China, Plainly

Practical

SIM Cards, Bank Accounts and Permits

2026-11-01 · 4 min read

Checked 1 November 2026. This is a summary of official and provider documentation, not the official text. Requirements vary by city, bank and carrier, and change over time. If anything here differs from an official source, the official source prevails. Confirm with the provider or the local exit-entry administration before you rely on this summary.

Several everyday tasks in China involve an identity check. The documents are usually the same — your passport, and sometimes a residence permit or proof of address — but the process differs by provider. This guide covers the four that foreign visitors ask about most.

Accommodation registration

This is the first registration most visitors meet. Hotels register foreign guests automatically. If you stay in a private home, you or your host must register with the local public security organ within 24 hours of arrival.

The full process, including the online pilot in seven regions, is covered in the accommodation registration guide. Do this first; it is the basis for several other procedures.

SIM cards

In practice, a mobile number in China is registered against an identity document. You buy a SIM card at an official carrier store and present your passport; the number is registered to you. The main carriers are China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom.

Practical points:

  • Go to an official carrier store rather than an unofficial reseller. Staff are used to passport registration.
  • Bring the passport you used to enter China.
  • Ask about tourist or short-term plans; availability varies by city and carrier.
  • Check whether the plan includes data and whether it can be topped up easily.
  • Keep the registration receipt and the SIM card packaging.

A Chinese number is useful for local calls, delivery and some app registrations. Many visitor essentials work without one, but a local number makes life easier if you are staying for more than a short trip.

Bank accounts

Opening a Chinese bank account involves identity verification and, depending on the bank and branch, additional documents such as a residence permit, proof of address, or proof of purpose.

Requirements vary. Ask the branch before you queue, and bring more documents than you think you need. A passport, visa or entry record, residence permit if you have one, and proof of address are a reasonable starting set.

Do not assume that a bank account is required for a short visit. Mobile wallets linked to an international card cover most visitor spending.

Payment apps

Alipay and WeChat Pay require identity verification before you can use their payment functions. For foreign visitors this normally means registering with a mobile number and verifying with a passport.

The verification flow changes from time to time. Follow the in-app instructions and use the official help pages if a step fails. Do not send passport images to anyone who offers to "help" outside the app.

Residence permits and stay permits

Short visa-free visits do not require a residence permit. If you need to stay longer, the official guidance distinguishes between a stay permit and a residence permit.

  • If you need to stay more than 30 days after visa-free entry for appropriate reasons, apply for a stay permit at the exit-entry administration of the local public security authority.
  • For long-term residence, a residence permit is the normal document. The official policy interpretation defines "long term" as residing in China for more than 180 days.

Applications are made at the exit-entry administration in the city where you live. Bring your passport, the relevant application form, photographs and supporting documents. Local requirements and processing times vary, so check with the local office first.

A residence permit also simplifies some everyday processes, including accommodation registration when you return to your habitual residence during the permit's validity.

A document checklist

Keep these together, in paper and in a secure digital copy:

  • Passport and entry stamp or record.
  • Visa, stay permit or residence permit, if you have one.
  • Accommodation registration record.
  • Local phone number and carrier receipt.
  • Address in Chinese, with the host's or hotel's contact details.

Carry your passport when you travel between cities. Hotels, carriers, banks and some attractions will ask for it.

Official sources

Requirements differ by city, bank and carrier and are updated regularly. Confirm with the official source or the provider before relying on this summary.

Details change. Confirm current prices, opening hours and entry rules before you rely on them.