Choose your journey for a tailored guide
Updated July 2026 / Multilingual
Find Out If You Need One
What to Sort Before You Fly
Before you fly, make sure you have these essentials ready. Tap each item for details.
From Tarmac to Taxi in 6 Steps
Landing in China? Tap to learn about immigration, customs, and registration.
Stay Online Behind the Firewall
Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram are blocked in China. Here is how to stay connected.
Go Cashless — Link in 5 Minutes
China is largely cashless — mobile payment is the default, accounting for over 86% of consumer transactions. Foreign visitors can now link Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and Amex directly to Alipay and WeChat Pay. No Chinese bank account needed.
Navigate China Like a Local
Getting around, eating well, and finding a place to stay. Tap each item for practical tips.
World-Class Care, Fraction of the Cost
Buy the Best + Get Your Tax Back
Nearly 500 Cities Await You
When Things Go Wrong — Who to Call
Save these numbers. In an emergency, knowing who to call can make the difference.
Leaving China? A few things to take care of before you go.
Updated July 2026 / Multilingual
Your Route In
Choose your conversion pathway. Each has different requirements — tap to see the full step-by-step process.
Get Permitted
The two-step process every foreign worker goes through. Since late 2025, a one-stop online portal integrates work permit, residence permit, and social security registration.
Digital Keys to Everyday Life
A Chinese phone number and bank account are the keys to everyday life in China.
Find Your Home
Ziroom and Beike are the two biggest rental platforms. Standard contract is 1 month deposit + 3 months rent. Police registration is mandatory within 24 hours of moving in.
Stay Covered
Foreign employees must enroll in all five social insurances within 30 days of work permit issuance. Most expats also buy supplementary international health insurance for private clinics with English-speaking doctors.
Hit the Road, Hit the Books
Foreign licenses aren't valid in China — but conversion is straightforward: temporary permit, direct swap, or written test. For families, international schools offer US/UK/IB curricula. Plan 6-12 months ahead.
Live Like a Local
Once you have your phone, bank, and apartment sorted, here's everything for daily life — from where to shop to what to eat to how to dress.
Play by the Rules
Stay on top of renewal deadlines and know who to call in an emergency. Overstay penalties can be severe — set a calendar reminder 60 days before your permit expires.
Save these numbers. Tap each one to learn when to call and what to expect.
Updated July 2026 / Multilingual