Shanghai Expats Guide

Shanghai Expat Travel Tips

Shanghai , the Paris of the East, can be a wonderful place to live whether it is for travel, business, or education, you will find a glimmer that exists in Shanghai that can not be found in other places throughout China . The city is almost constantly changing, making tourist and travel guides obsolete in sometimes only a year's time. Shanghai is the modern cosmopolitan hub of China for dinning, fashion, business, and growth that is unrivaled by any other city. Don't expect to find cultural and historical sites as you would in Beijing or Xian, but Shanghai offers a modern lifestyle and foreign architecture which makes the “city on the sea” a unique and influential addition to the People's Republic of China .

History

Shanghai was little more than a fishing city 17 th century until the British opened their concession in the city following the first Opium War. Earlier, canals had been built to drain the marshlands around the Yangzi and the British Concession was quickly followed by other European concessions in the 1800's, which rapidly propelled Shanghai to be one of the largest port cities in China . The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) was founded in Shanghai and many pivotal revolutionary events have occurred in the city in recent history. Shanghai is now expected to surpass Hong Kong as the economic and industrial powerhouse of China sometime within the next few decades.

Visa and Permit Procedures

If you are planning to live in Shanghai , work, or go to university, you will need to follow specific government procedures in order to avoid excess fees and trouble with the Chinese authorities. If you are working or studying in Shanghai , you will need to obtain either a work (Z) or a student visa. These visas should be sponsored by your employer or school. Prior to attaining the visa, you and your family will have to undertake a health examination and receive a certificate of good health. This is done to assure that no one is bringing infectious diseases or STDS, such as AIDS, into China . Once you have received your health certificate, you must take a copy of the certificate, your passport, two passport sized photos, a copy of your degree or letter of enrollment, an offer letter for employment, and an application form. The same will be needed for a residence visa which must be pursued after 30 days of receiving your work visa and should also be sponsored through your company or school especially if they are providing the accommodations. Please contact your national consulate (see our list of embassies ) for more information regarding the legalities of living and working in Shanghai .

Living in Shanghai

Flat rentals in Shanghai vary in price depending on your desires and expectations. A basic 60sqm apartment, fully furnished with appliances, should cost around 3000 RMB. However, there are luxury apartments which range from 7,000 – 10,000 RMB and higher a month. Utilities should cost around 200+ per month and an additional 180 for internet each month. Basic meals will cost about 30-40 RMB all the way up to 400 RMB depending on your palate. Cost of living in Shanghai can be significantly higher than other parts of China , but it is still considerably cheap to most visitors. A coke costs about 2.8 RMB, 15RMB for a Big Mac, taxi services start at 11RMB, and good Chinese dish will cost about 18RMB. If you are planning on going to Expat bars or restaurants expect to pay 30RMB for a beer and 40-45 for western style dishes. The cheapest way to get around and live in Shanghai is to assimilate. Take the subway, 3-4 RMB each way, walk for free, and eat at local restaurants and feed at 2 people for 50 RMB.

Healthcare

There are many hospitals and clinics located all over Shanghai . For the most up-to-date list, contact your national consulate for the best listing of hospitals, physicians, and clinics. (Please see our list of China Hospitals as well) International health insurance is becoming increasingly more popular as the Chinese healthcare system is strained with higher populations and health awareness, individuals and families require adequate international insurance coverage as prices rise. If you are not covered by your employer or school, there are several different expatriate health insurance plans available through our website. Please contact one of our customer service representatives who can help you choose the best plan for you and your family.

For more information about China, the international health insurance plans that we can offer there, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today.

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Recent Questions / Comments:

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2008-01-08 09:41:25

Hello. I am currently in the us military stationed in the United Kingdom, Currently my fiance who visits from the United States is currently 14 weeks pregnant with no health insurance. While here she has been able to get some health checkups from the British midwives, but it has been our concern how long it will last. Our goal is for her to have our child here in england while we are together , but the only problem is my insurance will not cover her until we are married. What options are there if any, so that i may be able to purchase coverage for her to maintain and have our child here.

Click Here to Read the Answer	2007-10-09 12:06:45
I am an Indian living in Indonesia. I would like to have a medical health insuarnce for me and my wife. I travel to USA and Canada quite often. We do not have any health insurance of our own except for the group insurance from my company applicable to me only. I am looking for a long term insurance which will be applicable in Indonesia, India and other countires.

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