Moving to China
A practical guide for foreign teachers.
Everything we wish someone had told us before the first flight — visa basics, money, cities, housing and what to expect from your first month.
Visa & paperwork
To teach legally in China you'll need a Z-visa, which becomes a residence permit once you arrive. Your school sponsors this. Typical requirements: clean criminal background check, authenticated degree, TEFL or teaching qualification, and a medical check. We walk every teacher through the document chain step by step.
Money & saving
Salaries range roughly ¥20,000–¥40,000 per month depending on role and city. With housing covered or subsidised, most teachers save 40–60% of their salary. China is largely cashless — set up Alipay and WeChat Pay in your first week.
Choosing a city
Shanghai and Beijing offer the largest expat communities and most international amenities, with higher costs to match. Shenzhen and Hangzhou are modern, fast-moving and great for tech and lifestyle. Chengdu and Suzhou offer a more relaxed pace with lower costs.
Housing
Most contracts include either on-campus housing or a monthly allowance (typically ¥6,000–¥10,000). Apartments are generally modern and well-located near the school. We help you understand what's normal for each city before you sign.
Culture & day-to-day life
Public transport is fast, clean and cheap. Food is exceptional and varies enormously by region. Mandarin lessons are a good investment — even basic Chinese makes daily life noticeably easier and more fun.
Your first month
Expect a steep but exciting learning curve. Most schools provide an orientation, airport pickup and help opening a bank account. Give yourself permission to feel overwhelmed for the first few weeks — it gets easier quickly.
Questions about a specific city or school?
We've placed teachers in 20+ cities across China. We're happy to share what we know.
Ask us anything