Daily Life Services：SIM card, Bank card, Mobile payment, Exchange of foreign currencies , Transportation
- A GUIDE TO WORKING AND LIVING IN CHINA AS BUSINESS EXPATRIATES
I. SIM card
( I ) Foreigners can bring your passports or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards to the service offices of telecom operators such as China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Broadnet, to apply for a SIM card and activate mobile communication services in China. (II) The mobile communication service plans usually include call time and data. Different operators will provide different service plans according to customers' needs, and users can choose the appropriate one. Note: The plans often offer a limited amount of data. You can disable internet access when not using internet services if the data offered is little. Or, you are suggested to consult the telecom operator for an appropriate data plan if you need to use a large amount of data.
II. Bank card
( I ) Foreigners can bring yo r passports or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards, and mobile phone numbers in China to the business offices of commercial banks to apply for a bank card (please consult the customer manager of the business office for specific requirements).
(II) Foreigners shall fill in the account opening application form before applying for a bank card.
(III) After receiving the bank card, foreigners shall verify or modify the password on the ATM in time. It is recommended to download the mobile banking APP of the corresponding bank when applying for a bank card.
(IV) Foreigners shall keep the bank cards secure, to avoid loss or unauthorized use by others or criminals. In case of card loss, please report it to the corresponding bank in time.
III. Mobile payment
(I) Foreigners can download and install WeChat or Alipay APPs and follow the instructions to input foreign or Chinese mobile phone numbers for account registration.
(II) Foreigners can bind the APP with international bank cards with the Mastercard, Visa, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover logos or Chinese bank cards with the logo of UnionPay.
(III) Foreigners can scan the collection QR code or show the payment QR code when making payments. Notes for binding international bank cards:
1. When binding an international bank card to Alipay or WeChat, it is necessary to obtain authorization from the foreign issuing bank. However, some issuing banks may reject the binding request due to their system's inability to recognize the connection information. In such cases, it is advisable to contact the issuing bank's customer service center or consider using a Chinese bank card instead.
2. When using Alipay or WeChat for QR code payments through the bound international bank card, users are not required to pay an additional service fee if the transaction amount does not exceed RMB200; or, users need to pay a service fee at 3% of the transaction amount if the amount exceeds RMB200.
3 . Alipay and WeChat have set transaction limits for bound international bank cards, with an annual limit of USD50,000 and a single transaction limit of USD5,000. It is recommended that users who have bound international bank cards to the APPs consider your specific use cases before using mobile payment.
(IV) Users of AlipayHK, Wechatpay HK (HKSAR), mPay (Macao SAR), Kakao Pay (Republic of Korea), Touch'n Go eWallet (Malaysia), HiPay (Mongolia), Changi Pay (Singapore), OCBC (Singapore), Naver Pay (Republic of Korea), Toss Pay (Republic of Korea), and TrueMoney (Thailand) can make QR code payments through these e-wallets in the Chinese mainland.
IV. Exchange of foreign currencies
(I) Overseas visitors to China can exchange foreign currencies for RMB cash in advance in relevant countries or regions before bringing it into China (each visitor is allowed to take up to RMB20,000 in cash in or out of the country).
(II) Overseas visitors to China can exchange foreign currencies for RMB cash at commercial bank branches, money changers, and self-service currency exchange machines at international airports, land ports, ports, and other entry ports, or withdraw RMB cash using international bank cards at ATMs.
V. Transportation
(I) Train.
■ Ticket purchase
1. Using identification documents. Foreign travelers can use the following valid identification documents when purchasing tickets or paying for the extended trip at the railway station's ticket office and ticket agents, or on trains:
(1) Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card;
(2) Passport;
(3) Foreigner's exit-entry permit;
(4) Seafarer's Certificate;
(5) Receipt of acceptance of a visa application issued by the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organs of China;
(6) Passport loss report certificate;
(7) Temporary international travel document issued by embassies and consulates in China (with valid visas or stay certificates issued by the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organs of China attached). Foreign travelers can use your Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards and passports to purchase tickets through the 12306 website, 12306 APP, or booking hotline. Foreign travelers can also use your Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards to purchase tickets at the selfservice machines.
2. Identity verification. To ensure safe and orderly passenger transport, China's railway operator implements real-name ticketing according to relevant regulations. Foreign travelers must complete identity verification before purchasing tickets.
(1) You can log in to the 12306 website or APP to fill in your name, nationality, ID number, and other information following the instructions. The system will automatically complete identity verification. Or, you can upload a photo of the passport information page for manual verification.
(2) You can also take valid passports to the ticket office at the railway station for identity verification.
3. Ticket purchase. After the identity verification, foreign travelers can purchase tickets.
(1) You can purchase tickets online through the 12306 website or APP and pay with Alipay, WeChat, or UnionPay bank cards.
(2) You can also purchase tickets at the ticket office at the railway station and pay in cash or by Alipay, WeChat, or UnionPay bank cards. Some railway stations also have self-service machines for ticket purchase.
■ Ticket change Foreign travelers can change your tickets at the 12306 website and APP, or the ticket office at the railway station.
■ Ticket refund Foreign travelers can cancel your tickets at the 12306 website and APP, or the ticket office at the railway station. Service fees may be incurred depending on the time of cancellation.
■ Railway station entry/exit and train boarding Foreign travelers can enter and exit the railway station through automatic or manual ticket check gates with the original valid identification documents used when buying tickets, and cooperate to complete ticket verification on the way. For details of relevant rules, please visit the 12306 website or APP, or call China Railway customer service hotline (12306) for consultation. 12306 website address: https:// www.12306.cn/en/index.html
(II) Airplane.
Foreign travelers can book tickets online on the airline's official APP and WeChat mini program, or other ticketing platforms.
■ Ticket purchase
(1)You can buy tickets on the airline's official APP and WeChat mini program and pay with Alipay, WeChat, or UnionPay bank cards.
(2)You can also buy tickets at the airport and pay in cash or by WeChat, Alipay, or bank cards following the regulations of the airline.
■ Ticket change and refund Foreign travelers can change or refund your tickets through the ticketing platform or at the airport. Fees may be incurred, which is subject to the regulations of the airline.
(III) Metro.
A total of 55 cities in China have metro lines. Foreign travelers can apply for metro passes at the metro station or use the Alipay APP to take the metro.
1. Foreign travelers can buy singlejourney tickets at the ticket office or selfservice machines at the metro station. Frequent travelers can apply for metro passes at the ticket office with your passports. You can make payments in cash or by WeChat or Alipay.
2. Foreign travelers can open the Alipay APP on your mobile phones, click on "Transport", and select "City". After completing identity verification, you will obtain a QR code for the metro pass. You can enter and exit the metro station by having the QR code scanned.
(IV) Bus.
Foreign travelers can pay in cash or by bus cards or the Alipay APP to take the bus.
1. Foreign travelers can pay in cash (RMB) to take buses. Buses usually do not provide change, so travelers need to prepare small change in advance.
2. Foreign travelers can take your passports to the service outlets of the bus companies to buy bus cards. Payment for the cards can be made in cash or by WeChat or Alipay. 3. Foreign travelers need to open the Alipay APP, click on "Transport", and select "City". After completing identity verification, you will obtain a QR code for public travel. You need to have the QR code scanned when getting on and off the bus.
(V) Online ride-hailing services.
Foreign travelers can use Alipay or WeChat to book online ride-hailing services.
1. Foreign travelers can open the Alipay APP, click on "Transport", select "Taxi", and enter both the pickup location and the destination to book a ride-hailing service.
2. Foreign travelers can open the WeChat APP, click on "Me", select "Services", scroll down and click on "Mobility" or "Ride Hailing", and enter both the pickup location and the destination to book a ride-hailing service.
3. Download Didi-Greater China APP, which supports foreigners to use foreign mobile phone numbers and international credit cards to register, and book online ride-hailing services once registered. Open Didi-Greater China APP, confirm the pickup location and the destination, select the preferred services(Express, Taxi, Premier, Luxe), and book a ridehailing service.
(VI) Car leasing services.
Foreign travelers can rent cars at international airports and downtown service outlets. You can also use car leasing APPs or search for "mini programs for car leasing" on Alipay or WeChat. Once registered , you can make a reservation for car leasing.
1. Foreign travelers who are going to rent cars need to bring your passports or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards, valid Chinese driver's licenses, and international or domestic credit cards. Note: Foreign travelers renting a car for the first time need to have your identity document information verified at least one working day in advance.
2. Foreign travelers applying for Chinese driver's licenses must take your passports, overseas driver's licenses with a Chinese translation, recent oneinch half-length, bareheaded, full-faced color photos against white background, and other necessary documents to public security traffic management service halls to apply for Provisional Driving Permits for compact cars. Foreigners who enter China for a short-term stay can apply for Provisional Driving Permits with a validity period of 3 months. For those who intend to stay longer than 3 months, the validity period can be extended to a maximum of one year. The permits can be used whenever the holders reenter China during the validity period without the need for reapplication. Note: China has signed agreements for mutual recognition and exchange of driver's licenses with France, Serbia, Belgium, and the United Arab Emirates. This allows individuals holding driver's licenses from the aforementioned countries to drive in China or obtain Chinese driver's licenses without taking a test.
VI. Accommodation
Foreign travelers can make hotel reservations online through the Trip.com APP or via telephone or other means.
(I) Foreign travelers who are going to stay in hotels are required to present your passports, Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards, and other valid identification documents for registration at the hotel reception.
(II) The available payment methods at the hotel include cash (RMB), bank card, Alipay, and WeChat. If foreign travelers wish to pay with bank cards, you need to inquire in advance if Mastercard, Visa, or other international bank cards are accepted. Some hotels accept such payment methods as Apple Pay and PayPal; foreign travelers need to inquire in advance before making a payment.
Contents:
Notes
Daily Life Services
I. SIM card
II. Bank card
III. Mobile payment
IV. Exchange of foreign currencies
V. Transportation
VI. Accommodation
Services for Stay and Residence in China
VII. Visa extension
VIII. Residence permit
Relevant Services for Work in China
IX. Work permit
X. Social insurance
XI. Payment of individual income tax