Moving to China for work, study, or an extended stay involves a different set of preparations and systems from a tourist visit. The payment apps and transit systems are the same, but you’ll need a Chinese bank account, a resident-registered phone number, likely a resident permit or student visa, and an understanding of how daily logistics — renting an apartment, buying health insurance, using food delivery apps — work for foreign residents.
This guide addresses the practical setup for foreign nationals staying in China for 30+ days.
Table of contents
Open Table of contents
- Visas for Long-Term Stays
- Chinese Bank Account — Why You Need It
- Chinese Phone Number — Essential for Everything
- Finding an Apartment
- Health Insurance for Foreign Residents
- Daily Life Apps
- Tax Registration and Financial Basics
- Cultural Adjustment for Long-Term Residents
- Community Resources for Foreign Residents
Visas for Long-Term Stays
Student Visa (X Visa)
The most common long-term visa for foreigners in China.
X1 visa (stay over 180 days): Requires an admission letter from a Chinese university or language school, a visa application, a physical examination form (some countries require pre-departure, others at-arrival), and conversion to a Student Resident Permit after arrival.
X2 visa (stay under 180 days): Simpler process; issued as a standard visa without residence permit requirement.
Application: At the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country. Processing: 4–7 working days.
After arrival: X1 visa holders must register at the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) within 30 days of arrival to obtain a Residence Permit — a card that replaces the visa sticker in your passport and shows your registration address. The university’s International Student Office usually facilitates this process.
Work Visa (Z Visa)
Requires a job offer, work permit authorization from the employer (employer handles this with the local labour bureau), and foreign expert certificate for some categories. More complex than student visas; your employer’s HR department typically guides the process.
Talent Visa (R Visa / Foreign Expert)
For high-skilled foreign workers, senior executives, and researchers. More flexible conditions than Z visas.
APEC Business Travel Card
Available to some business travellers from APEC economies, allowing easier short-term entry to multiple APEC countries including China.
Chinese Bank Account — Why You Need It
As a tourist, Alipay and WeChat Pay with a foreign card are workable. As a long-term resident, you need a Chinese bank account for:
- Receiving salary (employers pay into Chinese bank accounts)
- Receiving scholarship payments
- Paying rent via bank transfer
- Setting up phone contracts and services
- Full access to Alipay and WeChat Pay without foreign card limits
Opening a Bank Account as a Foreigner
Bank of China (中国银行) and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC, 工商银行) are the most foreigner-friendly for account opening.
What you need:
- Valid passport
- Valid visa or residence permit
- Chinese phone number (registered SIM)
- Initial deposit (¥100–500 minimum, varies by bank and branch)
- Some branches require proof of employment or enrollment
Process: Go to a branch in person. Take a number (排队号), wait, explain at the counter you want to open an account (开户 kāihù). Some branches have English-speaking staff; larger urban branches near universities or international business districts more likely to.
Common result: Basic savings account (储蓄卡 chúxùkǎ) with a UnionPay debit card. Add to WeChat Pay and Alipay directly.
WeChat Pay with Chinese Bank Account
Once you have a Chinese bank account with a UnionPay card, you can link it to WeChat Pay with full functionality — no foreign card limits, can receive transfers from Chinese contacts, can top up easily.
Chinese Phone Number — Essential for Everything
A Chinese phone number is required for:
- WeChat Pay and Alipay (full functionality)
- Chinese apps and services (food delivery, bike share, etc.)
- Bank account setup
- Apartment rental (landlord contact)
- University registration
Getting a Registered SIM
Buy a China Unicom, China Mobile, or China Telecom SIM at any carrier store or major supermarket. Requires:
- Passport and valid visa/residence permit
- Real-name registration (your details linked to the number)
Plans for long-term residents:
- Monthly contracts: ¥30–100/month for data-inclusive plans
- No fixed-term contract required in most cases
Finding an Apartment
Major Platforms
Ziroom (自如): The largest professional apartment rental platform in China. Apartments are pre-furnished, managed by the company rather than individual landlords, and have standardised contracts. Good for first arrivals who want reliability. Premium pricing but less hassle.
Ke (贝壳找房): China’s largest real estate platform. Agent-assisted rentals. More variety in price and type. Language barrier if no agent speaks English.
Beibei and other local apps: City-specific rental platforms.
University dormitory: International students at Chinese universities have dedicated dormitory accommodation. More expensive than local Chinese student accommodation, but included services and location on campus are convenient for first arrivals.
What to Expect
Rent: ¥3,000–8,000/month for a decent 1-bedroom in tier-1 city (Beijing, Shanghai); ¥1,500–4,000 in tier-2 cities (Chengdu, Xi’an, Hangzhou).
Deposit: Typically 2 months (押一付三 is common — 1 month deposit, 3 months’ advance payment).
Registration: After signing a lease, you must register your residential address at the local PSB within 30 days (or within 24 hours in some areas). This address goes on your Residence Permit. The landlord should accompany you to the PSB or provide documentation.
Health Insurance for Foreign Residents
Options
Employer/university coverage: Most employers and universities provide mandatory basic health insurance as part of the resident benefit package. This typically covers emergencies and basic care at designated local hospitals.
Supplemental international health insurance: Many long-term expats supplement employer coverage with international plans (Cigna Global, AXA IPMI, BUPA) for access to international hospitals and home country emergency evacuation.
National health insurance (城乡居民医疗保险): Long-term foreign workers on Z visas enrolled in China’s social security system may access the national health insurance scheme — your employer handles enrollment.
Daily Life Apps
For Long-Term Residents (Beyond Tourist Apps)
Meituan (美团) food delivery — China’s most used food delivery platform. Operates in all cities. Restaurant options are broader than Ele.me. Requires Chinese phone number and WeChat/Alipay payment.
Eleme (饿了么) — Alibaba’s food delivery platform. Significant overlap with Meituan. Check which has better coverage in your city.
Dianping (大众点评) — Restaurant reviews and recommendations. The Chinese Yelp. Essential for finding good local restaurants.
Xiaohongshu (小红书 / Little Red Book) — Lifestyle, recommendations, fashion, and local tips. Increasingly used by expats to find English-speaking services, expat-friendly neighborhoods, and local recommendations.
DiDi (滴滴出行) — Ride-hailing. Works better than tourist apps once you have a Chinese number. DiDi guide here.
Pinduoduo (拼多多) and Taobao (淘宝) — Online shopping. Taobao is Amazon equivalent. Pinduoduo is discount group-buying. Both used extensively by residents for everyday purchases.
Tax Registration and Financial Basics
Income tax: Foreign workers earning income in China are subject to Chinese individual income tax. Your employer typically handles withholding. Rates are progressive; the first ¥5,000/month is the tax-free threshold.
Remittance abroad: Converting yuan to foreign currency and sending abroad requires documentation (employment contract, tax records). Individual annual limit for overseas remittance: $50,000 USD equivalent.
Investment accounts: Foreign nationals can open stock/investment accounts in China but the process requires the right visa status. More complex than setting up a bank account; consult a China-registered financial advisor.
Cultural Adjustment for Long-Term Residents
The hierarchy of relationships (关系, guānxi): Long-term China residents consistently identify the importance of building personal relationships as the key to getting things done. Formal channels are slower; known contacts can facilitate. This isn’t corruption — it’s a cultural difference in how trust and cooperation operate.
Work culture: Overtime is common in Chinese private companies; state enterprise hours are different. Hierarchy is more explicit than in Western workplaces.
Social media: WeChat is the primary professional and personal communication tool — more important than email in many workplaces.
Language: While major cities have enough English for daily life, learning basic Mandarin dramatically improves the experience. 3–6 months of daily study produces functional conversational ability. Apps: HelloChinese (beginners), ChinesePod (intermediate), Pleco dictionary (essential reference tool).
Community Resources for Foreign Residents
The Beijinger, SmartShanghai, That’s Guangzhou — English-language lifestyle sites for each major city, covering events, restaurants, news, and expat community information.
Local expat WeChat groups — Searchable for your city; cover everything from apartment rentals to visa advice to social events.
British Chamber of Commerce, American Chamber of Commerce — Business networking; also provide practical information for their respective nationality communities.
Also see: China Visa Types Guide | China Payment Guide | China VPN Guide