Residents » Overview » Before You Arrive

Congratulations on your decision to move to Shanghai! The process requires various administrative hurdles, so make sure your visa and work plans are in order. Ship any necessary items, but remember – pretty much everything can be purchased in Shanghai (except deodorant and good cheese) so feel free to leave unnecessary items behind. Here are some of the things to consider before you leave for Shanghai:

• Make sure you have all necessary documentation for your pet, visa, children's school applications and job search.

• Apply for an entry visa into the country for you and your family.

• Organise your finances, and check the status of tax and your pension.

• Send change of address notices to banks, credit card companies, etc.

• Consider renting out your home property – many Shanghai expats live off tenants back home.

• Contact Shanghai's schools before you arrive – most international schools have very long waiting lists.

• Buy a book or a CD on Mandarin Chinese – knowing a few phrases off the bat goes a long way.

• Check to make sure your medical insurance covers you here – if not, buy expatriate health insurance or temporary travel insurance.

• Start searching Shanghai's job sites or contact interesting companies to get a feel for what's out there.

• Keep an inventory of all your packed, shipped, or stored items.