How to travel to China on your own

How to move from Russia for permanent residence to China

If you have often traveled to this country and read reviews of Russian immigrants, then you want to move for a long time. But for this you need to take many actions.

First you need to apply for a visa. It is issued in specialized structures of the People's Republic of China. The following types are available here:

• diplomatic;
• official;
• ordinary.

In turn, the last category can be divided into 9 marks. They are marked with letters depending on the length of stay in the country and age category, but there may be a combination with numbers (J-1 or J-2).

What documents are required to obtain a visa:

• international passport;
• photo 3.3 cm wide and 4.8 cm long;
• a questionnaire filled out according to standards.

“When booking a visa, you need to pay $80 before leaving the country. If you are moving to Beijing or Shanghai, it is possible to obtain a permit on the spot, but for this you will have to pay $150.”

Now you need to apply for a residence permit.
The main advantage of the document is the opportunity to legally reside in the country and have the same rights as local residents, with the exception of participation in election events and receiving some social privileges. But first, the future citizen of the People's Republic of China will be granted a temporary residence permit, which can be valid for up to 5 years. The first document is valid for a year, and after a year it is updated again. After three or five years (depending on the basis), you can get a permanent residence permit. Thanks to him, he gains significantly more rights, becoming almost a full-fledged resident of the Celestial Empire.

What you need to do to move to China and live legally:

1. Submit an application for permanent residence. This document will be reviewed for 6 months.
2. Be a law-abiding citizen and have no tax arrears.
3. Consistently work according to high qualifications. Such personnel are valuable for the development of the Chinese economy.
4. If the move was made together with a spouse or minor child (children), they also need to apply for a permanent residence permit and comply with the rules of the country.
5. Pensioners only need to live for 5 years without moving to other countries, or after registering with close relatives.

How much does an independent trip to China from Russia cost?

Let's calculate how much a trip to China costs for two for 10 days when departing from Moscow:

• Single entry visa - $52.
• Flights from Moscow to Beijing and back - from $586. Find a ticket >>
• Hotel in the center of Beijing in low season - $130. Find a hotel >>
• Meals at eateries for locals - $120.
• Insurance - $23.
• Transport and attractions - approximately $200.

So, how much does it cost to travel to China on your own? The minimum cost of the trip, if you are willing to save money, is approximately $1,111 for two for 10 days.

If you are used to living comfortably, then the trip will cost approximately $1,711 for two (accommodation in a 3* hotel - $250 and meals in cafes and restaurants - $600). We spent $1,500 a month for two of us.

Fragment of a 100 yuan bill (Photo: super.heavy / flickr.com)

Emigration to China

What categories of citizens want to emigrate:

• representatives of all forms of business. To transfer a successful business to the international level, permanent relocation is possible. Moreover, the Chinese government welcomes investment in their country;
• personnel with medium and high qualifications in a certain specialty. In such cases, internships are carried out followed by the opportunity to work in China. But you need to look only for Russian verified groups with a list of current works;
• students. If Russian education is not attractive, there is an opportunity to enroll in China. In addition, they receive additional benefits after emigration;
• citizens studying China at a scientific level. Those who don’t have enough theory can try to study the life of the country in practice, or work as a guide or translator;
• future husbands or wives of the Chinese. For this category, the power happily opens all borders. The Chinese believe that mixed marriages produce beautiful children;
• those over 60. Strange as it may sound, among the first arrivals for permanent residence were pensioners. The reason is quite understandable - they have completed their work experience, they have seen enough of everything, now they can look at the world around them for the rest of their lives and die peacefully;
• representatives of volunteer organizations and church communities. Many Chinese, especially from the southern regions, continue to live in poverty, so compassionate foreigners often go to help them.

Relocation of pensioners and minors

Persons over 60 years of age have the right to move to China if they are dependents of Chinese citizens or foreigners who have obtained permanent residence. At the same time, it must be proven that there is no one in their homeland who could take care of them.

In order for a child to move to the Middle Kingdom, both parents are required to submit applications for a residence permit. If the father or mother is absent, then the reason is documented. When divorcing, you need a power of attorney from the parent who remains in Russia, translated into Chinese and certified by a notary.

Immigration in China

The number of migrants increases every year. And this is despite the complicated procedures for obtaining permanent residence. Curiosity arises as to why the country is so tempting.

They come here thanks to the following advantages of immigration:

• the opportunity to get a well-paid job. Teachers of English and other languages ​​that originated in Europe are in particular demand;
• many monuments and historical sites that highlight the greatness of Chinese culture;
• independence from global financial crises and improvement of the economic situation. The automobile industry and tailoring of various quality bring such huge profits that the Republic of China has the opportunity to regulate the market independently, which the authorities take advantage of;
• food, household appliances, textiles and public transport costs are lower than in European countries;
• Economy class apartments are inexpensive;
• you can safely wander the streets alone, crime here is minimal;
• Doctors teach people to be treated only with natural remedies, without antibiotics. However, in severe diseases, such an advantage is very doubtful;
• All canteens serving Chinese and international cuisine are located within walking distance from your place of residence. Buses run from early morning until late evening, regularly traveling even from the suburbs to big cities.

But every coin has another side. Many foreigners experience culture shock due to some of the daily habits of the Chinese, which can provoke them to return to their homeland.

The main disadvantages noted in the reviews:

• The very large area of ​​industrial production and its chemical pollution have created smog in all megacities, as well as a general environmental disaster. The sun is not visible in clear weather, and local residents wear respiratory masks. The head of government continues to fight, but so far with varying success;
• For drivers, driving rules are conditional. They can sound the horn from head to toe, calmly drive through a red light, hitting a person without any remorse. For migrants, simply crossing the street turns into a game of survival.

“The lack of ethics on the roads is explained by Eastern morals, as well as by the fact that the authorities gave the right to acquire your own car relatively recently, in the 1990s.”

• The Internet network operates at a reduced speed. To increase it, you will need to pay a lot of yuan and is only available in large cities;
• Smoking rules in public places are not popular. Therefore, people who do not associate with tobacco will have to resign themselves or choose another country;
• some indifference to public order. Chinese children constantly turn alleys into public toilets and are not scolded for it;
• specific Chinese cuisine. But this minus turns into a plus when she starts to like her;
• When moving with your family or after registering an official marriage with a local resident, be prepared for the fact that you are only allowed to have two children. To create a large family means to subject yourself to fines.

Which region to go to

Beijing

It’s easy to fly to Beijing at any time of the year, stay from $40 in a small hotel near Tiananmen Square and a huge park nearby, dedicated to the Temple of Heaven. Nearby is the Pearl Market, where it is always interesting to dig around in search of electronics, jewelry, bags, etc. Bargaining is appropriate - divide all prices by at least 4.

Another option is to live in the Yabaolu Wholesale District area. There are thousands of stores there, aimed at wholesale buyers from the CIS. I once lived in the 4-star Ritan international hotel right in the Zhitan shopping complex. It was interesting to combine shopping, work and life. The internet was fast enough for webcasting. Rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows offer city views. Price at the hotel desk is $180 per night with breakfast. The area is full of Russian restaurants with familiar food.

While in Beijing, it is worth seeing the Great Wall of China, the Emperor's Palace, the Temple of Heaven (Thin Than), taking the subway, and walking through the wholesale markets. I felt safe everywhere.

South of the country

When traveling around China, you should definitely live in the south of China; it will greatly change your overall impression of the country. You can live in the small million-plus city of Gui Lin or surrounded by shaggy mountains - the city of Yang Shuo. Everywhere in southern China is humid, warm and full of juicy mangoes. A huge number of routes start from there. You can visit caves and rivers under the mountains, climb a waterfall, float down a river, visit tea plantations and buy the best pu-erh in the world. And after lunch, for example, work at a hotel. The time with Kiev differs by 5 hours, with Moscow - by 4, so you have a head start. Accommodation prices in Gui Lin are lower than in Beijing. You can stay in decent hotels from $50. I'm sure you can find it cheaper.

Sichuan Province

It is worth going to live for some time in Sichuan province, in the city of Chengdu. A huge metropolis with skyscrapers. You can stay in a hotel in the center from $70 with breakfast and Wi-Fi. The food here is quite spicy due to the excessive humidity. It is worth seeing the reserve with pandas (Panda - Xiong Mao, literally bear-cat in Chinese). By the way, this is one of the few places on earth where you can see pandas live. You should also definitely visit the park with the tomb of Jugelian, an outstanding hero of China, usually depicted with a Halberd. In general, it is worth considering Chengdu as a temporary place due to the high humidity and lack of direct sunlight.

Guangzhou is an industrial city. I would call it an exhibition plant. I don’t recommend living or staying in this city for a long time. The sun and stars do not appear in the sky as smog hangs over the city. Despite all the beauty of the parks and the modernity of many areas, especially the central ones, there are no birds in the city.

Hong Kong

A must-have travel destination. I recommend everyone to live there for some time. Experience the full nightlife, street discos, the roar of Ferraris and Lamborghinis on the streets of the city, etc. You can live expensively and very expensively

Central hotels are a combination of miniature and sadism towards guests, but tolerable. There is fast internet, Youtube, Facebook. The city strongly motivates to live and create. The ideal place to find the most unusual connections in the field of financial tycoons, startupers and other unrecognized geniuses. Lots of beautiful Asian-European women. Everyone speaks English, which is very nice after mainland China.

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit in China

Who and how can go to live in China from the Russian Federation:

• cooperation with a Chinese company or the government itself (if the contract is for many years to come);
• registered cohabitation with a Chinese man or Chinese woman;
• moving to immediate family;
• expanding your own business;
• large legal investments for China;
• student at a Chinese university;
• other moments documented.

“Purchased housing does not guarantee consent to the issuance of a residence permit and citizenship. And then, most foreigners need to move to temporary hostels or hotels for at least a year with a residence permit (people doing business and investing in the capital of the country are an exception).”

Prices

100 dollars is approximately 615 yuan. The price of a can of cola is 3 yuan, a plate of rice is 5 yuan, a taxi is 4 yuan per 1 km, copies of brand dresses are 150 - 300 yuan, normal hotels with Wi-Fi are from 250 yuan, metro is 2 yuan, train tickets around country - from 150 yuan. A card with a local number and 400 minutes costs 200 yuan ($25).

Total, a month of living in China will cost you if you live in hotels (approximately in dollars):

» Airfare – $1000, insurance – $70.

The minimum period for which you should travel is a month. You can stay longer if you wish.

As you can see, prices vary greatly depending on the city and region, and if Hong Kong is not affordable for you, you can safely choose another place and go to Hong Kong for the weekend.

Documents for residence permit

The questionnaire is ready. Now collect a set of documents confirming your status:

• international passport with recent dates of receipt (new or replaced no earlier than 12 months ago);
• an identity document from the country of citizenship;
• photo in color 3x4, 6 pieces;
• data on the absence of criminal offenses;
• a certificate confirming legal entry and tax reporting (can be replaced with a bank statement);
• visa;
• certificate with the results of a medical examination;

“Severe viral diseases, alcoholism or drug addiction can be a significant reason for refusal to issue a residence permit”

• data on family composition (concerns reunification with relatives or old people);
• certificate of marriage or divorce;
• cooperation agreement with Chinese authorities.

Individual agreements may also be added to the main list. All certificates must be in Chinese, previously verified by a notary. Google translator can be a bad help, so contact companies that provide professional translation.

The Chinese authorities may ask for additional documents, the list of which will depend on the immigration program.

Afterwards you need to wait 30 days for accreditation with local state security authorities. If in doubt, they may call you for a closed conversation.