Chinese immigration guide. A thorough explanation of benefits, visas, and living expenses!

If you are considering moving to China, do you have the following questions?

In order to answer such questions, this time I will explain the benefits of moving to China, the cost of living, visas for immigration, and recommended areas.

5 benefits of moving to China

First, let's take a look at the benefits of moving to China. Here are five benefits of moving to China based on the experiences of people who have lived in China.

Low prices

In China, where economic growth continues, prices are rising every year. Therefore, the cost of living, especially in urban areas, may be about the same as living in Japan, or even higher.

But only if you live in luxury. In China, you can live at a relatively low price for daily necessities such as utility bills and food. On the other hand, eating out, luxury goods, branded goods, etc. are not cheap at all.

Because the gap between rich and poor is widening, if you want an upper class life, the cost of living will be higher, and if you want a normal life, you will be able to live at relatively low prices.

Good food

There are many types of Chinese food, from high-end dishes like imperial court cuisine to cheap and delicious food that you can eat at street stalls. Many of them can be said to be dishes that suit the palate of Japanese people.

Because you can easily eat Chinese food in Japan, it can be said that the taste is familiar to Japanese people.

Additionally, since we are from the same Asian region, there are some similarities in ingredients and cooking methods. Being able to naturally accept the food culture of the country you are moving to is a big deal.

Close to Japan

China is overwhelmingly closer to Japan than Western countries or countries in the Southern Hemisphere. This short distance is a big advantage when you return to your home country temporarily.

In addition, China has become the country where many Japanese people stay after the United States. Japanese companies are also actively making inroads into the country. Perhaps because of this, there are many direct flights from major cities in China to Japan.

In the event that something goes wrong at your new destination, insurance will make it easier for you to temporarily return to your home country.

A treasure trove for Chinese culture and history lovers

In Japan, stories based on Chinese history, such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms, are popular across generations in novels, manga, and movies.

The buildings that appear in such historical picture scrolls still remain in China, and historical relics such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China are protected and preserved.

This time, I'm talking about a migration plan, not tourism, so I might not choose a country to migrate to just because I like history.

However, the convenience of living in a world-class metropolis and the presence of historical heritage at the same time can be said to be a great attraction of China's cities and surrounding areas.

Enjoying the vast land

China has a vast land that is incomparably larger than Japan, and each region has its own ethnicity, culture, language, history, and natural environment. .

They are a big feature of China, and there are many things that immigrants can enjoy by actively entering them.

If traveling is your hobby, it is also recommended to go around various places after moving. The state of the city is completely different between the coastal area and the inland area.

It would be nice to follow the Silk Road and head to Dunhuang, etc., and Hong Kong and Macao will have a different atmosphere from other cities in China.

How much will it cost to live in China?

I'm curious about how much it will cost to live in China. As a guideline, here are the monthly living expenses for a single Japanese living in Beijing.

If a single person lives in an apartment in Beijing, the rent of 100,000 yen is not cheap at all. In China's urban areas, the current situation is that rents and housing purchase costs remain high.

It would be possible to reduce the rent more, but considering the housing facilities, security, hygiene, etc., this is reasonable.

Eating out costs more than that in Japan. The reason why food expenses are kept at around 20,000 yen is probably because they cook for themselves. It can be said that this single person strikes a good balance between ease of living and cost of living.

Because of China's vast land area, the cost of living varies from region to region and city to city. Let's take a look at the monthly living expenses in Dalian, where many Japanese companies are located.

This is a single person living in the center of Dalian City living expenses. I live in a better property than a single person in Beijing, so my rent is almost the same.

Normally, rent is cheaper in Dalian than in Beijing.

In contrast to Beijing's singles who mostly cooked their own meals, Dalian's singles seem to have more opportunities to eat and drink on the go. Food costs have quadrupled.

Compared to living in Beijing, it will be easier to keep down the cost of living in Dalian. However, eating and drinking on the go is expensive, so the cost of living is correspondingly high.

In this way, although Beijing tends to have higher rents and prices, the cost of living in Dalian may be the same or even higher depending on the lifestyle.

It may be a good idea to decide where and what kind of life you want to live in China before you move.

What visa do I need to move to China?

You don't need a visa for stays of up to 15 days, but you must obtain a visa for longer stays. Chinese visas are classified very finely.

It can be roughly divided into permanent residence visa, work visa, student visa, tourist visa, and others. In addition, there are visas for visiting family and relatives living in China, and visas for exchanges, visits, inspections, etc. in China.

It would be easy if I could get a permanent residence visa right away, but that is not the case. First of all, it is common to obtain a work visa and clear the conditions of a permanent residence visa while staying in China.

D visa (settlement visa)

D visa is a visa for a person with permanent residency. The D visa is for those who wish to settle in China.

Meeting the eligibility requirements for a D visa is not easy. Even if you marry a Chinese national, if you have a stable living security and a permanent address in China, and if you have been married and resided in China for at least five years, and have not stayed in China for at least nine months each year, you will be eligible for a D visa. Conditions cannot be cleared.

For those who are interested in investing in China, those who have made stable direct investment in China for more than 3 years and who have paid taxes are the conditions for obtaining a D visa.

Other conditions include those who have been recognized for their contribution to China through work or academics, but not everyone can meet the conditions.

Z visa (work visa)

Because it is difficult to obtain a D visa, which is a permanent residence visa, many people first obtain a Z visa, which is a work visa, and continue to stay in China.

In particular, it seems to be common among those who have a Chinese spouse. You will apply for a D visa as soon as you know how long you will be staying in Japan and when you will be able to secure your livelihood.

Other work-related visas include the R visa, which can be obtained by highly-skilled and specialized personnel sought by China, and the M visa, which is for people entering China for commercial trade.

Recommended areas for moving to China

Beijing, the capital city of Asia

Beijing, the capital city, has a population of approximately 21.52 million, is the center of politics, and ranks second only to Shanghai in terms of economic scale.

There are many Japanese companies that have expanded into China in the city center. There are also many single-family homes that are in high demand for business people.

However, if it is a house for moving, both rent and house purchase cost will be the highest in China. In terms of land area, it may be a little cramped.

Many Japanese expatriates live in the Reito area where the Japanese school is located. If you want a house where you can live with your family, we recommend that you dare to leave the center and expand your options to the Lidu area, the neighboring Yansha area, or the suburbs.

Dalian, home to many Japanese companies

Dalian is located in Liaoning Province in the northeastern part of China and has a population of approximately 6 million. Japanese companies have a long history of expanding into Dalian. Currently, the Mori Building stands in the center of the city and is home to many Japanese companies and Japanese restaurants.

Dalian's climate is characterized by four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. August, the hottest month in the summer, has an average maximum temperature of 27.3°C, while the average winter temperature drops to -3.9°C in January. Neither the heat of summer nor the cold of winter are too severe. The latitude of Dalian city is about the same as Sendai city in Japan. It can be said that the climate is comfortable for many Japanese people to live in.

Xiamen where you can enjoy the feeling of a tropical resort

Xiamen is located in the coastal area of ​​Fujian Province, located in the southeastern part of mainland China, with Taiwan just across the Taiwan Strait. With a population of approximately 3.73 million, it is designated as one of China's five major special economic zones.

The climate is warm throughout the year, and many tourists from Japan and abroad visit as a resort area.

Condominiums and apartments are being built in the city, but there are few real estate agents for foreigners, so it seems difficult to choose a property.

There are not many Japanese people in Amoy City, but if you look at it as a place to move to, it is relatively safe and has a mild climate, so it can be said that it is an area that can be recommended.

Chongqing, the world's largest city

Chongqing, an inland city in China, is one of only four direct-controlled municipalities in China. With a population of about 30.22 million, it is known as the largest city not only in China but also in the world. Japanese companies are also actively expanding into the market, including automobile manufacturers, parts manufacturers, and general trading companies.

In the city, skyscrapers with offices, commercial facilities, apartments, condominiums, etc. are lined up. While you can enjoy a convenient city life, you can also enjoy the great nature of the Yangtze River Basin just a short trip away. Pleasure boats that travel down the Yangtze River for several days are also popular with tourists.

Chongqing's climate is hot and humid in summer due to its basin. There will be days when the maximum temperature exceeds 40 degrees. Winters are relatively warm, but there are many rainy and cloudy days, so there are few hours of sunshine.

Immigrate to China in stages

I have explained the information about immigration to China, how was it? Even foreigners can obtain a permanent residence visa in China if the conditions are met.

Still, it is not easy to get a permanent residence visa and live a stable life in China. Let's go step by step and carefully recommend a migration plan.

At SEKAI PROPERTY, we deal directly with developers and can quickly provide accurate information, and we have multiple partnerships with local Japanese companies, so we can always obtain new information.

Please feel free to contact us if you are considering moving to China or investing in real estate.