Practical guide
China SIM card setup: bring your passport to an operator service office
Set up connectivity before a time-critical payment or ride.
The State Council’s English guide says foreigners can bring a passport or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card to service offices of China Telecom, China Mobile or China Unicom to apply for a SIM card and activate mobile service. Package choices and data allowances vary, so confirm the current service plan before purchase.
A clear next step
- Find an official China Unicom, China Telecom or China Mobile store.
- Bring your passport and confirm the SIM size your phone needs.
- Choose the current plan and complete the store’s registration and activation flow.
Sources & verification
Last verified
- Guide to Working and Living in China (2025) | State Council named major telecom operators and service-office route · passport or Foreign Permanent Resident ID requirement · SIM application and mobile-service activation context