China has been attracting people from all over the world, so it’s not surprising some consider moving there. The country is famous for transforming itself from a developing area with millions of poor citizens into a powerful and technologized machine that now produces over half of the overall world’s goods.
So, what do you need when relocating to China for work? What is the cost of living there for a year? Are there any guidelines you should follow during the transition? If you’re an expat and planning to move overseas for a new position, this article will provide you with essential info you should know.
Most westerners moving to China have claimed that getting a job is easier than they expected. The most straightforward job for expats is within the English teaching sector because organizations and educational facilities are always searching for native speakers. You don’t even need to speak Chinese to apply for an English teacher position. But if you’re applying for a manager or engineer position, you need to speak some Chinese to communicate with your co-workers easily.
Without much ado, here are the steps you should follow when you plan a relocation to China.
Visa regulation when moving to China
You need a visa when you plan to move to China for work. Chinese authorities have adopted a new law according to which your visa history impacts the counselor’s decision to issue or renew your visa. You can apply for one of four types of visas when you plan to immigrate to China.
– Chinese working visa. To obtain it, your employer must provide you with a work permit. When you arrive in China, you need to register with the police station in your area and get a residence permit.
– Business visa. Apply for this visa if you are traveling overseas to engage in commercial activities or start a business.
– Chinese study visa. You can choose from two types of visas X1 and X2. Both are created solely for students, so you cannot apply for one and gave up school when you arrive. The X2 visa provides a single-entry to the country, and you can use it for less than 6 months. The X1 allows you to enter the country multiple times and stay longer (during your bachelor’s or master’s program with a local university).
– Chinese tourist visa. To get a tourist visa, you need to prove your hotel reservation and vacation plan and documents to prove you have enough funds in your bank account to visit the country.
Visa regulations are frustrating, and the process can be lengthy (it can take up to 2 months), so it’s best to hire a consultant to guide you through the process.
Find accommodation
As everywhere around the world, the rental and housing prices fluctuate throughout China. If you’re relocating alone, a one-bedroom apartment is more than enough, and it can cost around $300 monthly. But if you’re moving to China with your family, expect to pay somewhere between $800 and $1000 per month for a three-bedroom apartment. The average price per square meter to buy property in China is $7000 (in city centers).
Most rentals provide TV and Internet access, but to ensure you browse the Internet securely and the Government doesn’t surveil your activities, get a VPN. Visit this page to check the top of the best VPN services in China. As an expat you may want to use websites like Facebook, Instagram, or Netflix, but China restricts its residents’ access to specific websites, so you need a VPN to remove geographical restrictions on content.
The cost of living in china isn’t high, and the average salary for an expat is from $1700-2500. Relocating to China for work can be an opportunity to save money. Most foreigners prefer living in big cities like Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Shenzhen.
Apply for a job
As you already know, China is the world leader in manufacturing, having the highest number of factories worldwide. As an expat, you can easily find a decent job in any industry, from agriculture to healthcare, IT, mining, and textile. Even if most Chinese are qualified in their profession, the country is actively attracting foreigners looking for a well-paid job in sales, finance, marketing, or teaching. As stated before, most expats occupy English teaching positions in China, and if this is the career path you want to follow, you need a TEOFL certificate in advance to meet educational institutions’ criteria.
If you’re an entrepreneur who wants to start a business in China, you’d be happy to find that the country is rich in talented professionals.
Even though the country provides expats with many job opportunities, knowing how to find the right position for you is essential. To get a job in the principal cities, you need at least two years of experience after obtaining your university degree or PhD. If you lack experience, relocate to a smaller city where the job requirements are less strict. You can also apply for an internship with an international company to gain experience.
Healthcare
China’s national healthcare system operates under the state social insurance plan, but it’s not free. This means you can obtain basic insurance coverage without too much hassle if you’re willing to pay. In general, health insurance covers most medical issues and procedures, but it’s recommended always to ask the medical expert you visit if you must reimburse the procedures.
Suppose you’re suffering from a chronic condition. In that case, you may not find the Chinese healthcare system suitable to treat your medical problem because the public system isn’t as developed as the ones from European countries, the USA, or Canada. Chinese people still appreciate the benefits of traditional rituals and healing practices. So, if you use a specific treatment scheme to alleviate your symptoms, check ahead if you can stick to it once relocating to China because the local doctors may not be able to prescribe you the same drugs because they lack from their healthcare system.
Check with your employer if they offer any type of health insurance, and what conditions it covers because you may need to purchase an additional policy.
