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Relocation Update-04
This site has been a spot where people who are moving to and living in Shanghai can get answers. Every week we get a number of questions about the the details of living here. Most are good questions, but have been answered on this site numerous times. Mostly it boils down to: What do I need know? Where can find this info? This site is about answering these questions and more.
Here are a few of the answers to some of the question in a nutshell. To find out more, use the site and forum search and get a login in order to post and ask questions of the community in the forum. One of the aspects of this site is that is has a very active and helpful community.
Your situation.
Of course, each person has unique situation. If you are an English teacher you might be lucky to get a plane ticket and visa to make the trip. If you are a senior manager, you might have your whole house moved and have a villa, car and driver waiting for you. Suffice to say, it will be quite an adjustment and your budget for living will have a lot to do with the amount of culture shock you initially experience upon arrival.
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Visiting Shanghai
If you can swing it, it would be great for you to take a week and come to Shanghai for a look around. It will give a sense of the town and what the possibilities are for living here. It will also give a sense of how far you might be from your comfortable surroundings in your home country.
A way to spend a week checking things out
The most important things first - job, housing, transportation and network. You will be landing at Pudong International Airport. It is assumed that you have hotel reservations or a place to stay. It is also assumed you have some idea of what part of the city your company is located. It is recommended that you get accommodations at least on the same side of the river as your primary work and probably your home will be located. This allows you the most convenience in shopping, housing, and checking neighborhoods that are close to work.
If you do not have a job and are seeking some kind of employment, you can find a hotel downtown near the subway. There are lots of choices for just about any budget.
Next, visit some of the real estate links on this site or take a look at the housing classifieds in the forum. Pick up one of the English language weekly mags like
City Weekend at just about any of the coffee shops. You will probably need to find an agent who can provide access to some of the better deals, as well as support in negotiations with landlord and contract help (usually in Chinese.) Be clear with your agent about the price range and area you are looking for. Also, be clear in your mind about the amenities you must have, the ones you would like to have, and the ones that might be unnecessary for you. Spend a day or so looking around at the possibilities and prices. If you are close to your move, you will have an idea of where and how much your housing will run.
If you have children, you will want to make arrangements for schooling. If you have a budget for one of the international schools, you will want to visit these. See the listings in the links and Yellow Pages sections of the site. Again, try to consider where you will be living and working and try to locate a school fairly close. Also, these schools will commonly have a formal application with a fee. Talk to the principal or counselor.
Your other options are using the local schools. Some local schools have sections for foreign students. Usually tuition will be relatively low. However, at least half the day, if not all, will be delivered in Chinese. Another option some parents opt for is home-schooling.
Finally, just get out and see the city a bit. Perhaps start to meet a few people. Connections are important. If you can tap in to some of Chamber of Commerce activities, Happy Hour networking, or even just something as informal as the Shanghaiexpat coffee meeting, it will take a long way toward a hitting the ground running when you make your move. Most the English language entertainment mags are rich with possibilities.
Visas and Legalities
Your company will have to be involved to get you a Z (work) visa. Chances are the easiest route is to get a basic tourist visa from the Chinese embassy in your home country to allow arrival and moving in. Once you are here, you can work with your local office to get your visa changed to a working visa. It really is better if you do it rather than at your local Chinese embassy. In my experience, the embassy seem to want to grant as little as possible while the folks down at Wusong Lu deal with these issues day to day. As long your paperwork is up to date they will put it through.
The Division of Aliens Entry-Exit Administration of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau is located at 333 Wusong Rd -a short taxi ride from the Bund. It is actually a pretty efficient operation. Take a number when you arrive.
For a Z visa you will need to submit a letter of invitation from your company (which is authorized to operate in China by the government) along with the application form. You will also need to get a complete physical for a health certificate.
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