Moving to China as an Expat: Work and Relocation Guide

Moving to China for work involves more than obtaining a visa and booking a flight.

A successful relocation connects the employee’s legal employer, work authorization, residence status, payroll, individual income tax, social insurance, housing, healthcare, banking, and family arrangements.

Employees and employers should begin planning before confirming the move. Missing or inconsistent documents can delay the work-permit process, while unclear compensation or housing arrangements can create problems after arrival.

This guide covers the essential steps before departure, during the first month, and throughout the China assignment.

Before Moving: Confirm the Legal Employer

The first question is not where the employee will live. It is which entity will legally employ and support the employee in China.

If the company has a suitable mainland China entity, that entity may employ the expatriate and support the work-authorization process.

If the company does not have a China entity, it may need another lawful local employment structure. Depending on the role, city, employee, and provider capabilities, a China EOR service may support local employment, payroll, benefits, and HR administration.

The employer structure should be confirmed before the immigration application begins because the following records should align:

• Employment contract
• Job title and duties
• Work location
• Salary
• Work-permit application
• Residence-permit documents
• Payroll records
• Tax and benefit registration

An EOR should not be treated as a visa-only service. Work authorization must be tied to a genuine and supportable employment arrangement.

Understand the Work-Permit Process

Most foreign nationals moving to China for employment require the appropriate work authorization.

For a common long-term employment route, the process may include:

1. Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit
2. Z visa application where required
3. Entry into China
4. Completion of post-arrival work-permit formalities
5. Application for a work-type residence permit

The exact procedure depends on the city, employer, nationality, position, qualifications, and whether the applicant is outside or already inside China.

A business visa, tourist visa, or visa-free entry does not generally authorize ordinary employment.

See HROne’s China work permit and visa guide for the employer-side process and document requirements.

Prepare the Required Documents

Start collecting documents early. Some may require an apostille, authentication, notarization, or Chinese translation.

Commonly requested materials include:

• Passport
• Passport photograph
• Degree or professional certificate
• Employment-history letters
• Criminal-record certificate
• Health-examination documents
• Employment contract or certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Birth certificates for accompanying children

Requirements differ by case and filing location. Confirm the correct process before paying for document preparation.

Check that names, passport numbers, dates, job titles, and employment history are consistent across every record.

Do not place documents needed for post-arrival appointments in shipped luggage. Keep originals and certified copies accessible during travel.

Agree on the Relocation Package

The employer and employee should document the relocation package before the move.

It may cover:

• Immigration fees
• Flights
• Temporary accommodation
• Long-term housing
• Rental deposit and agent fees
• Household shipment
• Storage
• Private medical insurance
• School fees
• Language training
• Home leave
• Tax preparation
• Repatriation

The agreement should explain eligibility, limits, payment method, required receipts, tax treatment, and family coverage.

It should also state what happens if the assignment ends early. Possible issues include return flights, lease penalties, school costs, shipment home, and repayment of certain relocation expenses.

HR teams can use this China expatriate relocation checklist to coordinate the employer-side process.

Choose the Right City and Neighborhood

The employee’s work location is usually driven by the employer, customers, suppliers, or industry.

Common expatriate destinations include:

• Shanghai for finance, consumer businesses, professional services, and regional management
• Beijing for technology, research, public affairs, healthcare, and policy-related roles
• Shenzhen for technology, hardware, electronics, and innovation
• Guangzhou for trade, logistics, consumer products, and regional sales
• Suzhou and nearby cities for manufacturing and engineering
• Dongguan for electronics, supply-chain, sourcing, and quality roles
• Chengdu for technology, services, support operations, and lower operating costs

Within each city, compare commute time, school access, medical facilities, public transportation, and neighborhood services.

Do not choose housing based only on distance shown on a map. Traffic, metro access, and travel between districts can substantially affect the daily commute.

Arrange Temporary Housing First

Temporary housing provides time to inspect neighborhoods and leases after arrival.

Before signing a long-term lease, confirm:

• Monthly rent
• Deposit
• Agent fee
• Lease duration
• Early termination
• Maintenance
• Included furniture
• Utilities
• Internet
• Tax invoices or receipts
• Registration documents
• Building rules
• Pet restrictions

The lease or property documentation may be needed for accommodation registration and other administrative processes.

Avoid making a large payment until the landlord’s identity, authority, property details, and contract have been verified.

Plan Family Relocation Early

Families may need more preparation time than the employee.

Plan for:

• Dependent visa or residence documents
• Marriage and birth certificates
• School selection
• Application deadlines
• Tuition and deposits
• Private health insurance
• Spouse support
• Housing requirements
• Childcare
• Pet relocation
• Return travel

International-school capacity and location can affect both the timing of the move and the family’s preferred neighborhood.

Confirm whether dependent family members can work. A dependent residence arrangement does not automatically authorize employment.

Prepare Healthcare and Insurance

China has public hospitals, private facilities, and international clinics. Availability, language support, cost, and direct billing vary by city.

Before moving, confirm:

• Employer-provided insurance
• Statutory medical coverage
• Private or international coverage
• Outpatient and inpatient limits
• Maternity coverage
• Pre-existing condition exclusions
• Dependent coverage
• Direct-billing hospitals
• Emergency evacuation
• Prescription arrangements

Bring sufficient medication for the transition period where lawful, along with a doctor’s letter and original packaging. Verify whether any medication is restricted before traveling.

Identify nearby emergency and routine-care facilities shortly after choosing a residence.

Complete Accommodation Registration

Foreign nationals must complete accommodation registration after arriving or changing their place of residence.

Hotels generally complete registration for guests. A person staying in an apartment or other non-hotel residence should normally register with the relevant authority within 24 hours.

Some locations provide online registration. China’s official accommodation-registration guidance explains that online registration has the same legal effect as in-person registration where the service is available.

Keep the registration record. It may be needed for immigration, banking, and other procedures.

Register again after moving to a new address when required.

Apply for the Residence Permit

Foreign nationals who enter with a visa requiring a residence permit generally need to apply within the specified post-entry period.

Official guidance commonly states a 30-day deadline after entry for individuals whose visa requires residence-permit conversion. The actual appointment and submission process should be confirmed for the city and case.

The work-type residence permit process may require:

• Passport
• Visa and entry record
• Accommodation registration
• Work-permit documentation
• Employer certification
• Application form
• Photograph
• Health documentation
• Other local materials

Do not wait until the end of the filing period. Plan the residence permit in China alongside work authorization and employer documents. Appointments, missing documents, public holidays, and employer corrections can cause delays.

Set Up a Chinese Mobile Number

A local mobile number is important for banking, delivery services, transportation, apps, and identity verification.

Foreign nationals can generally apply for a SIM card using a valid passport. The available plans and registration process depend on the operator.

Ask the employer or relocation provider to identify a suitable service location if language support is needed.

Keep the number active throughout the assignment because it may be linked to bank and payment accounts.

Open a Bank Account

A local bank account is commonly needed for salary and daily payments.

Banks may request:

• Passport
• Chinese mobile number
• Work permit
• Residence permit
• Employment documentation
• Local address
• Tax information

Requirements can vary by bank, branch, and customer profile. Ask the employer which bank supports payroll and what documents the chosen branch requires.

The Chinese government’s official Guide to Working and Living in China covers SIM cards, bank cards, mobile payments, accommodation, permits, social insurance, and IIT.

Set Up Mobile Payments

Mobile payments are widely used for transportation, restaurants, retail, utilities, and online purchases.

Foreign visitors and residents may be able to link eligible overseas or Chinese bank cards to services such as Alipay and WeChat Pay. Verification and transaction limits can vary.

Keep another payment method available during setup. Carrying some RMB cash can also be useful while bank and payment accounts are being activated.

Use only official applications and avoid sending payment codes, passwords, or verification messages to other people.

Understand Payroll and Individual Income Tax

Expatriate payroll can be more complex than local payroll.

The compensation arrangement may include:

• Onshore salary
• Offshore salary
• Split payroll
• Housing
• Schooling
• Relocation allowances
• Bonuses
• Equity
• Tax equalization
• Home-leave benefits

Before the first payroll cycle, the employer should confirm which entity pays each amount, how IIT is withheld, and how benefits are documented.

China tax residency and liability depend on factors such as domicile, days in China, income source, and treaty treatment. The frequently cited 183-day test is important, but it is not the only issue.

See the China expat payroll and IIT guide for the employer’s compliance responsibilities.

Employees with continuing obligations in another country should obtain advice covering both jurisdictions.

Confirm Social Insurance Treatment

Foreign employees working in China are generally included in the social insurance framework unless a valid exemption applies.

China has social security agreements with certain countries. An agreement may exempt qualifying employees from specified contribution categories, but it does not necessarily exempt every program.

The employee and employer should confirm:

• Whether an agreement is in force
• Which contribution categories it covers
• Whether the employee qualifies
• Which certificate is required
• Where the exemption must be filed
• The exemption period
• Renewal requirements

Do not assume that overseas contributions automatically create a China exemption.

Complete Workplace Onboarding

Relocation support and company onboarding should be coordinated.

The employee should receive:

• Signed employment documents
• Employee handbook
• Payroll schedule
• Leave process
• Benefits information
• Manager and reporting line
• First-month objectives
• Equipment
• System access
• Information-security training
• Emergency contacts
• Local HR support details

The job title, employer, location, and responsibilities should remain consistent with approved work-authorization records.

Any material change should be reviewed before implementation.

Adjust to Daily Life

Learning a few practical Mandarin phrases can make transportation, shopping, deliveries, and housing easier.

Useful preparations include:

• Installing approved communication and navigation apps
• Saving addresses in Chinese
• Learning emergency numbers
• Carrying a passport copy where appropriate
• Understanding public holiday schedules
• Testing the commute before the first workday
• Learning local payment and delivery practices
• Locating the nearest hospital and police station

China’s emergency numbers include:

• Police: 110
• Fire: 119
• Medical emergency: 120

Employees should also save their employer’s emergency contact and the contact information for their embassy or consulate.

First 30 Days in China

First 24 Hours

• Confirm accommodation registration.
• Notify the employer or relocation contact of arrival.
• Check the immigration appointment schedule.
• Keep original documents secure.

First Week

• Attend required work-permit or residence appointments.
• Set up a local mobile number.
• Begin bank-account setup.
• Confirm health-insurance access.
• Complete company onboarding.
• Review temporary housing and long-term options.

First Month

• Complete residence-permit requirements.
• Confirm payroll and IIT setup.
• Verify social insurance or exemption handling.
• Activate mobile payments.
• Finalize housing.
• Confirm dependent arrangements.
• Review emergency, medical, and HR contacts.

Track Permits and Employment Changes

The employer and employee should maintain a renewal calendar for:

• Passport
• Work permit
• Residence permit
• Dependent permits
• Employment contract
• Insurance
• Housing lease

Changes to the passport, employer, position, or other approved information may require an update.

The official expatriate guide advises employers to begin work-permit renewal before expiration and to report specified changes within the applicable period.

Do not assume HR will automatically identify every personal change. Employees should promptly report a new passport, address, family status, or proposed job change.

Plan the End of the Assignment

Departure planning should begin before the final workday.

The checklist may include:

• Final payroll
• IIT reconciliation
• Work-permit cancellation
• Residence-permit handling
• Social insurance
• Bank account
• Housing deposit
• Utilities
• School withdrawal
• Shipment
• Insurance cancellation
• Equipment return
• System-access removal
• Employment certificates

The employer and employee should confirm who pays return travel, shipment, lease penalties, and other repatriation expenses.

HROne’s China employee relocation service guide explains how immigration, payroll, housing, and offboarding can be coordinated.

Moving to China Successfully

The smoothest moves begin with the employment and immigration structure—not the flight date.

Confirm the legal employer, check work-permit feasibility, prepare authenticated documents, and document the relocation package before travel. After arrival, prioritize accommodation registration, residence procedures, payroll, insurance, banking, and family support.

HROne’s expatriate employment solution supports international companies coordinating employment, immigration, payroll, benefits, and relocation. Contact HROne to discuss an expatriate assignment in China.

This article provides general information and does not constitute immigration, legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. Requirements vary by city, nationality, employer, and individual circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What visa do I need to work in China?

For many long-term employees, the process includes employer-supported work authorization, a Z visa where required, a Foreigner’s Work Permit, and a work-type residence permit.

Must I register my address after arrival?

Yes. Hotels generally register guests. People staying outside hotels should normally complete accommodation registration within 24 hours.

Can I work in China on a business or tourist visa?

These routes do not generally authorize ordinary employment. Confirm the correct work authorization before beginning work.

Do expatriates pay tax in China?

They may. The outcome depends on residence, days in China, income source, compensation structure, and applicable treaty provisions.

Do foreign employees join Chinese social insurance?

Generally, yes, unless a valid exemption applies. Bilateral agreements may exempt qualifying employees from specified categories.

Can my family move with me?

Eligible dependents may apply through the appropriate family immigration route. Their documents should be prepared alongside the employee’s application.