A new guide to living and working in China as an expat

In order to make life easier for expats living and working in China, the country’s Ministry of Commerce, together with other relevant government departments, has released “A Guide to Working and Living in China as Business Expatriates” that details everything from visas to mobile payment to getting a local SIM card. The guide will be updated on an annual basis as policies and procedures change.

The guide includes information on a number of categories, a portion of which we have summarised below. Click here to read the guide in full.

Banking and payments

As we noted in a recent article, China is taking positive steps to expand access to payment options for foreigners. In addition to mobile payment, which the guide notes can now be used with international cards, individuals can now open a Chinese bank account simply by presenting a passport (or another relevant form of ID) – previously, many banks required a residence permit or other more permanent documentation. You may need a Chinese SIM card, however, that can also be easily obtained with just your passport.

Travel

The guide details various modes of transport, from trains to local metro systems to ride-hailing apps. Once you have signed up for WeChat or Alipay, many travel services can be accessed through those platforms. The main thing to note is that in order to travel by train (which is undoubtedly one of the best ways to get around China) you will always need to use your passport – both to buy tickets and to enter the station and board the train.

Social insurance and individual income tax

Foreigners employed and earning money in China are required to participate in China’s social insurance scheme.  The guide also emphasises that people who live in China (or have been in China for more than 183 days in a tax year) need to file an annual individual income tax return with the tax authority, and gives details of how this can be carried out. If you are employed by a company, they can usually advise on both these processes.