How to fly a drone in Shanghai

China's Interim Regulation on the Administration of the Flight of Unmanned Aircraft took effect on Jan 1 this year. According to the regulations, civilian drone owners are required to register their UAVs before flying them. You can use the "Suishenban 随申办" app or WeChat mini-program to complete the registration process with a few clicks.

How can I check the amount I have accumulated in my social security account?

A: You need to bring your insurance documents to the nearest district social security center to check the pension insurance payment status. You can inquire about the details of your account of housing provident fund for the past three years at the outlets of the Shanghai Provident Fund Management Center or those of the China Construction Bank, with any of the following valid identification – passport, residence permit, exit and entry permit, or other valid ID.

How do I get a pet out of China?

About a week to 10 days before your departure, submit all required documents, including the pet's health and vaccination records, the pet owner's identity information, and flight details, to Huangpu Customs online through the international trade single window to acquire an Animal Health Certificate.

How to book a medical check appointment if I don't have a Chinese phone number?

All bookings are currently managed through the WeChat account "SITHC-SHHG". However, for foreign students who are new to Shanghai and do not yet have access to WeChat, an external mailbox has been set up to assist you.

How much should I contribute to the housing provident fund?

If you work in Shanghai, don't forget to ask your company to set up and contribute to your housing provident fund. Here is an illustration to show you how much you should contribute to your housing provident fund. 

FAQs: Individual income tax annual settlement

The deadline for filing annual individual income tax (June 30) is approaching. Here are some frequently asked questions from expats. Make sure to file on time!

FAQs on visiting China visa-free

Thanks to several newly-implemented policies, an increasing number of foreigners are now able to visit China visa-free. The National Immigration Administration recently answered some of the frequently asked questions on visa-free entry.

How does an employer open a personal housing provident fund account?

If you hold a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, your employer can open a personal housing provident fund account online for you. The personal account will be contributed by monthly deposits by both employers and employees.

How can I withdraw social security contributions?

For those who leave the country before reaching the stipulated pension age, their individual social insurance accounts will be retained. If they return to China for employment, their contribution years will be accumulated.

Alternatively, upon a written application to terminate the social insurance relationship, the balance in their individual social insurance account can be paid out to them in a lump sum.

FAQs on Shanghai's immigration hotline

Officials of the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau answer some of the most frequently-asked questions on the 12367 hotline.