2026 change: From 1 August 2026, China Mobile limited internet SIM sales to its official app and website; third-party platforms no longer sell Mobile SIMs. Foreigners should still prefer offline official channels.
4. Which carrier?#
| Carrier | Foreigner friendliness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| China Unicom | ★★★★☆ | Relatively mature passport flow; some cities support pre-registration; many stores |
| China Mobile | ★★★★☆ | Widest coverage, many airport counters; online channels tightened from Aug 2026 |
| China Telecom | ★★★☆☆ | Available, but some small stores struggle with passports—use a main store |
Prefer Unicom or Mobile at an airport counter or a large city carrier-owned store.
5. Choosing a plan (daily use + future retention)#
Short stay (travel/business, 1–4 weeks)#
Choose a prepaid tourist plan (data + limited voice), no contract. Typical cost: tens to about RMB 100–200 depending on data.
Medium/long stay (study/work, 3+ months)#
Choose a monthly plan (postpaid or prepaid monthly pack). Ask about foreigner plans or no-contract monthly options. Keep receipts/e-bills for later retention requests.
If you may keep the number later#
- Prefer no long contract (avoid early-termination fees).
- Ask whether the plan can later switch to stop-service retention or a minimum monthly plan.
- Avoid stacking add-ons (video packs, memberships) that keep billing during retention.
6. What is number retention, and how do foreigners do it?#
Number retention means keeping ownership of the number while you are away, so you can reuse it or still receive some SMS codes.
Common options#
1) Stop-service retention (recommended)#
- Voice/data paused; number kept.
- Fee: often about RMB 5/month (varies by city).
- How: in person with passport at a store, or via official hotline (foreigners usually need the store).
- Limit: you may not receive all SMS while stopped—test first.
2) Minimum monthly plan#
- Service stays on at the cheapest monthly tier (often about RMB 6–20/month).
- Pros: fuller SMS reliability.
- Cons: usually costs more than stop-service retention.
Examples reported by users: Shanghai Unicom retention around RMB 6/month; some Mobile users on roughly RMB 18–20 minimum plans.
Retention steps for foreigners#
- Confirm eligibility: ask hotline/store if passport users can do stop-service retention.
- Clear arrears: unpaid balances block the process.
- Apply in person: passport at a carrier-owned store; confirm monthly fee and max period (often 1–3 years locally).
- Test SMS: before stopping, receive codes from bank, WeChat, Alipay, etc.
- Record restore steps: ask whether restore requires in-person visit or can be online.
7. Important notes while retaining#
- Pay on time—missed retention/minimum fees can lead to cancellation.
- SMS compatibility—stop-service ≠ all codes still arrive.
- Restore—often needs you + passport in store; fees may apply.
- ID multi-SIM limits—one passport may have a cap (e.g. up to 5 numbers) within a carrier group.
- Before departure—list which bank/payment/social accounts are bound to the number.
8. FAQ#
Q1. Passport only, no Chinese ID—can I get a SIM?#
Yes, with original passport at an official store or airport counter that supports passport real-name registration.
Q2. A small store says passport SIMs are impossible?#
Go to a carrier-owned main store or airport counter. Agents often lack system access or training.
Q3. After stop-service retention, can I still get WeChat/Alipay codes?#
Not guaranteed. Test critical apps before you stop the line.
Q4. I already left China—can I still set up retention?#
Usually you must apply in person with passport. Do it before departure if possible; after leaving, hotline success varies by carrier.
Q5. How long can I retain?#
Often 1–3 years, per local policy. Unrestored numbers may be canceled.
Q6. Is eSIM usable for foreigners?#
Some carriers pilot eSIM, but passport real-name flow is harder. Safest path remains physical SIM + in-person passport registration.
9. Common mistakes#
- ❌ Using a tiny agent → go airport/main store.
- ❌ Stacking add-ons → they keep billing during retention.
- ❌ Stopping the line immediately after activation → wait 1–2 weeks of normal use.
- ❌ Assuming all SMS still work when stopped → test first.
- ❌ Leaving with unpaid bills → risk of number reclaim / future signup issues.
10. Pre-departure checklist#
- Confirm no contract (or know the termination fee).
- Confirm passport users can do stop-service retention.
- Clear all balances.
- Test WeChat, Alipay, bank, email codes on the number.
- Complete retention in store; note fee, max period, restore method.
- Backup which accounts use the number.
- Calendar reminder to check monthly retention billing.
11. Alternatives if retention is not available#
- Keep a minimum monthly plan (more reliable SMS).
- Third-party virtual number / SMS forwarding (privacy and compliance risks).
- Dual-SIM: keep one China number on retention; use home number + roaming/eSIM day to day.
12. Official contacts#
- China Mobile: 10086 (in China), www.10086.cn
- China Unicom: 10010, www.10010.com
- China Telecom: 10000, www.189.cn
Ask for “foreigner passport stop-service number retention,” or visit a store.
13. Further reading#
- 10 Essential Apps for Self-Guided Travel in China
- Complete Guide to Binding Credit Cards to Alipay
- Complete Guide to Long-term Residence in China for Foreigners
- Practical Tips and Emergency Handbook
Important: Policies change—especially after China Mobile’s August 2026 online-channel tightening. For foreigners, carrier-owned store + original passport remains the most reliable path.
Last Updated: September 2026 | This guide is continuously updated