Living in China · Banking & mobile

Bank accounts and phone numbers

Two small errands that transform daily life in China: a local bank account and a Chinese mobile number. This page explains what to bring, where to go, and the real-name rules that apply — plus how mobile payment apps work for a foreigner.

Checked against official sources on 13 October 2026. Rules change — confirm with the issuing authority before you apply. Sources at the bottom.

At a glance

What each errand looks like

Task	Basic document	Where to go	Common extra ask
Open a bank account	Passport or foreign permanent residence ID	A branch of a commercial bank	Some branches ask for a residence permit or proof of address Summary
Get a mobile number	Passport or foreign permanent residence ID	The carrier's own service hall (Telecom, Mobile, Unicom)	Real-name registration is mandatory Verified
Set up mobile payment	Your bank card + a phone number	Inside the payment app	Binding is verified by your card issuer Verified

The basic document for both errands is your passport or foreign permanent residence ID. Extra requirements are set branch by branch, so call ahead or ask at the counter rather than assuming.

Step one

Opening a bank account

A Chinese bank card is the quiet workhorse of daily life: it pays rent, receives salary, funds transport cards and hooks into the payment apps. Opening one is a counter visit, not an online form.

What to bring

A valid passport or foreign permanent residence ID is the core document. Some branches also ask to see your residence permit, a proof-of-address document such as your lease or accommodation registration slip, and your phone number. Summary — requirements vary by bank and branch

What you get

A debit card linked to a yuan account, plus an account number for salary and transfers. Mobile banking and card activation are usually arranged at the counter before you leave; whether everything is usable the same day depends on the bank and branch. Summary — timing varies by bank and branch

Step 1

Pick a branch and ask first

Branches differ on what they accept. Ask what documents they want for a foreign customer before you travel across the city. Summary — branches differ

Step 2

Bring originals

Passport or foreign permanent residence ID, and the extra documents the branch listed. Photocopies are not a substitute for the original. Summary — the document list varies by branch

Step 3

Complete the forms and sign

You will fill in an account application and confirm your identity details at the counter. A staff member will guide you through it. Summary — the exact procedure varies by bank

Step 4

Receive your card

Many branches issue the card on the spot; some post or hand over a designated card later. Ask which applies before you leave. Summary — timing varies by branch

Step 5

Link it to your payment apps

Once the card works, add it to a payment app so you can pay by phone. See the payments section below. Summary — which apps and brands your card supports varies

Large cash withdrawals and transfers. Banks apply their own limits and may ask about the purpose of a large withdrawal or transfer, and ATMs have per-transaction and daily caps. These rules are set by each bank and by anti-money-laundering requirements, so ask your bank what applies to your account. Keep your card safe and report a loss to the bank immediately. Summary — confirm with your bank

Step two

Getting a Chinese mobile number

A local number is what makes the rest of China work smoothly — verification codes, food delivery, ride-hailing and banking all reach you on a Chinese SIM.

Real-name registration is the law. When you sign up for a phone service, the carrier must require you to show a valid identity document and must register your real identity information. For an individual foreign customer, a foreign citizen's passport is one of the valid identity documents. If you refuse to show a valid document, the carrier is not allowed to activate service for you. There is no legitimate way around this. Verified · official source

Option	How it works	Good for
Local SIM card	A Chinese number from a major carrier, activated in person at the carrier's own service hall with your passport. Real-name registration applies.	Anyone staying more than a few weeks, and anyone who needs banking and delivery apps.
Your home SIM on roaming	Keep your existing number and pay roaming charges. Useful as a backup while you get set up.	Short visits, or a stopgap during your first days.
eSIM	Some carriers offer eSIM, so no physical card is needed. Availability is not universal. Summary — ask the carrier	Phones without a spare physical SIM slot.

Prepaid or postpaid

Carriers offer both. Prepaid plans let you top up as you go; postpaid plans bill monthly and are often tied to a contract. Compare the plan's data allowance — mobile data is usually capped, so pick a plan that matches how much you use. Summary — plans differ by carrier

Practical tips

Keep your passport with you when you buy the SIM. Keep the receipt and note your number — you will need it to reset app passwords. Top-up is available at carrier outlets, apps and convenience stores. Summary

Step three

Paying by phone: Alipay and WeChat Pay

In China, people pay by scanning a code, and the two apps that dominate this are Alipay and WeChat Pay. Both now support foreign customers, including overseas bank cards. This is consumer guidance — how to pay in shops — not a way to move money you are not entitled to.

Link a card, foreign or domestic

Download the app, register with a phone number — Chinese or foreign — and bind a bank card following the on-screen steps. Both apps accept cards issued under major international brands, including Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, American Express, JCB, Diners Club and Discover. Verified · official source

What changed recently

China's central bank asked the two main payment providers to raise foreign-card binding success rates and to simplify identity verification. Per-transaction spending limits for foreign users were raised from 1,000 to 5,000 US dollars, and the annual limit from 10,000 to 50,000 US dollars. Verified · official source

If a card will not bind. Binding is verified by your own card issuer, so a failure often sits with the issuing bank rather than the app. Contact the payment product's customer service or your card issuer — that is the official route. Different apps support different card brands, limits and fee schedules, so check the app's own page and service agreement. Verified · official source Summary — limits and fees differ by product

Cash still works, and must be accepted. The renminbi is China's legal tender. Under the provisions on the acceptance of and services for renminbi cash that took effect on 1 February 2026, fee-collecting entities and business operators must respect the public's right to choose a lawful payment method: they may not refuse cash, may not ask or induce others to refuse cash, and may not adopt discriminatory measures against cash payment that harm the convenience of paying in cash — except where a law, regulation or rule requires a non-cash instrument. If you prefer cash, or need a small-amount exchange, bank branches provide cash and change services. Verified · official source

Getting set up before you arrive

It helps to have your bank card working and your phone number ready before you queue at a counter. If you arrive without either, a roaming SIM and an overseas card linked to a payment app can tide you over. Summary

Protect your accounts

Never share verification codes, and never let anyone else operate your account or bind a card for you. If someone offers to "help" you bypass identity checks, that is a red flag — there is no legitimate shortcut. Summary

Keep going

Related guides

Living in China

The hub: registering your address, first-week steps and the numbers to save.

Living overview →

Housing and healthcare

Renting a home, filing the lease, and how to see a doctor.

Housing & medical →

Culture and safety

Daily habits, common-sense safety and the rules you must not break.

Culture & safety →

Enjoyed this guide?

This site is free and open to everyone — no paywalls, no ads. If a guide saved you time or money, you're welcome to buy the webmaster a coffee. Any amount, fully voluntary.

Support this site

Sources & disclaimer

Facts on this page are linked to the official sources below, checked on 13 October 2026. Requirements, fees and timelines change — always confirm with the issuing authority. This page is for reference only — official sources prevail; always check the latest version with the relevant Chinese authority. General information, not legal advice.