For foreign-passport visitors and non-Chinese Hong Kong residents, distinguish entry documentation from the identity route the operator can process, then prepare for a personal counter visit.
What to have ready
Before you start
MOFCOM's 2025 guide and the Communications Administration's 2026 guidance identify passports or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards for applications at operator-owned outlets, including Telecom, Mobile and Unicom. The foreign-national guidance requires the applicant to attend with valid documents rather than sending someone with a passport. A non-Chinese Hong Kong resident holding a Mainland Travel Permit for non-Chinese nationals should confirm support for that document category with the local operator. The Chinese-national Home Return Permit workflow cannot simply be copied.
What to do, step by step
- Ask which operator-owned counter processes a passport or non-Chinese permit, stating the destination, purpose and need for SMS. Confirm the original document and any entry information needed for local checks. Asking only where SIMs are sold can lead to a reseller unable to complete the appropriate verification.
- Attend with the original passport and phone, check name spelling and document number, and complete the lawful local verification. If a webpage only reads Mainland identity cards, use the official counter instead of entering an invented card number or uploading another person's document to pass the field.
- Check the handset's required network and VoLTE or 5G compatibility and test calls, texts and data. Ask about the full tariff, recurring charges, contract, replacement, cancellation and keeping the number after departure. Save the written terms rather than relying on an advertised data amount without ongoing conditions.
- Test intended linked services separately using your own identity. Before leaving, arrange applicable roaming and payment if keeping the number. If cancelling, change important account bindings first and use the operator's official cancellation route so a later recycled number does not remain your recovery contact.
Costs, timing, and things to check
A +86 number is not proof of eligibility for banking, payment or government services, which may separately require travel documents, residence or counter checks. SIM registration and app identity verification are different assessments. Confirm the intended service before purchasing a number principally for that application.
A data eSIM may provide neither calls nor SMS. Some Hong Kong Mainland-number add-ons list particular permit documents and should not be assumed to accept every passport. Avoid pre-activated cards, borrowed identities and verification-code receiving services; use the legitimate product and identity route supported for you.
A practical example
A Canadian passport holder visiting Guangzhou asks 10010 which owned outlet verifies passports, then attends with the original and phone. Someone holding a Hong Kong ID and non-Chinese permit confirms that specific category rather than borrowing a friend's Home Return Permit.
Use an official counter with your own valid documents and separate SIM eligibility from other services.
Official information and enquiries
These are the reference and service entry points for this guide. Check current fees, eligibility, and schedules with the authority. The preparation date is not each source's official update date.