Moving to China: The Truth About Immigration, Work Visas, & Expat Life

Summary

Jessica shares her experience moving to China alone in 2018 and living and working in Chongqing for five years. She distinguishes immigrating—moving with the intention of settling permanently—from expatriating, which she describes as living abroad temporarily or keeping the option to return elsewhere.

China has foreign permanent residents, she says, but obtaining permanent residency is difficult. Many foreigners live there on work-related residence permits rather than as permanent residents.

Jessica cautions against interpreting friendly posts on Chinese social media as invitations to immigrate. Some Chinese residents welcome tourists but see migration, local jobs, public services, and the country’s stability as separate and more sensitive issues.

She also discusses hukou, China’s household-registration system. Moving between Chinese cities can affect access to public services, and lacking local registration can create difficulties for residents.

Before Deciding to Move

• Choose a city based on your needs. Shanghai is relatively international, expensive, and familiar to many foreigners. A non-tier-one city may offer a less Westernized experience but can be harder to navigate. Jessica recommends Chongqing while acknowledging that it may be challenging for newcomers.
• Clarify your reasons for going. A desire to escape current problems may not be enough to sustain you through the difficulties of relocating. Jessica recommends identifying goals you can pursue after arrival.
• Plan for family, housing, and belongings. Consider dependents, whether to rent out or sell your home, how to handle possessions, and whether a moving service is worthwhile. She says transporting pets can be especially complicated, costly, and stressful, and suggests researching the requirements carefully.
• Bring enough savings. Her estimate is at least US$3,000, while noting that a first paycheck can take four to six weeks. New arrivals may also need money for a phone, rent, and a deposit. In her experience, some rentals required a deposit plus three months’ rent upfront, though payment practices vary.

Finding Work and Getting Authorization

• Teaching is a common route for foreign workers, but Jessica also mentions opportunities in technology, buying, media, and other skilled fields. Some employers cannot sponsor foreign workers, so applicants should confirm sponsorship before accepting a job.
• She recommends Echinacities for job listings. Teaching jobs generally require a bachelor’s degree; a teaching qualification can improve prospects, particularly for better-quality positions. She praises International TEFL Academy based on her own experience.
• Be cautious of anyone requesting upfront payment to secure a job or permanent residency. Jessica says legitimate recruiters are generally paid by the employer after the worker starts.
• Her account of the work-permit process includes getting relevant degrees and other documents notarized and authenticated, completing a background check and medical exam, and having the employer apply for a work permit and invitation letter. The applicant then uses the paperwork to apply for a Z work visa through the appropriate Chinese embassy or consulate.
• After arrival, the employer typically helps arrange a residence permit. Jessica says employers had 30 days to complete this in her experience, and that renewals can involve temporarily surrendering your passport. Requirements differ by location and can change, so applicants should check current official guidance.
• A tourist visa generally does not authorize work. Jessica says someone who finds a sponsoring job while visiting may need to leave mainland China to complete the work-visa process before returning.

Settling In

• Phone: Get a Chinese phone number as soon as possible; many everyday tasks depend on having a working phone and local apps. Check whether your existing handset is unlocked and compatible before leaving.
• Apartment: Tell the person helping you find housing about non-negotiable requirements, such as a Western-style toilet or a short commute. Inspect the whole apartment—including appliances, lights, plugs, water, corners, and inside the fridge—and request cleaning or repairs before moving in. Jessica found her second apartment by visiting a neighborhood she liked and asking a local leasing office.
• Rent: Negotiate if appropriate. Jessica gives an example of bargaining down the rent and asking the landlord to add a television. She says foreigners may sometimes be quoted higher rents, and that lease terms and costs vary by city.
• Banking and money transfers: A local account may be needed for salary payments. Jessica recommends considering an internationally recognized bank, such as Bank of China, if you plan to transfer money abroad. Transfers may require payslips, tax documents, permits, passport copies, and other paperwork. She warns that third-party currency-exchange services should be researched carefully.
• Taxes: Jessica says foreign workers should confirm that their employer is handling taxes correctly. U.S. citizens still have U.S. filing obligations while abroad; she mentions the foreign earned income exclusion as something eligible taxpayers may be able to use. She advises consulting a tax professional and checking current rules.
• Driving: According to Jessica’s experience, a foreign driver’s license cannot simply be exchanged for a Chinese one; testing may be required. She recommends understanding local requirements and having a good grasp of Chinese before driving.
• Passport: Leave room for residence-permit stamps and renewals, and avoid planning travel while your passport is being held for processing. Jessica also advises checking passport-validity rules before international travel.

Work, Health, and Social Life

Jessica describes her workplaces as generally manageable but sometimes strict about being present at set times. She says appearance can be closely scrutinized, especially in schools and during early employment, and recommends presenting professionally at interviews and work.

She observed that people commonly went to work sick before COVID, often wearing masks, and says attitudes toward staying home when ill later shifted. In her experience, paid sick leave could require a doctor’s note.

For healthcare, Jessica recommends asking colleagues or local WeChat groups for provider referrals. She found her dentist and eye doctor through referrals and WeChat. She suggests writing symptoms in advance and translating them into Chinese to make appointments easier. She also recommends bringing familiar over-the-counter medicines while checking legal requirements for prescription medication before travel.

Jessica says service-based tasks are often handled through apps and can be convenient. For everyday safety, she describes gated buildings, security staff, and widespread cameras, while acknowledging that surveillance and other social differences may be uncomfortable for some newcomers.

To make friends and adjust, she recommends accepting invitations, greeting neighbors, exploring independently, joining local WeChat groups, and building relationships with coworkers and other long-term expats.

Notable Locations, Products, and Speakers

• Locations: Chongqing (Jessica’s home for five years), Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Hainan, and Hong Kong. She also mentions trips around Chongqing and the wider region.
• Services and products: WeChat, Echinacities, International TEFL Academy, Bank of China, PayPal, and Chinese mobile phone and SIM service.
• Speakers and references: Jessica (the presenter); Amelia, her colleague on the flight to Chongqing; and brief examples from Xiaohongshu users and the Netflix series Beef.

Important caveat: Jessica presents much of the guidance as personal experience. Visa, employment, tax, medical, banking, and pet-entry rules may change and vary by location, so verify current requirements with official sources and qualified professionals.