Mobile SIM card guide for foreigners or visitors to Shanghai
Q: How can I get a SIM card in China?
A: Tourists or people coming to Shanghai for the first time should apply for their Chinese SIM cards at outlets of domestic telecommunications companies.
The nation's three major state-owned telecom companies are: China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom. There are also some other big brands such as China Broadnet.
Q: What should I do when I arrive at the telecom company's outlet?
A: You should carry your passport or permanent residence permit to the telecom company's outlet.
After arriving at the outlet, you should take a number and wait for your turn.
You can consult the staff and choose a mobile communication service package according to your requirements.
The mobile communication service packages usually include different amount of data, minutes and texts.
Then the staff will ask you to fill in some forms.
After getting the SIM card, you should activate the mobile communication services at the site or later by phone or through the company's mobile app.
If you cannot speak Chinese, it's better to take a Chinese friend or person who can speak Chinese with you in case the staff at the outlet are not good at English.
Data traffic is usually limited. If your package includes a small amount of data, you can turn off the Internet when not in use.
Q: Can I apply for my Chinese SIM card before entering the country?
A: Currently, for foreigners with Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit or Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-end Talents, the local foreign experts affairs bureau has worked with China Telecom's Shanghai branch to provide services on pre-entry mobile number applications.
Details can be checked via https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/1M5Rf_4oI_iIlPZMR8SvAQ
Q: I will stay in China for just a few days. Do I have any other option rather than getting a SIM card for long-term use?
A: Now China Telecom provides short-term SIM cards for seven to 30 days for tourists and people coming to Shanghai to have easier accesses to Chinese telecommunications services.
There are English services in outlets and hotline and fully online application services.
The 7-Day card is priced at 85 yuan(US$11.8), while the 15-Day card costs 125 yuan and 30-Day Card costs 195 yuan.
For more details, you can go to https://www.shine.cn/news/metro/2403141523/
Q: Can I buy the SIM card in places such as supermarkets like I can back in the US?
A: Generally, there are no SIM cards for sale at the supermarkets. When you see SIM cards being sold at groceries or online stores, they can be fake ones.
Q: Is there any English online platform where I can buy pre-paid SIM card?
A: You can use Nihao Mobile, a Guangdong-based telecom company offering telecommunications services for foreigners in China.
Nihao Mobile provides simple operation and registration, hassle-free delivery and multiple payment options.
The website of its English version is https://www.nihaomobile.cn/en/home
Q: What should I do if I lost my cellphone?
A: You can call the telecom company to report the loss and freeze online banking services and e-payment accounts at once, such Alipay and WeChat Pay
