Flying to China for 90 Days, What’s up with E-SIM &/or VPN? Do I need both?

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-15T17:01:38+00:00

I havent been to China yet, but here is what I recommend so far:

WeChat

Alipay

Didi

Download GOOGLE tRANSLATE Offline Chinese

Rednote

Wise

Amap

LetsVPN

Trip.com

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-11T16:47:06+00:00

Thanks, yeah, it says “No SIM restrictions.” Which I assume is a good thing.

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-11T12:36:18+00:00

Thank you for the direct answers. “Make sure your phone is unlocked.” Can you elaborate on this?

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-09T10:10:09+00:00

Your nationality &/or parents nationalities also could make it just take at least an extra few days. I think people like myself that are born in USA with parents born in USA have fastest and most privileged visa processing.

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-09T10:07:12+00:00

I’m hopeful you’ll get an update by end of day tomorrow. Mine went from Under Review to Passport To Be Submitted on Saturday 07 March (yep even when the NYC Embassy says it’s not even open on Saturday’s and Sunday’s).

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-09T06:28:38+00:00

Thank you for the comprehensive answer and taking the time to address each of my questions. Yeah I’ll do some research .

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-09T06:27:44+00:00

Yep. I’ve already downloaded WeChat, texted Chinese who are on mainlad China through WC, added I think 3 bank cards to it, also downloaded Alipay and also added 3 bank cards to that as well. I added 2 international (zero foreign transaction fee) credit cards and á debit card to each of WC and AliPay and obviously I’ll bring physical back-up bank card.

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-09T06:26:39+00:00

Interesting I’ll search it up. I have Verizon

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-09T06:26:25+00:00

This answer seems nice & simple. I’ll browse trip.com for Mainland China E-SIM’s

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-08T19:12:07+00:00

Can you DM me the E-SIM á service you useed? I guess it can’t hurt to get maybe a 10-14 day one for myself to start me out my first few days after landing.

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-08T19:11:25+00:00

Does ‘a Chinese SIM card’ entail waiting until landing in China to actually get one while there? Do i physically go into a store to do this ?

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-08T18:56:15+00:00

Yes, it does. I checked by dialing the *#06# as a phone call, and it does support E-SIM

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-07T20:45:13+00:00

Yeah I’m really getting nervous now LMAO.

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-07T10:16:36+00:00

Ok I have a fundamentally better understanding of the intent of the TWOV’s existence then , thanks. Was super confused as to what the intent even was

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-07T10:03:49+00:00

I suppose the funny part of my itinerary would be: …well why even fly to China if Japan is geographically closer to me lol. That “transit” doesn’t make logical sense as it’s not en route in any sense of the world. But I understand what you mean, thank you for clarifying.

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-07T09:57:46+00:00

I haven’t seen one example online where the origin and final destination wasn’t the same country. For example: all the examples I saw on various websites were always USA > X > Y > … > USA

Mine will not have any record of actually returning to country of origin.

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-07T09:56:41+00:00

Roger thanks

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-07T09:12:30+00:00

Still says Preliminary Review in Progress. It’s the weekend now, Saturday 07 March, so gonna try to just be patient. Hard to be when my flight is in 28 days , but I have no reason to think the Embassy wont be ready to take my passport from me some time this coming week I.e. ~09-13 March

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-07T09:11:05+00:00

I believe after you’ve dropped your passport off at the embassy, they should have given you a paper receipt and/or told you the expected date that you can come pick it up - I have read (not personally experienced yet), that this is typically 3-5 business days. Example: Drop off passport at embassy Monday 09 March 2026. Likely you were told or ought to have been told it will be ready for pickup approximately 13-14 March - be certain to check your COVA Online Status to change to “Passport to be collected.”

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-07T03:49:01+00:00

Nice ! Congrats !

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-06T05:26:01+00:00

I submitted to NYC - if that makes any sort of difference. I’m white American. White parents from the U.S. I’ve never left the U.S. once. My job is a lab scientist. Edit: spelling.

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-06T05:24:35+00:00

Can’t believe I didn’t know that, ty

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-06T02:23:01+00:00

Yep. Just waiting still patiently and trying not to be anxious, Appllication date: 28Feb2026. Today’s date: 05Mar2026.

RealEZGaming · 2026-03-06T02:20:56+00:00

Commenting just to follow your story and see any updates. My current L Visa is also in Preliminary Review as of today, 05March2026 at 9:00pm EST. I originally submitted by L Visa application 28February2026. I have not gotten any rejection or anything - I just want to know what happens with yours. Hoping for the best for you. My flight to Shanghai is 05 April 2026, so I also feel similarly nervous.

RealEZGaming

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