Live In China As A Foreigner

Even while China offers many possibilities for internationals, there are also many dangers for those who don't play by the rules. Cutting corners, taking shortcuts, or bending the rules might be quite enticing, but they can come back to bite you in devastating ways. Here are several dangers that you, as a foreigner in China, should avoid at all costs.

Incorrect Visa Status

In order to travel safely in China, foreigners must avoid making the first and most consequential mistake of all: obtaining the incorrect visa. It's the cornerstone of your existence here, and if you don't have the correct visa you might be deported at any time.

Maybe you can find an employer who will let you work on a business visa. Perhaps you're thinking of starting a business and believe you can get by with a tourist visa until things get rolling. There was a time when you could get away with this in China, but the country is now considerably tighter on visas, making such an attempt futile. Time and again, we've seen that foreign nationals who violate visa regulations face severe consequences, even if they were unaware of the restrictions they were infringing.

However, if you try your luck and don't get caught, you'll still leave a gap on your resume. You have to walk a fine line between being honest about your work history with a prospective employer and letting them know that you have previously worked illegally if you ever want to apply for a position that would provide you a valid working visa.

To avoid taxation

Obtaining the proper visa is an essential first step, but it is not sufficient to ensure compliance with China's work regulations. You should also make sure you're paying the appropriate amount of tax.

Some dishonest businesses may try to trick you into making them rich by convincing you to help them avoid paying taxes, while others may seem as if they have nothing to worry about. One way or another, it's up to you to make sure your tax affairs are in order. Even while it may seem like the corporation should be responsible, in the end, you will be the one to pay the price for any mistakes they make.

While it's true that nobody enjoys parting with additional cash each month due to taxes, the government has been increasingly tightening down on tax avoidance in recent years, so you may want to think twice about how you go about doing it. If you are found trying to avoid the draft, you might face severe financial consequences.

Taxes aren't the worst thing ever. Social insurance and the housing provident fund are two government systems available to taxpaying foreigners in China. These funds may be used to cover the costs of medical treatment and housing, respectively.

Being Uninsured

Anyone who has been in China for any length of time has probably heard of a situation when an expat was hospitalized and the community rallied to help pay for their care. Even more tragic is the realization that, with health insurance, this tragedy might have been prevented.

Some expats in China may not be able to afford health insurance, but others may get by just fine with a little careful planning. The cheapest annual plan is just 6,000 RMB, providing you with financial security in the event of an illness or accident. It's a lot preferable to not having to depend on community generosity to cover your hundreds of thousands of yuan in medical expenditures.