A session handling method and apparatus, where the method includes: initiating, by a terminal, an application (APP); determining a session type of a packet data unit (PDU) session based on the APP; and sending a first message to an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, where the first message includes the session type, and the first message is used to request to establish the PDU session of the session type. In the method, a network side can establish the PDU session of the corresponding type based on the session type of the PDU session that is sent by the terminal, in order to establish the PDU session of the correct type for the terminal.