-
−Visa-free policies
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−Visa application
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−Visa extension, change, reissuance
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−Online arrival card
-
−Customs clearance
-
−Invitation letters
-
−Accommodation registration
-
−Physical examination
-
−Consulates
-
−Exit-entry bureaus
-
−Visas
-
−Customs & arrival
-
−Online arrival card
-
−Customs clearance
-
-
−Residence permit
-
−Stay permit
-
−Exit-entry permit
-
−Permanent residence
-
−Required documents
-
−Invitation letters
-
−Accommodation registration
-
−Physical examination
-
-
−Useful info
-
−Consulates
-
−Exit-entry bureaus
-
-
−Banking
-
−Currency exchange
-
−Open a bank account
-
-
−Currency exchange
-
−Open a bank account
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−Payments
-
−Currency exchange
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−Open a bank account
-
−Public transport
-
−Metro
-
−Bus
-
−Ferry
-
-
−Metro
-
−Bus
-
−Ferry
-
−Personal mobility
-
−Get a driving license
-
−Ride a bike
-
-
−Get a driving license
-
−Ride a bike
-
−Mobility services
-
−Taxi
-
−Airplane
-
−Train
-
-
−Taxi
-
−Airplane
-
−Train
-
−Metro
-
−Bus
-
−Ferry
-
−Get a driving license
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−Ride a bike
-
−Taxi
-
−Airplane
-
−Train
-
−Mobile phone
-
−Get a SIM card
-
−Prevent security risks
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−Power banks
-
-
−Get a SIM card
-
−Prevent security risks
-
−Power banks
-
−Wi-Fi
-
−Popular apps
-
−Essential apps
-
−Apps for intl students
-
-
−Essential apps
-
−Apps for intl students
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−Get a SIM card
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−Prevent security risks
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−Power banks
-
−Essential apps
-
−Apps for intl students
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−Work permit
-
−Classification
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−Application guide
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−Other documents
-
-
−Classification
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−Application guide
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−Other documents
-
−Talent recognition
-
−Rights & benefits
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−Public holidays
-
−Leaves policies
-
−Fast Pass
-
−Unemployment insurance
-
−High-temperature allowance
-
−Work injuries
-
−Arbitration of labor disputes
-
-
−Public holidays
-
−Leaves policies
-
−Fast Pass
-
−Unemployment insurance
-
−High-temperature allowance
-
−Work injuries
-
−Arbitration of labor disputes
-
−Labor contract
-
−Signing
-
−Probationary period
-
−Service period
-
-
−Signing
-
−Probationary period
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−Service period
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−Resignation & termination
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−Career & professionals services
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−Shanghai List of Recognized Overseas Occupational Qualifications
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−Career guidance
-
−Useful websites
-
-
−Shanghai List of Recognized Overseas Occupational Qualifications
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−Career guidance
-
−Useful websites
-
−Classification
-
−Application guide
-
−Other documents
-
−Public holidays
-
−Leaves policies
-
−Fast Pass
-
−Unemployment insurance
-
−High-temperature allowance
-
−Work injuries
-
−Arbitration of labor disputes
-
−Signing
-
−Probationary period
-
−Service period
-
−Shanghai List of Recognized Overseas Occupational Qualifications
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−Career guidance
-
−Useful websites
-
−Medical services
-
−Medical consultation
-
−Hospitals
-
−Emergency
-
−Mental health
-
−Traditional Chinese medicine
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−Buy medicines
-
-
−Medical consultation
-
−Hospitals
-
−Emergency
-
−Mental health
-
−Traditional Chinese medicine
-
−Buy medicines
-
−Vaccination
-
−Rabies clinics
-
−Childhood vaccination
-
−Vaccination clinics
-
−Flu vaccine
-
−Digital vaccination certificate
-
-
−Rabies clinics
-
−Childhood vaccination
-
−Vaccination clinics
-
−Flu vaccine
-
−Digital vaccination certificate
-
−Health guides
-
−AED
-
−Blood donation
-
−Flu prevention
-
-
−AED
-
−Blood donation
-
−Flu prevention
-
−Medical consultation
-
−Hospitals
-
−Emergency
-
−Mental health
-
−Traditional Chinese medicine
-
−Buy medicines
-
−Rabies clinics
-
−Childhood vaccination
-
−Vaccination clinics
-
−Flu vaccine
-
−Digital vaccination certificate
-
−AED
-
−Blood donation
-
−Flu prevention
-
−Birth
-
−Marriage
-
−Bereavement
-
−Travel agencies
-
−Service centers
-
−Complaint handling
-
−Travel insurance
-
−Luggage storage
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−Citywide guide
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−At metro stations
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−In parks
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−In commercial zones
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−Cunzhiji service
-
-
−Citywide guide
-
−At metro stations
-
−In parks
-
−In commercial zones
-
−Cunzhiji service
-
−Ticketing guide
-
−Venue tickets
-
−Online booking
-
-
−Venue tickets
-
−Online booking
-
−Citywide guide
-
−At metro stations
-
−In parks
-
−In commercial zones
-
−Cunzhiji service
-
−Venue tickets
-
−Online booking
-
−Individual income tax
-
−Overview
-
−Annual settlement
-
−Tax benefits
-
−Special additional deductions
-
−Tax records
-
-
−Overview
-
−Annual settlement
-
−Tax benefits
-
−Special additional deductions
-
−Tax records
-
−Tax assistance
-
−Social insurance
-
−Overview
-
−Annual settlement
-
−Tax benefits
-
−Special additional deductions
-
−Tax records
-
−Basic Education
-
−Enrollment
-
−District policies
-
-
−Enrollment
-
−District policies
-
−Higher Education
-
−Scholarships
-
−Enrollment
-
−Study guide
-
−Safety guide
-
−Daily life
-
-
−Scholarships
-
−Enrollment
-
−Study guide
-
−Safety guide
-
−Daily life
-
−Tests & competitions
-
−HSK
-
−CSCA
-
−Competitions
-
-
−HSK
-
−CSCA
-
−Competitions
-
−Enrollment
-
−District policies
-
−Scholarships
-
−Enrollment
-
−Study guide
-
−Safety guide
-
−Daily life
-
−HSK
-
−CSCA
-
−Competitions
-
−Home & living
-
−Waste classification
-
−Courier services
-
−Housekeeping
-
−Utility bills
-
−Appliance care
-
-
−Waste classification
-
−Courier services
-
−Housekeeping
-
−Utility bills
-
−Appliance care
-
−Housing
-
−Buy a home
-
−Rent an apartment
-
-
−Buy a home
-
−Rent an apartment
-
−Pets
-
−Bring a pet to China
-
−Bring a pet out of China
-
−Get a dog license
-
−Pet adoption
-
−Rabies clinics
-
−Pet-friendly parks
-
−Take a train
-
−Take an airplane
-
-
−Bring a pet to China
-
−Bring a pet out of China
-
−Get a dog license
-
−Pet adoption
-
−Rabies clinics
-
−Pet-friendly parks
-
−Take a train
-
−Take an airplane
-
−Fitness
-
−Find a sports facility
-
−Swimming
-
−Soccer
-
−Jogging
-
−Cycling
-
−Climbing
-
−BMX
-
-
−Find a sports facility
-
−Swimming
-
−Soccer
-
−Jogging
-
−Cycling
-
−Climbing
-
−BMX
-
−Religious rituals
-
−Public service hotlines
-
−Waste classification
-
−Courier services
-
−Housekeeping
-
−Utility bills
-
−Appliance care
-
−Buy a home
-
−Rent an apartment
-
−Bring a pet to China
-
−Bring a pet out of China
-
−Get a dog license
-
−Pet adoption
-
−Rabies clinics
-
−Pet-friendly parks
-
−Take a train
-
−Take an airplane
-
−Find a sports facility
-
−Swimming
-
−Soccer
-
−Jogging
-
−Cycling
-
−Climbing
-
−BMX
-
−Refund-upon-purchase
-
−Policy guide
-
−Visual feature
-
−Service directory
-
−Pilot program
-
-
−Policy guide
-
−Visual feature
-
−Service directory
-
−Pilot program
-
−Departure tax refund
-
−Policy guide
-
−Port locations
-
−Service locations
-
-
−Policy guide
-
−Duty-free shopping
-
−Eligibility & access
-
−Store locations
-
−Purchase rules
-
−Purchase & pickup
-
−Travel rules
-
−Hours & contact
-
-
−Eligibility & access
-
−Store locations
-
−Purchase rules
-
−Purchase & pickup
-
−Travel rules
-
−Hours & contact
-
−Online shopping
-
−Getting started
-
−Taobao
-
−JD.com
-
−Pinduoduo
-
-
−Getting started
-
−Taobao
-
−JD.com
-
−Pinduoduo
-
−Port locations
-
−Service locations
-
−Policy guide
-
−Visual feature
-
−Service directory
-
−Pilot program
-
−Policy guide
-
−Port locations
-
−Service locations
-
−Eligibility & access
-
−Store locations
-
−Purchase rules
-
−Purchase & pickup
-
−Travel rules
-
−Hours & contact
-
−Getting started
-
−Taobao
-
−JD.com
-
−Pinduoduo
-
−Visa-free policies
-
−Visa application
-
−Visa extension, change, reissuance
-
−Online arrival card
-
−Customs clearance
-
−Invitation letters
-
−Accommodation registration
-
−Physical examination
-
−Consulates
-
−Exit-entry bureaus
Guide to opening a bank account
Whether you are doing business in China or planning to reside here, opening a bank account offers numerous advantages.
How to obtain a debit card
For expats working and living in China, obtaining a debit card issued by a Chinese bank can provide a multitude of conveniences.
Not only does it simplify the process of making deposits and withdrawals, but it also enables you to shop on Chinese websites and seamlessly connect with popular mobile payment platforms such as WeChat Wallet and Alipay.
The accepted visa types for opening a debit card bank account include: residence visa, resident foreign journalists visa, trade visa, long-term stay visa for visiting family members, talent visa, long-term private affairs visa, long-term study visa, employment visa, courtesy visa, or diplomatic visa.
Here is a general guide on how to apply for a debit card in China as an expat.
1. Choose a bank
In general, opting for larger banks with a wider network of outlets and convenient services can be advantageous in most situations.
Here are the customer service hotlines of some major banks, which you can contact for inquiries:
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China: 021-95588
- Agricultural Bank of China: 021-95599
- Bank of China: 021-95566
- China Construction Bank: 021-95533
- Bank of Shanghai: 021-95594
2. Prepare documents
Expats opening a debit card account in China need to provide the following materials:
(1) Identity certification documents
To open a debit card bank account in China, expats can generally present either a valid passport or a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card.
The Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card should have a validity period of at least one year, with an expiration date that is more than one month away.
(2) Chinese mobile phone number
This is to serve as the bank's reserved contact information. Please note that the number should be registered under a real name on the Chinese mainland.
(3) Others
In certain banks, additional documents may be required for opening a debit card bank account. These documents may include:
- Work certificate
- Tax identification number
- Proof of address
3. Handling process
Please select a time during regular business hours on a work day and take the aforementioned documents to a bank branch for manual processing.
While many bank outlets in China have set up smart teller service zones, the account opening process for expats remains relatively complex and can only be done through manual assistance at the bank counter. Therefore, before proceeding, please obtain a token number from the self-service ticketing machine located at the entrance of the bank branch and wait for your turn to be served.
When conducting the manual processing, please follow the instructions given by the bank teller and accurately and completely fill out the application form for personal account and general service.
Some banks may require an initial deposit to activate your account. Ensure you have enough funds for this step.
As per the regulations, it is also necessary to fill out and provide a signed Declaration of Personal Tax Residency Status document during the account opening process. This document is used by financial institutions to determine whether the account holder is a non-resident for tax purposes.
Update on Aug 22, 2025
Source: SHINE
Feel free to email us if you have any requests or suggestionsintlservices@shanghai.gov.cn