Relocate to China, here is the best plan for you

Hello, foreign friends! If you are interested in China or even considering moving there, you likely already have some understanding of the country. China is a nation with a rich history and rapid modernization. Its industrial system is complete, its market is vibrant, and it offers diverse career development opportunities for professionals. Overall, public security is good, and its infrastructure, including public transportation and digital payment systems, is well-developed, making daily life convenient. In terms of education, there are many international schools to choose from, and its high-end healthcare services are gradually developing. For those interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Eastern culture while seeking career advancement, China offers a unique living and development environment.

If you wish to move to China, China welcomes you. However, there are some policies and procedures you need to understand. The complexity of the process and cultural differences should not be overlooked. Here, our school provides a comprehensive guide to moving to China to help you smoothly begin your new life in China.

Moving to China: A Comprehensive Guide for New Residents.

Phase One: Pre-Movement Preparation (Planning and Application)

This stage is crucial and usually needs to be started 3-6 months in advance.

1. Determine your visa type: A visa is a permit issued by a government authority to a foreigner applying for entry, exit, or transit through that country, in accordance with its laws and regulations. Embassies and consulates of the People’s Republic of China abroad, or other overseas agencies authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are responsible for issuing entry visas to foreigners.

Your entry and residency status depends on your purpose of visiting China. The most common types are:

• Work Visa (Z Visa ➔ Work Residence Permit): Requires employment with a Chinese company and a “Notification of Work Permit for Foreigners in China.”
• Private Affairs Visa (S1/S2 Visa ➔ Family Reunion Residence Permit): For family reunification, joining relatives, etc. Proof of kinship and an invitation from a relative of Chinese nationality or holding Chinese permanent residency are required.
• Talent Visa (R Visa): For high-level and specialized talent urgently needed by China.
• Study Visa (X1/X2 Visa): Requires acceptance by a Chinese educational institution.
• Important Note: China does not offer “retirement visas” based solely on savings or investment. Long-term residency usually needs to be linked to specific reasons such as work, family, or study.

Here is a list of visa types—

2. Financial and Medical Preparations:

• Open a bank account with international transfer capabilities and prepare initial living funds (suggested to cover 3-6 months of expenses, approximately 30,000 to 80,000 RMB).
• Complete a comprehensive medical examination. There are two timing options for the examination.

Regarding physical examination: You have two options; the optimal time is within 30 days of entering China.

Option A: Medical Examination in Your Home Country

• Timing: Before departure to China.
• Process:

1. Undergo a medical examination at a designated medical institution in your home country.
2. Obtain the medical report (usually in English).
3. After bringing the report to China, it needs to be verified.

• Advantages: Can be completed in advance, faster processing after entry.
• Disadvantages: China may not recognize all foreign medical report formats; additional items may be required during verification.

Option B: Medical Examination in China (Mainstream Choice)

• Timing: After entering China, before applying for a residence permit (usually within the first week after arrival in China). • Location: “International Travel Health Care Centers” throughout China (not just any hospital). Applications can be processed in the city of entry or the city of residence.
• Process:

1. Make an appointment (appointments are required in some cities).
2. Bring the following documents: Original passport and a copy, recent passport photos (usually 3-4), a copy of your current visa page, and a “Temporary Accommodation Registration Form for Foreigners”.
3. Undergo a medical examination (usually including tests for infectious diseases, chest X-ray, blood tests, etc.).
4. Wait for the results (usually 3-7 business days).

• Advantages: The report format fully complies with Chinese requirements, requiring no secondary verification, making it the safest option.
• This is the most recommended and commonly used method.
• Consult about international medical insurance to ensure adequate coverage during the transition period before obtaining Chinese social security.

Phase Two: Key Steps After Arrival in China

1. Accommodation and Registration:

• Temporary Accommodation: Within 24 hours of arrival, you or your landlord/hotel must register your temporary accommodation with the local police station and obtain the “Temporary Accommodation Registration Form for Foreigners.” This is the core document for all subsequent procedures; make multiple copies and keep the original safe.
• Long-Term Rental/Purchase: Use a reputable agency and carefully read the contract. There are specific restrictions on foreigners purchasing property (e.g., requiring a minimum of one year of work or study in China, and limited to one self-occupied property).

1. Applying for a Long-Term Residence Permit (Completed Before Visa Expiry): Holders of Z, S1, or X1 visas must, within 30 days of entry, go to the local Public Security Bureau’s Exit-Entry Administration Bureau to apply for a residence permit for the corresponding work, private affairs, or study category, typically valid for 1-5 years.

• Steps:

1. For Workers: Your employer needs to apply for a “Foreigner’s Work Permit” card on your behalf.
2. Bring the following materials to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Public Security Bureau in your area:

• Original passport and a photocopy
• Original and a photocopy of the “Temporary Accommodation Registration Form for Foreigners”
• Foreigner’s Work Permit or proof of the reason for application, such as a school admission notice
• Medical examination report (if required)
• Completed “Application Form for Visa and Documents for Foreigners”
• A photo that meets the requirements
• Result: A new “Residence Permit” sticker will be affixed to your passport, usually valid for one year, allowing you to legally reside and enter and exit the country multiple times during this period.

3. Establish a basic living situation in China:

· Mobile phone and internet: Purchase a local SIM card (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) and get a mobile phone number as soon as possible. Almost all services in China (app registration, internet access, bank account opening) require a mobile phone number and real-name authentication. Home broadband usually needs to be registered under the landlord’s or company’s name.

• Bank Account Opening: Bring your passport, accommodation registration form, and local mobile phone number to a major bank branch (such as Bank of China, ICBC, or CCB) to open a personal RMB account, obtain a debit card, and activate online banking and mobile banking. Immediately link WeChat Pay and Alipay.
• If you haven’t had a medical examination, have one within one week.
• Applicable Situations for Medical Examination: If you hold a Z (work) or X (study) visa, or are applying for a long-term residence permit.
• How to Do It: Go to the local international travel health center for a medical examination or obtain verification of your overseas medical examination report. Obtain the “Verification Certificate of Physical Examination Record for Overseas Personnel” or a similar document.
• Social Security and Taxes: For employed individuals, the company will handle social insurance (five insurances and one fund) and personal income tax declaration for you. Understand the relevant obligations and rights.

Phase Three: Settling In and Integration (Medium- to Long-Term Living)

1. Cultural adaptation and language:

a. Language: Learning basic Chinese (Mandarin) will greatly enhance the convenience and depth of your life experience. We recommend using the HSK standard course. Sojourn Abroad will provide you with professional language learning services. You can also try apps like Duolingo and HelloChinese.

• Unspoken Rules: “Face” is very important. Avoid direct criticism or embarrassing others in public. Interpersonal communication emphasizes subtlety and harmony. Express refusal tactfully, and respect for elders and authority is basic etiquette. Table manners are important; for example, lower your glass when toasting and don’t stick chopsticks into your food. Please maintain an open and learning mindset. Ask politely when unsure; most Chinese people are happy to answer.

b. Digital Life: Be proficient in using WeChat Pay/Alipay for all daily transactions.

• Essential Apps: Maps (Baidu Maps/Gaode Maps), Translate (Tencent Translate/Baidu Translate), Food Delivery (Meituan, Ele.me), Ride-Hailing (Didi Chuxing).
• Ensure your phone can access the Chinese internet smoothly. Overseas apps (such as Google, WhatsApp, Instagram) may not work directly; you need to understand and prepare a VPN (Virtual Private Network) in advance.

c. Public Transportation: Obtain a transportation card (such as Beijing’s “Yikatong” or Shanghai’s “Public Transportation Card”), or activate a ride code directly within Alipay/WeChat.

• Bicycles/Electric Bikes: Shared bicycles can be used (Meituan, Hello).
• Driver’s License: If you hold a domestic driver’s license, consult your local vehicle management office to inquire about the possibility of exchanging it for a temporary Chinese driver’s license (usually requiring passing the written test).

2. Healthcare and Education:

• Healthcare: Find out which public hospitals in your city offer international services (with English-speaking staff) or high-end private hospitals. Keep all medical records and receipts.

If choosing a public hospital: China’s public hospitals offer high-quality and abundant resources, and registration is convenient (via WeChat/Alipay). However, large hospitals are often overcrowded, and appointments with specialists require advance booking. Foreigners can purchase international medical insurance to cover most costs, and some high-end private hospitals offer multilingual services. It is recommended to bring a translator or use translation software when seeking medical care, as the English communication skills of primary care medical staff may be limited.

• Education (if you have children): Research international schools (curriculum aligned with US/UK/IB standards, expensive) or high-quality public/private bilingual schools. Consultation and application should be done at least one year in advance. Chinese universities have relatively lenient admission requirements for international students, but medical, engineering, and other majors may have higher Chinese language requirements.

3. Social Networking:

• Join local expatriate communities (through Facebook groups, Meetup, InterNations, etc.). Making friends through WeChat groups (such as those based on interests, neighborhoods, or industries) is extremely common.
• Offline, traditional methods remain effective: attending language exchange corners, industry salons, exhibitions, or events organized by international communities or foreign chambers of commerce are shortcuts to meeting people from both China and abroad. Interest-based clubs (such as hiking, photography, and wine tasting) can naturally build deep connections.
• It’s worth noting that introductions through “middlemen” (i.e., mutual friends), or naturally extending social circles from study partners (Chinese teachers, classmates), or colleagues, are considered highly reliable and efficient networking methods by Chinese people.

Fourth Stage: Advanced Choices (Permanent Residency and Citizenship)

• Chinese Permanent Resident Identity Card (“Chinese Green Card”): The application threshold is high, typically targeting those who have worked in China long-term (e.g., four consecutive years of work with a standard salary), have significant investments, are urgently needed by the country, or are married to a Chinese citizen and have long-term family reunification. Holders enjoy convenient access to citizenship.
• Obtaining Chinese Citizenship: This is one of the most difficult citizenships to obtain in the world. It is usually only possible through marriage (with an extremely long waiting period and strict vetting) or making “outstanding contributions” (extremely rare). For the vast majority of expatriates, a long-term residency permit is a more realistic goal.

Key Challenges and Tips

• Documentation and Bureaucratic Procedures: Processes can vary, and requirements may differ by city and even individual officer. Keeping documents complete, making multiple copies, and communicating patiently are key.
• Internet: Many international websites and apps (such as Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube) are restricted in China. A reliable VPN service is necessary in advance (but use it with caution in legal gray areas).
• Mindset Adjustment: You may experience a “honeymoon period,” “frustration period,” “adjustment period,” and “adaptation period” of culture shock. Give yourself time, maintain a sense of humor, and build a support system. For socializing, initiative, sincerity, and an open mind are crucial. Understanding and respecting the long-term nature of relationships and avoiding short-sightedness will help build a solid social network.

Finally, we wish you a journey in China filled with discovery, growth, and joy! This is a rapidly changing country where new things happen every day. Stay curious, explore deeply, and you will gain an invaluable chapter in your life.