Living · Expat Services
Expat services reference
Insurance, driving licences, tax, pension repatriation, and Mandarin language schools — practical reference for foreign nationals living in China.
Health Insurance
International health insurance products and brokers serving foreign nationals resident in mainland China, from major global insurers to boutique comparison services.
Bupa Global — China Expat Health Insurance
Bupa's international health insurance for expatriates in China, offering inpatient, outpatient, and evacuation cover via a network of partner hospitals.
Cigna International — China Expat Cover
Cigna's international health insurance range covering expatriates in China, with a substantial hospital network and strong employer-group product history in the market.
Allianz Care — China International Health Insurance
Allianz Care's international health insurance for expatriates in China, with modular plan design allowing customisation of benefit levels.
AXA International — China Expat Health Plans
AXA's range of international health insurance products marketed to expatriates in China, offered via AXA's global international division and China JV partnerships.
April International — China Expat Health Insurance
A French-headquartered international health insurer with strong presence in Asia, offering competitive international plans suited to expatriates in China.
Cigna & CMC Life — Local China Health Insurance
Cigna's licensed China domestic insurance joint venture, offering local-currency health products for expatriates seeking a mainland China-regulated policy.
MSH International — China Expatriate Insurance
MSH International is a specialist expatriate insurance manager with a strong China presence, administering group health schemes for multinational employers and NGOs.
Shanghai
Pacific Prime — Insurance Brokerage for China
A specialist expatriate insurance comparison broker with offices in China, helping individuals and employers compare and purchase international health, life, and travel insurance plans.
Integra Global — International Health Insurance China
A smaller specialist international health insurer with competitive premiums and flexible plan design, offering an alternative to the large insurer brands for China-based expatriates.
ABC Insurance Expat China — Local Supplemental Plans
A pattern overview of supplemental health insurance products offered by Chinese state-commercial insurers as low-cost supplements to mandatory social insurance for foreign employees.
Driving Licence Conversion
Practical guides to converting a foreign driving licence to a Chinese driving licence — required for all foreign nationals wishing to drive on mainland China roads.
UK Licence to Chinese Driving Licence — Conversion Route
Practical guide to converting a UK driving licence to a full Chinese driving licence for long-term residents in mainland China.
Australian Licence to Chinese Driving Licence — Conversion Route
Steps for Australian licence holders to obtain a Chinese driving licence for mainland China residency.
US Licence to Chinese Driving Licence — Conversion Route
How US driving licence holders resident in China obtain a Chinese driving licence, including the authentication requirements for state-issued US licences.
EU Licence to Chinese Driving Licence — General Conversion Guide
How European Union licence holders from any member state convert their licence to a Chinese driving licence for mainland residency.
Japanese Licence to Chinese Driving Licence — Conversion Route
The conversion process for Japanese licence holders seeking a Chinese driving licence, including the bilateral documentation requirements.
Tax & Compliance
Individual income tax compliance, advisory, and self-filing resources for expatriates subject to China's IIT system.
Big Four Firms — Personal Tax Services for Expatriates in China
An overview of personal tax advisory services for expatriates in China provided by Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG through their China-based human capital and mobility practices.
China Briefing — Tax and Business Compliance Information
A widely-read online resource for China business and tax regulatory information, published by Dezan Shira & Associates, providing accessible overviews of China's tax and compliance landscape.
Dezan Shira & Associates — China Expatriate Tax and HR Services
A specialist Asia-focused advisory firm offering personal tax compliance, payroll, HR, and company services for expatriates and foreign businesses throughout China.
China Expatriate Tax Advisers — Boutique and Independent Options
A pattern overview of smaller boutique firms and independent advisers serving the China expatriate tax market as alternatives to Big Four and large consultancy firms.
Chinese Individual Income Tax — Self-Filing Guide for Expatriates
A practical guide for expatriates to understand the Chinese IIT self-assessment process, the 个人所得税 app, and when professional advice is needed versus self-filing.
Pension & Repatriation
Guidance on social insurance refunds, totalization agreements, retirement savings planning, repatriation logistics, and tax clearance for departing foreign residents.
Social Insurance Refund on Leaving China
Foreign nationals who have contributed to China's mandatory social insurance system may be entitled to a lump-sum refund of pension contributions upon permanently leaving China.
China Pension Totalisation Agreements — Country Overview
China has bilateral social security totalisation agreements with a growing number of countries, allowing certain expatriates to avoid double social insurance contributions during their China assignment.
Retirement Savings Planning for US Expatriates in China
Considerations for US expatriates managing 401(k), IRA, and other US retirement accounts while working in China, including IRS rules and cross-border planning complexities.
Repatriation Shipping — Moving Household Goods out of China
A guide to the practicalities of shipping household goods out of China on departure, including customs requirements, recommended container sizes, and the role of specialist international removal companies.
China Tax Clearance on Departure for Expatriates
Foreign nationals leaving China after a significant employment period should understand IIT tax clearance obligations and how to ensure all obligations are settled before departure.
Mandarin Language Schools
Mandarin language schools and learning resources for adult expatriates in China, from established chain schools to boutique providers and online platforms.
Shanghai
Mandarin House — Mandarin Language School China
An established Mandarin-language school with branches in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, offering group classes, private tuition, and corporate Mandarin training for expatriates and professionals.
Beijing
That's Mandarin — Mandarin Language School Beijing and Shanghai
A technology-assisted Mandarin school with campuses in Beijing and Shanghai, known for its online learning platform and community-building approach to adult Mandarin learning.
Beijing
Hutong School — Mandarin and Culture, Beijing
A Beijing-based Mandarin and Chinese culture school offering language courses alongside immersive cultural programmes, internship placement, and HSK preparation.
Shanghai
Shanghai Boutique Mandarin Schools — Small-Group and One-to-One Providers
A pattern guide to smaller boutique Mandarin language providers in Shanghai, including home-tutor networks and small school offerings that complement or compete with established chain schools.
Online Mandarin Learning Platforms — China-Based Expat Edition
An overview of online Mandarin learning platforms and tools particularly useful for expatriates already in China who want to supplement classroom study or study independently.