Seres Immigration

The Journal

Practical guides and firsthand perspective on moving to China — visas and residence permits, retirement routes, cost of living, and what daily life is really like for foreigners who settle here.

Healthcare in China for Foreigners: Who Is Covered
Featured Story

Healthcare in China for Foreigners: Who Is Covered

Employed foreigners in China are enrolled in public medical insurance by law, whatever their passport. Most retirees are not. Here is who is covered.

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China Residence Permit Expiring? Your Four Options

China Residence Permit Expiring? Your Four Options

China residence permit running out? The four routes open to you, the 30-day filing deadline, and which records each route needs.

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Registering Your Address in China Just Got Easier

Registering Your Address in China Just Got Easier

From September 21, 2026 you can register your address with the police online anywhere in China. The 24-hour deadline, and who is allowed to file it.

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Cost of Living in China: A 2026 Budget for Foreigners

Cost of Living in China: A 2026 Budget for Foreigners

What a month in China really costs a single person, city by city: rent, food, transport and the extras most budgets miss. 2026 figures in yuan and dollars.

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Is China Actually Safe to Live In?

Is China Actually Safe to Live In?

China scores 93/100 on Gallup's Law and Order Index, and criminal cases fell 16.5% in the first half of 2026. An honest read for people planning a move.

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Do You Need an Agency to Move to China?

Do You Need an Agency to Move to China?

Your employer's HR handles the visa, then stops. Nobody checks whether your working years count toward permanent residence — until it's too late to fix.

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Best Cities to Live in China as a Foreigner: Tier-1 Pros & Cons (2026)

Best Cities to Live in China as a Foreigner: Tier-1 Pros & Cons (2026)

The best place to live in China depends on budget, climate and how much English you need. Compare Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou side by side.

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Temporary vs. Permanent Residence in China: What's the Difference?

Temporary vs. Permanent Residence in China: What's the Difference?

Settling in China starts with a residence permit and ends with the Green Card. How the two differ in duration, rights and difficulty, and how you move up.

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The Silver Visa: A Legal Guide to Retiring in China (2026 Update)

The Silver Visa: A Legal Guide to Retiring in China (2026 Update)

China has no retirement visa, but three routes work: the Q1 family visa, the private-affairs permit, and permanent residence. See who qualifies for each.

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The Middle Kingdom Isn't Just a Visit: A Practical Guide to Living Long-Term in China

The Middle Kingdom Isn't Just a Visit: A Practical Guide to Living Long-Term in China

Once a tourist visa isn't enough, here's your roadmap to living in China long term: the Work route, the Family route, and permanent residence.

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The Walled Garden, Cashless Payments, and the Language Barrier: 3 Pain Points for First-Time China Visitors

The Walled Garden, Cashless Payments, and the Language Barrier: 3 Pain Points for First-Time China Visitors

China blocks Google, barely takes foreign credit cards, and writes only in characters. Three pain points for first-time visitors — and how to prepare.

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3 Types of People Who Should Think Twice Before Moving to China

3 Types of People Who Should Think Twice Before Moving to China

Moving to China can be an incredible adventure, but it isn't for everyone. Here are three types of people who may want to reconsider before making the move.

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3 Archetypes Who Thrive in China: Why Retirees, Digital Nomads, and Sinophiles Find Their Perfect Fit

3 Archetypes Who Thrive in China: Why Retirees, Digital Nomads, and Sinophiles Find Their Perfect Fit

Retirees, digital nomads, and Sinophiles thrive in China on affordability, high-tech convenience, and cultural depth. Why these three groups fit so well.

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Living in China: What Western Expats Won't Tell You (2026)

Living in China: What Western Expats Won't Tell You (2026)

Is living in China as a Westerner what you expect? Three things expats rarely say out loud about safety, careers, and belonging, updated for 2026.

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