Noted and Thanks. I will give them a call to confirm.
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Traveling to China
- Thread starter asif iqbal
- Start date
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broadsword
Brigadier
In China now.
I set up Alipay before arriving, working well for purchases, 3% charge for merchandise above RMB200 I think.
Astrill vpn works, have their 30 day option
I think better to get a local data and phone package sim (CAD70 for 50gb data, 1 mo, some local minutes), rather than esim (eg airalo), since useful to have number locally specially for Didi.
I set up Alipay before arriving, working well for purchases, 3% charge for merchandise above RMB200 I think.
Astrill vpn works, have their 30 day option
I think better to get a local data and phone package sim (CAD70 for 50gb data, 1 mo, some local minutes), rather than esim (eg airalo), since useful to have number locally specially for Didi.
Do you mind if I ask where you bought the local sim from, was there a booth at the airport when you landed? Did you have to give them any ID to purchase it? I'm going in a few months and I'm wondering how easy it is to buy a local sim since I want a local phone number while I'm there.
There is a booth at the airport but it will be more expensive. You can try to go to China Mobile stores instead. You need a passport to register
I think you need to provide verifiable personal information to obtain any China Local sim card. Just saying in case you wanted to stay anonymous.
Can you please verify if you are able to access US or any foreign online banking sites to transfer money to China bank accounts within China without using a VPN. Thanks,
On Moving to China for mid-term duration.
1. Is it advisable to get a unionpay credit card or debit card in addition to own MC/VISA? Perhaps it may help in case of large expense or will wechat pay/alipay be sufficient? I think there may be monthly/yearly amount limit for wechat or alipay or do these limit apply only for overseas non-China transaction?
2. Can somebody advise if it is better to get UnionPay card locally or prior to move or better to apply after arrival and once a China bank account can be opened? It appears there is a charge for topping a foreign Issues Unionpay card. But question is will a newly arrive person be eligible for UnionPay card in China.
3. I do plan to open a China bank account but I am not sure if I can be eligible for Unionpay card without banking history in China?
1. Is it advisable to get a unionpay credit card or debit card in addition to own MC/VISA? Perhaps it may help in case of large expense or will wechat pay/alipay be sufficient? I think there may be monthly/yearly amount limit for wechat or alipay or do these limit apply only for overseas non-China transaction?
2. Can somebody advise if it is better to get UnionPay card locally or prior to move or better to apply after arrival and once a China bank account can be opened? It appears there is a charge for topping a foreign Issues Unionpay card. But question is will a newly arrive person be eligible for UnionPay card in China.
3. I do plan to open a China bank account but I am not sure if I can be eligible for Unionpay card without banking history in China?
Do you have a PRC ID card (SFZ)? Opening Chinese bank accounts have gotten harder compared to the past due to crackdown on fraud, they have more requirements from you now. Your best bet is to try non-state owned banks in China, i.e., big private commercial banks.
I will apply for PRC ID once I arrive. Let's assume I will have one. I am leaning on getting a local UnionPay Debit card unless it is very hard. Not sure why it can be difficult but we never know.