12306 ID Verification Guide for Foreigners: Fix Common Failures

DolphinUnion
Sep 18
8 min read

Everyone’s talking about Chongqing’s 8D magic—trains through buildings, stairs that go to the 10th floor… but as a local who’s lived here 30 years (and helped over 200 foreign friends plan trips in 8 years), I can tell you: the biggest trip killer isn’t the crowds or the hills—it’s 12306.

12306 is China’s official train booking app, and you need to verify your ID to buy tickets. But here’s the problem: 90% of my foreign friends fail the first time. They stare at the app, confused, and miss their trains to Dazu Rock Carvings or the Three Gorges. That’s why I made this guide—now updated with key fixes—to fix the most common verification fails, step by step. No more stress—this is how I help my friends book trains in 10 minutes. （12306 ID verification guide for foreigners）

Woman in a cafe holding a phone displaying passport details. She is wearing a denim jacket. A coffee cup sits on a wooden table. — 12306 Verification

1. Why 12306 Verification Matters for Your Chongqing Trip – 12306 ID verification guide for foreigners

Before we fix the problems, let’s talk about why this matters. If you can’t verify your ID, you can’t buy high-speed train tickets—and trains are the best way to get around Chongqing’s surroundings .

Where You’ll Need Trains: To Dazu Rock Carvings (1 hour from Chongqing), Wushan (for the Small Red Boat, 2.5 hours), or Yichang (end of the Three Gorges, 4 hours).
My Experience: Last summer, my friend from France tried to book a train to Dazu. He failed verification 3 times, missed his trip, and had to take an expensive taxi. Don’t let that happen to you!

2. Top 4 Verification Failures & How to Fix Them – 12306 ID verification guide for foreigners

These are the mistakes I see most often. Follow my updated fixes, and you’ll pass on the first try.

2.1 Blurry Passport Photo (or No Scan)

Why It Fails: 12306 needs a clear copy of your passport’s info page. Photos often have glare (from flash or lights), but scans are best—they have no reflection risk and make text crystal-clear.
My Story: My friend from Australia used a phone photo with bad glare—text was unreadable, and the app rejected it. I told him to scan the page (his hotel had a free scanner), and it worked instantly.
How to Fix:
Scan first (preferred): Use a scanner (hotel lobbies or convenience stores with Sign ‘打印’ have them) to make a digital copy—no shadows, no glare.
If you use a photo: Take it in bright, natural light (near a window, no flash!), lay the passport flat on a white table, and avoid holding it (use a stand or book to keep it steady).
Check: Can you read every number, letter, and signature? If yes, upload it.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a scanner, use your phone’s “document scan” mode (not regular photo mode)—it reduces glare and sharpens text.

2.2 Bad Handheld Passport Selfie (Critical Fix!)

Why It Fails: Many foreigners miss this—12306 requires a selfie of you holding your passport, not just a regular selfie. The app needs to see your face AND the passport’s info page (clear text) in one photo to confirm it’s really you.
Avoid This: My friend from Canada took a regular selfie (no passport) and failed. He thought “selfie” meant just his face—once he held the passport, he passed.
How to Fix:
Hold your passport in your non-dominant hand (e.g., left hand if you’re right-handed) so the info page faces the camera—make sure all text (name, passport number) is visible and not blocked by your fingers.
Position the passport next to your cheek (not too far, not too close)—both your face and the passport should be in focus.
Take the photo in front of a plain white/light gray wall—no busy backgrounds (the app gets confused by posters or furniture).
Match your passport photo: Same hair, no new glasses, no hats (unless you wore one in your passport photo). Smile slightly—no funny faces!
Trust Me: I’ve fixed this for 15+ friends. Once they include the passport in the selfie, they pass immediately.

2.3 Wrong Passport Number Entry

Why It Fails: Passport numbers have letters and numbers. It’s easy to mix up “O” (letter) and “0” (zero), or “I” (letter) and “1” (number).
Common Mistake: My friend from the UK typed “0” instead of “O”—the app said “invalid number,” and he spent 2 hours troubleshooting.
How to Fix:
Type slowly—read each character out loud (e.g., “O as in orange, not zero”) as you type.
Check twice: Compare the typed number to your passport’s scan/photo—use your finger to trace each character.
If it still fails: Copy the number from your digital scan (no typos!) and paste it into the app.
Hidden Trick: Save your passport number in your phone’s notes—add a note like “O=letter, 0=zero” to avoid mix-ups later.

2.4 Expired Passport or Visa

Why It Fails: 12306 checks if your passport and visa are valid. If either is expired (or the passport expires in less than 6 months), verification fails.
My Warning: Last year, my friend from Brazil’s visa expired 1 week before his trip. He didn’t check, failed verification, and had to rush to the consulate—stressful and expensive!
How to Fix:
Check your passport: Is the expiration date at least 6 months away? (China requires this for most tourist visas.)
Check your visa: Is it valid for the exact dates you’ll be in China? (Even 1 day over = failure.)
If expired: Renew them ASAP—don’t wait until the last minute (consulates take 1–2 weeks for renewals).
Pro Tip: Save scans of your passport and visa to your phone’s camera roll—you can check validity anytime, even without internet.

3. Step-by-Step Verification Process (Updated for Downloads) – 12306 ID verification guide for foreigners

Now that we’ve fixed the key mistakes, let’s walk through the process—including the correct way to download the app (no region changes needed!).

3.1 Download the 12306 App (No China Region Required!)

Critical Fix: You DON’T need to switch your phone’s region to “China” (for iOS) or use a Chinese app store (for Android). 12306 is available globally—here’s how to get it:
iOS (iPhone/iPad): Open the App Store → Search for “12306” (spell it exactly, no spaces) → Look for the app with the blue “12306” logo (developer: China Railway) → Download (no region change needed!).
Android: Open Google Play Store (or Huawei AppGallery) → Search for “12306” → Download the official app (blue logo) → No need to use a Chinese account—your regular Google/Huawei account works.
If You Can’t Find It: Ask your hotel staff—they’ll search for it on your phone (sometimes typos like “123 06” make it hard to find).

3.2 Set Up the App (English Language)

Open the App: When you first launch it, it may default to Chinese—but changing to English is easy:
Tap the “Me” icon (bottom right corner, looks like a person).
Scroll down to “Settings” (齿轮 icon) → Tap “Language” (语言).
Select “English” → The app will refresh in English (no more Chinese characters!).

3.3 Create an Account

Info to Enter:
Email: Use your regular email (Gmail, Outlook, etc.—no Chinese email needed).
Password: Mix letters (upper/lower case), numbers, and a symbol (e.g., “ChongqingTrain123!”)—the app rejects simple passwords.
Verify Your Email: The app will send a code to your email—enter it within 5 minutes (codes expire fast!).

3.4 Start Verification (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Go to “Me” → Tap “ID Verification” (under “Account Security”).
Step 2: Select “Foreign Passport” (not “Chinese ID”—that’s for locals).
Step 3: Upload your passport scan/clear photo (follow Section 2.1 tips—no glare!).
Step 4: Take and upload your handheld passport selfie (follow Section 2.2—face + passport both clear!).
Step 5: Enter your passport number (double-check with Section 2.3) and visa info (visa number, issue/expire dates).
Step 6: Submit and wait—verification takes 1–2 hours (sometimes 5 minutes if everything’s perfect!).

3.5 What to Do If It Still Fails

Option 1: Try again—most fails are from blurry selfies or wrong numbers. Fix the issue (e.g., rescan passport, retake selfie) and resubmit.
Option 2: Visit a train station—Take your physical passport and visa to the “Foreigner Service Window” (look for signs in English or ask staff: “Where can foreigners verify ID?”). They’ll verify you in person in 10 minutes (no app needed!).
Option 3: Ask your hotel—Nearly all Chongqing hotels (even budget ones) have staff who help foreigners with 12306. Show them your passport/visa, and they’ll do it for you (free service!).
Personal Touch: I took my friend from Thailand to Chongqing North Station last month. The staff at the Foreigner Window smiled, checked his passport, and verified him in 5 minutes—he booked his train to Wushan right away.

4. Pro Tips to Avoid Verification Headaches – 12306 ID verification guide for foreigners

These extra tips will save you time and stress—learned from helping hundreds of friends.

4.1 Verify Early (2 Week Before Your Trip)

Why: Don’t wait until the day you need to book tickets. If verification fails, you’ll have time to fix it (e.g., rescan passport, visit a station).
Avoid This: My friend from the US tried to verify at 10 PM the night before his Dazu trip. It failed, and he had to take a ¥300 taxi instead of a ¥50 train.

4.2 Save Your Verification Proof

Once Verified: Your info stays in the app for 1 year—no need to re-verify.
Tip: Take a screenshot of your verified profile (under “Me” → “ID Verification”). If the app glitches at the train station, show the screenshot to staff—they’ll let you board.

4.3 Use a Chinese SIM Card (If You Stay Long)

Why: The app sends verification codes to your phone. Chinese SIM cards (¥50 for 1 month, available at Chongqing Airport) get codes in 1 minute—international numbers sometimes take hours (or never arrive!).
How to Set Up: Ask airport staff to activate it—they’ll help you put it in your phone and test the code.

4.4 Book Tickets Right After Verification

Why: High-speed trains to popular spots (Dazu, Wushan) sell out fast—especially on weekends or holidays.
Pro Tip: Use the app’s “Reminder” function—set a time to book (e.g., 10 AM for a Saturday trip) and the app will notify you when tickets go on sale.

Final Recommendation: My Go-To Guide for 12306 & Chongqing Trips

I spent 2 months helping put together DolphinUnion’s Chongqing guide—even I use it when my foreign friends visit, because it has all the little details I can’t fit in this blog. The guide has sample scans/selfies (clear examples of what works, so you don’t guess) and a map of Chongqing’s train stations (showing exactly where the Foreigner Service Windows are—no more wandering!)—two exclusive tips you won’t find here.

Chongqing 144-hours citywalk E-guide

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Last week, a reader from Australia messaged me. He’d failed verification 2 times before finding my updated guide. He used the handheld selfie tip and passport scan, and said: “It worked in 10 minutes! I booked my train to Dazu and had the best day.” He even sent me a photo of his ticket—such a relief for him!

Chongqing An 144-Hour Adventure Through World Heritage Sites