Work In Guangzhou

Guangzhou, the country's third largest city (after Shanghai and Beijing) with a colorful economy and numerous leading industries, has undoubtedly become one of the favorite destinations for many expats in China. For foreigners who want to work in Guangzhou, there are many professional job opportunities, but it's best to start with the industry with the most employment potential.

Job opportunities in Guangzhou

As the third largest city in China and one of the richest, Guangzhou's vast business and manufacturing sector has become a strong part of China's growing economy. Guangzhou's main manufacturing industries include textiles, small home appliances, machinery, porcelain and other goods, which are not only supplied to other parts of China, but also sold to other parts of the world. Guangzhou has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and a higher standard of living than many other cities in the country. Because of the country's prosperity and international significance, it is a popular location for expats to work in China.

How to find a job in Guangzhou

Expats in Guangzhou are more likely to be employed in technology, trade, industry and tourism. In addition to this, as Guangzhou becomes more and more international, there are more and more jobs in the service sector, including hotels and restaurants, where more and more foreigners are employed. There is also English language media, both print and digital, where some foreigners have found new job opportunities.

There have always been opportunities to work in the teaching field. That said, the competition is also much higher than in second-tier cities due to the city's popularity among expats.

To start looking for a job in Guangzhou, you can do so by scouring local expat job sites and forums, reading job ads in English newspapers, and spontaneously sending out job applications to companies in the same industry, locally or internationally. Attending professional job fairs and trade shows can also provide plenty of job opportunities. It is important to note that when applying for a job, it would be very useful to know or at least understand Mandarin or Cantonese.

Every year in spring and autumn, Guangzhou hosts the largest Canton Fair in China. With 50 product categories, the Canton Fair brings together buyers and sellers from around the world, with the most prominent local businesses booking their booths months in advance. The Canton Fair offers expats plenty of opportunities for part-time work (as translators, presenters, demonstrators, marketers, etc.), but it's also a great place to find full-time jobs with some of China's most influential companies.

How to work in Guangzhou?

In order to work in Guangzhou, you need to enter the country on a specific work visa, but once in Guangzhou, you need to convert to a residence permit within 30 days of your arrival in China. If you have only arranged temporary accommodation before you work in Guangzhou, you can update your address when you apply for a residence permit. There are several bureaus in the city that can issue a residence permit, and the cost of the permit varies for different nationalities. Your employer should be able to help you with your application, give you the best advice on how to process your residence permit, and of course more often than not, they'll be there with you to help, especially with language problems.