What you need to know

Buy the SIM card at a shop that the operator owns, and bring your passport. The three operators are China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom.

What to bring

A passport or a foreigner's permanent residence ID card. The shop uses it to register the card in your name.

Choosing a plan

Plans usually include call time and mobile data, and each operator sells several. Data is normally limited. If your plan has little data, turn mobile data off when you do not need it. If you need a lot, ask the operator which plan fits.

Before you go

The source gives no prices and no plan names, so this guide gives none either. Ask the shop for current plans, and ask whether the card works for your phone model.

The source is listed below with the date it was opened.

Practical facts

Documents to bring

  • Passport or foreigner's permanent residence ID card original Shown at the shop[1]

Steps

  1. Go to a shop owned by China Telecom, China Mobile or China Unicom.[1]
  2. Bring your passport or foreigner's permanent residence ID card and ask for a mobile SIM card.[1]
  3. Choose a plan. Plans usually bundle call time and data, and operators offer different plans for different needs.[1]
  4. If your plan includes little data, switch off mobile data when you do not need it. If you use a lot, ask the operator for a larger data plan.[1]

Official sources

  1. Ministry of Commerce with the National Immigration Administration and other agencies: 外国商务人士在华工作生活指引（2025年版） (Guide to working and living in China for foreign business people, 2025 edition) (www.mofcom.gov.cn/tjsh/art/2025/art_40eb0a9f2afd4b6cb4cbecfda797e0cc.html) · accessed 10/21/2026