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From permits to payments, start with the part of your move that needs attention now.
Working in China
Coworking and Home Office in China for Foreigners: Workspaces, Wi-Fi, and Daily Setup
A practical English guide to coworking spaces and home office setup in China for foreign residents, including Wi-Fi, calls, invoices, commuting, payments, and workday routines.
China Employment Contracts for Foreign Employees: What to Check Before You Sign
A practical English checklist for foreign professionals reviewing a China employment contract, including employer identity, work permit alignment, pay, probation, benefits, renewal, and exit terms.
China Tax Return for Foreigners: Who Must File by June 30, 2026?
A practical English guide to China's annual individual income tax settlement for foreign employees, including who must file, key dates, deductions, and the IIT app.
Daily Life
Laundry and Dry Cleaning in China for Foreigners: Machines, Drying, and Garment Care
A practical English guide to doing laundry in China as a foreign resident, including washing machines, drying clothes, dry cleaners, detergents, pickup services, and fabric-care habits.
Neighborhood Etiquette in China for Foreigners: Compounds, Elevators, Parcels, and Shared Spaces
A practical English guide to neighborhood etiquette in China for foreign residents, including apartment compounds, elevators, property management, noise, parcels, waste areas, and shared spaces.
Receiving Official Documents in China: Address, Courier Calls, and Record-Keeping
A practical English guide for foreign residents receiving official documents in China, including address formatting, courier calls, delivery records, document safety, and backup contacts.
Renting with Pets in China: A Guide for Foreign Residents
A practical English guide for foreign residents renting with pets in China, including lease terms, deposits, compound rules, neighbors, cleaning, delivery access, and moving plans.
Fitness and Gyms in China for Foreigners: Memberships, Classes, and Sports Venues
A practical English guide to finding gyms, fitness classes, running routes, sports venues, and membership options in China as a foreign resident.
Moving Apartments in China: Address, Utilities, Deposit, and Registration Checklist
A practical English guide for foreign residents moving apartments in China, including lease handover, address updates, utilities, deposits, deliveries, and post-move registration checks.
Grocery Shopping in China for Foreigners: Supermarkets, Markets, and Online Orders
A practical English guide to buying groceries in China as a foreign resident, including supermarkets, wet markets, online orders, payment, food labels, delivery, and useful shopping habits.
Packages and Food Delivery in China: A Guide for Foreign Residents
How foreign residents can receive parcels and food delivery in China, including Chinese addresses, pickup lockers, building gates, payment, delivery calls, and practical safety checks.
Public Transport in China for Foreigners: Metro, Buses, Taxis, and Ride-Hailing
A practical English guide to using public transport in China as a foreigner, including metro systems, buses, taxis, ride-hailing, payment methods, navigation, and common arrival mistakes.
Utilities in China for Foreign Renters: Water, Electricity, Gas, and Property Fees
A practical guide for foreign renters in China on setting up and paying utilities, reading meters, handling property-management fees, avoiding billing disputes, and closing accounts when moving out.
Home Internet in China for Foreigners: How to Set Up Broadband and Wi-Fi
A practical guide for foreign residents setting up home internet in China, from checking building coverage and choosing a plan to installation, router setup, payments, and moving out.
Taking Trains in China as a Foreigner: 12306, Passport Tickets, Check-In, and Refunds
A practical English guide to buying China train tickets with a passport, using 12306, checking in with e-tickets, changing or refunding tickets, and planning station time.
Can Foreigners Drive in China with a Foreign License? What to Do in 2026
A practical English guide to driving legally in mainland China with a foreign license, including temporary driving permits, Chinese license conversion, rentals, and common mistakes.
Your First Week in China: A Practical Arrival Checklist
The first essential tasks to handle after landing, from accommodation registration to mobile payments.
Getting a SIM Card in China: A Guide for Foreign Residents and Visitors
How to get a Chinese mobile number, choose a telecom provider, register with your passport, top up your account, and protect your phone.
How to Open a Bank Account in China as a Foreigner
A practical English guide to opening a Chinese bank account, preparing documents, choosing a branch, and linking the account to daily payments.
Mobile Payments in China for Foreigners: Alipay, Weixin Pay, Cards, and Cash
A practical English guide to using Alipay, Weixin Pay, UnionPay, bank cards, and cash as an international visitor or new resident in China.
City Guides
Renting an Apartment in Shenzhen: A Guide for Foreign Professionals
How to search, inspect, sign, file, and move into a rental apartment in Shenzhen, with official platform and registration notes for foreign residents.
Moving to Shenzhen: A First-Week Guide for Foreign Professionals
A practical Shenzhen arrival checklist covering accommodation registration, SIM cards, payments, transport, banking, healthcare, and local government services.
Renting an Apartment in Shanghai: A Practical Guide for Foreign Residents
How to search, inspect, sign, pay, and complete accommodation registration when renting a home in Shanghai.
Family & Education
Visas & Residence
Shenzhen Work and Residence Permit Services: What Foreign Employees Should Know
A Shenzhen-focused guide to work permit, residence permit, and government-service steps for foreign employees and their employers.
China Residence Permit Renewal for Foreigners: When to Apply and What to Prepare in 2026
A practical English guide to China residence permit renewal timing, document planning, address or passport changes, and what foreign employees should do before expiry.
China Work Permits: What International Professionals Should Understand
A plain-English overview of the work permit process and the questions to ask before accepting a role.
