China is a popular choice for many expats to live and work, with good reason. Most expats who find their way to China do so in the capacity of a teacher: the teaching opportunities in China are impressive in scope and financially rewarding. A moving to China checklist is vital. China is the world’s fastest growing and second largest economy. Within the next decade we can expect China to be the wealthiest nation on Earth: this alone should be all the evidence you need as to the living and working conditions here.
This moving to China checklist aims to provide a bit of an overview of what you might want to prepare before making the move over to China (and a bit of what to do after you arrive). With everything from visas to SIM cards, cost of living to Chinese apps, we will touch a few different bases in this checklist. Just bear in mind that China is an extremely developed nation (in many ways the most developed), so do not stress! Everything you could possibly need (and add some) can be found in China. So start getting excited and start packing!
Moving to China: Prior to Arrival
1. Getting a Visa
A big obvious one: you will need the correct visa before you can even consider moving to China for work. Perhaps the main point in our moving to China checklist! To work full-time in China, you will need a Z visa. We cover this process in more detail here, but as a brief overview you will need:
- Your passport along with copies
- Passport photos
- Completed visa application form
- Original authenticated criminal background check
- Authenticated copy of college or university degree certificate
- Documents provided by your employer in China
Be sure to check in advance if any other documents are required. Be sure to allow for some time in the Z visa process. Authentication is required for your criminal background check and undergraduate degree certificate (a minimum requirement for working in China). This involves sending documents to the foreign office and the Chinese consulate or embassy in your home country.
As always, insist on a legal working visa, and do not settle with employers that want you to arrive in China without a work visa. Working on anything other than a Z visa is illegal. China is like any other nation on Earth: you need a legal and legitimate visa to work.
2. Savings
No moving to China checklist is complete without this. It is probably a good idea to have a bit of savings up your sleeve before arriving to China (or in fact anywhere). You may need a bit of cash to cover things such as:
- Apartment deposit; normally this is one or two months of your rent. How much you pay in rent will depend on where you live and size of your apartment
- Plane ticket
- Day to day essentials to get you up and running
Exactly how much you need to save depends on a number of things. Where you choose to live in China will determine how much you pay in rent and on groceries. Living in Tier 1 cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Shenzhen will be very different from living elsewhere. China is generally very affordable, and this is especially true in regards to the basic essentials of life.
You should also consider whether anything in the above list is sponsored by your employer. Apartment deposits and plane tickets can be expensive, but many employers will offer remuneration for these expenses as part of their salary package. When you are applying for a job, take all of these little side benefits into consideration.
3. Learning Basic Mandarin
Some basic Mandarin goes a long way. Moving to any foreign country is a little tricky, and a bit of basic language knowledge can help.
It is highly likely that your job in China will not require you to speak Mandarin. In the case of English teachers, some employees are even told not to speak the students’ native language in order to create an English-speaking environment. Outside of the workplace however, a bit of Mandarin does help.
To get started, here are a few suggestions of things to learn:
- Directions for finding your way around town and speaking to taxi drivers etc.
- Ordering food and drink
- Shopping
- Self-introduction e.g. name, nationality etc.
And whilst learning Chinese characters can be daunting, you may find places which lack signs in English. This is particularly true in smaller local restaurants. With this in mind, you may want to learn a few basic Chinese characters so you can read things like menus. If this is a bit much, getting by with language translation apps is more than possible.
Prior to your arrival in China, there’s a good chance your Chinese level will be very low or non-existent. Don’t stress! The language translation apps on offer are more than sufficient, and honestly speaking, you can easily live in China without understanding or speaking a word of Mandarin (most expats fit into this category). Just download a Chinese dictionary app like Pleco, or translation apps like Youdao or Google translate. Easy!
4. VPN
Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and some other websites and social media are blocked in China. If you want to access them, you will need to log your IP address in a different location. You can do this via a VPN. A VPN is by no means essential, and to be honest most free VPNs will suffice. But if you just can’t kick your Instagram or Facebook addiction, it may be worth investing in a paid VPN service (these are very affordable, so don’t stress over it).
5. Unlocking your Phone for China
Next on our moving to China checklist is unlocking your phone. This may be necessary if you want to use your smartphone with a Chinese SIM card. Most phones will work in China regardless, but it worth being 100% certain on this point, so check with your local provider if your phone is unlocked for foreign country usability.
Requirements may differ slightly depending on your smartphone and or network provider. But generally speaking, you may have to get in touch with your network provider before you go to China.
If your phone cannot be unlocked (very unlikely), than just see that as a good excuse to invest in a new one after you touch down: China is the world’s phone technology leader, and the range of phones here will blow your mind. Phones in China are relatively affordable, and yes, you can set the language to English.
6. Packing for China
So what exactly should you pack? Well, this depends on you really.
If it’s your first time moving abroad, you may want to consider packing for all four seasons. China is a vast country with a varied climate, and it is worthwhile to be prepared for all types of weather.
It should go without saying that you must bring some passport photos (as well as your actual passport) as these will be used after arrival to apply for your residency permit. And be sure to bring original copies of your degree certificate, criminal background check as well as any other documents required for your residency and work permits.
Contrary to popular belief, you can literally buy ANYTHING in China. Yes, really anything. That being said, you can arrive with an empty suitcase and still be perfectly ok. China is the global standard of shopping (and the shopping apps are unlike anything you could imagine). You can (and will) order everything online. Your grocery shopping will be online. Clothes shopping will be online. Your beer and wine shopping will be online. Your cosmetics and personals shopping will be online.
China is bursting with every brand and product imaginable, and you will quickly find that most of your favourite German beers or French wines or Australian dairies are cheaper in China than in their respective countries of origins. Thank economies of scale for this.
Moving to China: After Arrival
7. Getting a Chinese SIM
Firstly, ensure your phone is unlocked for international use (or just buy a brand spanking new high-tech phone after touching down). Having a Chinese phone number is essential, as all apps will require phone number verification. Basically, forget about using roaming.
You have a choice of a few mobile operators, including: China Mobile/China Telecom/China Unicom. You can go to a store to sign up for a Chinese SIM. Staff may speak little English, so you may want to go with a Chinese speaker to help you (your employer will help with this, so don’t be overwhelmed).
You will need your passport for this process. It is really straight forward getting a SIM in China, and phone plans are affordable, varied and dependable.
8. Looking for an Apartment
Next on our moving to China checklist is apartments. China has some pretty cool choices when it comes to living, and depending on where you come from, you may experience a substantial upgrade on your current living conditions. Rent is usually very affordable, but there is some variations, especially if you live in the bigger Tier 1 cities. You do not need to settle on shared accommodation (unless you want to of course), so just be patient and do your research before settling on a place.
Most employers will cover your rental costs (yes, you read that correctly). Chinese salary packages are very attractive, and you will find that most jobs will cover your rent (this frees up your salary for some hardcore saving or spending). As mentioned earlier, you may need to have some savings ready to pay for a deposit, but even this depends on your job (many employers are happy to pay the initial deposit). Before you sign a housing contract, make sure you understand the Chinese version.
9. Banking in China
Naturally, you will need a bank account (to get paid). A must on our moving to China checklist.
Opening a bank account in China is super easy. Your employer will help during the whole short process. Remember to bring your passport to the bank.
Sending money from China back home requires a bit of paperwork (but is still straightforward). You will need to fill out forms which prove you have paid the necessary taxes in China (ask your employer). After you remit the money from the Chinese branch, the funds will hit your home account in a day or two.
10. Downloading Chinese APPs
The era of smart technology has well and truly taken China by storm. To make life that little bit easier, here are a few suggested apps you can use whilst in China:
Without it, life in China will be very difficult. Think of WhatsApp and Facebook rolled into one. When it comes to messaging, this is what the vast majority of those in China use. The app also has its own mobile payment system.
- Alipay
Owned by AliBaba, this is the other of China’s mobile payment systems alongside WeChat Pay. Shop on online Chinese retail website Tao Bao, book a taxi, book a hotel, transfer money to friends and more.
- Meituan
This is mainly used for ordering takeout food although there are many other functions too. Great for getting dinner to your door on a lazy night in.
- Didi
This is China’s answer to Uber. The ride-hailing app is available across the majority of China. A quick, safe, and relatively inexpensive way to get from A to B.
Take a look through our more detailed China app list here.
11. Salary and Taxes
Many expats who work in China are surprised at how much money they can save whilst living a great lifestyle.
As with anywhere else in the world, salaries in China vary depending on what industry you work in, as well as your level of experience and qualifications. You will be expected to pay income tax in China assuming you earn above the tax threshold. Your employer will take care of this for you.
Salaries advertised may only show the amount you earn monthly before any tax is deducted. You may also find that some employers will offer you certain benefits to help supplement your income. Flight allowances, accommodation expenses, free meals and more are commonly offered to expat employees. This can make a huge difference to your income whilst working in China.
And remember, despite working in China, you may still be required to pay tax in your home country. It is your responsibility to check you are paying the right amount and avoid any issues when you travel back home.
Check out some job openings here. Yes, the offered salaries are real…
12. Health Insurance
Because you never know when an accident, injury or illness might strike.
As a minimum, your employer in China is legally obliged to provide you with Chinese social insurance. Chinese public hospitals are actually of a high standard, and you most likely will not need private health insurance. Regardless of whether you use Chinese social insurance or private health insurance, check with your employer that you are covered in some form. Accidents, injury or illness can strike at any time. Don’t get caught out.
13. Cost of Living
As mentioned before, the cost of living in China varies from place to place.
How much you spend and save honestly depends on you: China has something for everyone, and covers all types of lifestyles. Eating at high quality restaurants in very affordable, shopping is crazy cheap, travelling is not luxury here, rent will generally be covered. Of course, China is also home to some of the wealthiest people on the planet, so if you want to splurge on $20,000 a night hotels or Gucci bags, go for it. China really is your oyster.
At the end of the day, how you budget is up to you. If you are intent on saving money during your time in China, you may want to do some research of the city you are moving to, and you may opt to choose to live in a smaller city (and when we say smaller, we mean 3-15 million people small, full of every luxury and superficiality you could possibly need). Regardless of your choice, you are almost certain to save a high portion of your salary (which cannot be said of living in most places on Earth). You will be shocked at how much money you will save here, without compromising your living standards.
14. Travelling around China
During your time in China, be sure to explore! From the metropolises of Shanghai and Beijing, to the greenery of Yunnan and Guangxi, from the ice and snow of the northeast, to the desert of the northwest. China is a vast land with plenty of intriguing places to travel. China really is one of the most beautiful and varied places on Earth.
Getting around is too easy. Train and plane tickets can be booked online. Travelling by train in China is surprisingly cheap. The high-speed rail network is particularly extensive, reaching every province of the country (China indeed has the world’s most advanced and extensive high-speed rail network).
Be sure to check out our traveling China guides here. We can say with absolute confidence, that you haven’t seen the world until you have seen China.
So that’s it! Preparing for a move to China can be an exciting experience, and moving to China is even better. Take it all in your stride and enjoy this truly unique and life-altering decision. We hope our moving to China checklist is a big help!