How To Move To China

As a modern financial giant with deep traditional foundation, the diversity of Chinese economy, culture and geography makes it a fascinating place. It has complex language, many unwritten social rules and is famous for its cultural impact. But how to move to China?

The most important first step in the relocation process is to organize your documents. Choosing the right visa depends on your length of stay and whether you plan to work.

Vaccinations and visas should be your top priority in moving to China. DPT, polio, MMR, and hepatitis A are all vaccines that must be vaccinated in China, and you also need to have a comprehensive physical examination for some visa types.

Before packing, please check the duty-free quota of the customs carefully. You need to apply for moving your household goods in written form. Whether you move with your family or with your pet, it is necessary to have the correct certificate. Bring with you official documents proving your relationships, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate, as well as official animal health and immunity certificate.

Visas and work permits

If you're not sure what kind of Chinese visa you need or how to get it, here's the part for you. The type of Chinese visa depends not only on what you plan to do but also on how long you plan to stay in China and the number of times you want to leave and return (single, two or more entry visas).

Once you decide which letter and number combination visa is suitable for your needs, the application trip will follow. Some hurdles are expected to be skipped: when applying for a visa, you need a health certificate and employment permit from the Chinese authorities, as well as the usual application forms and official documents.

Apply for a Chinese visa for about one month before you plan to travel. It takes four to ten days to apply for the visa, which is valid for one to three months.

However, the journey does not end here alone. Once you land in China, be prepared to go to the local police station and Public Security Bureau for inspection, and don't forget to bring the translator.

Housing

Which do you prefer: traditional residence or a luxury villa with first-class facilities? What about your wallet? What can you afford? Decide the budget and enter the Chinese real estate market with fierce competition.

In order to find what you are looking for, it is best to start looking at least two months before the check-in date. Although short-term rents exist, these are usually serviced apartments with a premium rate.

The average rent varies greatly depending on the type of accommodation you live in and the distance from the city centre. A one bedroom apartment in Beijing or Shanghai will cost you about 7500 yuan ($1100) in Beijing or Shanghai and 3500 yuan ($500) in Guangzhou.

Rental fees do not include deposits, utilities, or commissions if you use a real estate agent. If you want to find a furnished home in China, you can pay 10% to 20% more. Although you may want to reduce costs and contact the landlord directly instead of using a real estate agent, remember that all contracts are in Chinese.

If you want to buy rather than rent, you need to prove that you have lived in China for more than a year and intend to live where you bought it. Remember, in China, "buy" is actually a 70 year lease, and if the area needs to be developed, the government has the right to cancel your lease.

Banks and Taxes

Although it's relatively easy to open an account, it's a headache to deal with tax, especially when you're self-employed or run your own business. It depends not only on your income, but also on your time in China. The tax rate in China is between 3% and 45%, depending on your income, but the non taxable amount of foreigners is indeed higher than that of Chinese citizens.

Work

Social etiquette is the key to working in China. It may seem trite to write thank-you letters and call people by their full names after an interview, but in China's business culture, rank and seniority dominate the workplace.

Finding a job in China often depends on the people you know. In this guide, we will provide you with the right way to find a job and the unusual content you need to include in your Chinese resume.

Whether you are in a rural area or a business center like Shanghai, the salary of different industries is very different. If you decide to change jobs, remember that while social security payments can technically be transferred between jobs and locations, there is no centralized system to facilitate this.