Can I get a Chinese phone eSIM with a foreign passport?

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Phone availability is confirmed by Apple and Huawei. The passport row means carrier-specific public confirmation for foreign nationals—not whether eSIM exists. New-number and conversion services exist generally; passport approval still needs checking.

Already have a Chinese number? Start with its operator. For a new number, choose the carrier whose Guangzhou service hall confirms your passport, exact handset and acceptable plan terms before you visit.

What a passport holder should confirm

Apple lists a passport as store-visit identification. Carrier-specific approval for foreign applicants opening or converting a number remains unconfirmed here; ask the operator rather than relying on Chinese-ID-only instructions. Need a physical SIM instead? Read the passport SIM-card guide.

1. Call your chosen operator. Say you need 手机 eSIM, not an Apple Watch service. Give your phone’s exact model number and say you use a foreign passport.
2. Ask whether you can open a new number, convert your existing number, or both. Ask about any additional documents, plan limits and the number’s home province.
3. Get the name, address and opening hours of a carrier-owned hall that handles both phone eSIM and passport identification. An app reservation is preparation; activation remains in person.

Check your phone before choosing a plan

Generic eSIM support does not establish mainland carrier compatibility. Only the mainland iPhone variants below qualify; overseas iPhones do not. Check Settings → General → About → Model Number (tap for the A-number).

1. Huawei lists Mate 80 RS ULTIMATE DESIGN, Pura X Max series, Pura 90 Pro Max, Pura X View, Mate XT 2 ULTIMATE DESIGN and Mate 90 series. Hardware support still needs carrier approval.
2. Other Android brands and overseas variants: current mainland carrier approval is not confirmed here. Ask about the exact handset; do not buy a phone on the strength of a generic “supports eSIM” specification.
3. Unicom’s September 2026 security notice requires certified terminals for new activation. Its attached affected-device list concerns watches. Do not use that list as a phone compatibility list; confirm current phone certification with 10010.

Before you go

1. Set up your phone; transfer or back up existing data.
2. Bring your passport, eligible phone and existing SIM, plus any documents the hall confirms.
3. Keep your old number usable until the operator explains the change. Save the number and plan details; ask how replacement and cancellation work.
4. Ask staff to write down the first payment, monthly charge, calls/SMS/data allowance and roaming terms. These are questions to ask, not a fixed national tariff.

At the service hall

1. Complete the required identity verification. Confirm whether staff are opening a new number or converting your current one before approving the plan.
2. Let staff activate the carrier profile. On supported Huawei phones, the documented flow is Settings → Mobile network → SIM management → scan to add eSIM, using the QR code provided at the hall. Follow the handset-specific instructions.
3. Before leaving, switch off Wi-Fi and test data, an outgoing/incoming call and incoming SMS with staff. Huawei specifically advises checking communication and connectivity before departure.
4. As a practical extra check, request a verification code from a service you actually use. Confirm which line handles calls and data, and keep your home line available if you need its bank messages.

Deletion, a new phone and roaming

Deleting a profile is not cancelling a contract: Huawei warns that charges continue unless you close the service. Ask the operator before resetting, selling or replacing the phone. Huawei directs users to handle replacement/cancellation through the operator first; a lost handset should be reported to the carrier.

Restoring a deleted mainland iPhone profile requires a carrier-store visit. Ask about replacement before travelling; do not assume a saved QR code or automatic transfer will work.

Eligible mainland iPhones allow two eSIM profiles. Air and Duo are eSIM-only; the listed Pro models and 17e also support nano-SIM. Huawei allows two active lines: two physical SIMs, or one physical SIM plus one eSIM.

Confirm roaming and charges with your carrier. Eligible mainland iPhones can install a foreign profile only abroad, with location services enabled. Making room by deleting a mainland profile can require a store visit to restore it.

Keeping your number: Guangdong limits

Guangdong Telecom’s February 2026 notice says inter-provincial migrated users cannot use its eSIM services. To port an eSIM number into Telecom, it says to change to a physical SIM before porting. It also restricts independent applications by under-18s. Ask 10000 how this applies to your number.

For Mobile and Unicom, current foreign-passport porting and replacement details are not confirmed here. Keep the existing line active and ask both operators before starting a transfer. Watch-service restrictions in the same Telecom notice are separate from phone service.

Where to start in Guangzhou

Set the official carrier app’s location to Guangzhou. Huawei documents these routes: Mobile—search eSIM and choose a handling location; Unicom—Services → eSIM zone → eSIM phone SIM → handling/queue; Telecom—search eSIM → reservation → choose service hall. App menus may change.

Use the official service-channel links below for general store discovery. Then call 10086, 10010 or 10000 to confirm phone-eSIM, passport handling and your model at that exact hall. No named Guangzhou hall is presented here as passport-approved without current confirmation.

What about China Broadnet?

No current official Broadnet confirmation of consumer phone eSIM was found. Huawei’s current phone FAQ says Broadnet has not launched eSIM. It is not included as an available option; a wearable or data product would not prove phone support.