Guides · Updated July 2026

China Property & Visa Guides for Foreigners

Ten fact-checked guides covering everything from "can I even buy property here" to the fine print on 70-year leaseholds and WFOE company ownership. Start wherever your question is.

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Ten guides is a lot. Tell us your situation and we'll tell you exactly which ones matter for you — in the right order.

Do you already have a job offer or your own company in China?

Are you planning to buy property, or rent?

Are you moving with a spouse or children?

Your Reading List

Here's where to start

Property
Buying, renting, and what you actually own
🏠

Can Foreigners Buy Property in China? Yes — We Handle It

Eligibility rules, the 1-year residency requirement, the WFOE alternative, and the full step-by-step purchase process.

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🔑

Can Foreigners Rent in China Forever? Yes — No Need to Buy

Lease types, deposits, mandatory police registration, and why renting long-term is a completely valid strategy.

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🏙️

Best Cities in China for Foreigners to Buy Property

From $1M Shanghai apartments to $40K Yiyang homes — cities ranked by price, livability, and buyer eligibility.

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📜

The 70-Year Leasehold: What It Really Means

Automatic renewal, no loss of property, and why it's not the "time bomb" some articles make it sound like.

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Money
Mortgages, taxes, and what things actually cost
🏦

Can Foreigners Get a Mortgage in China?

Mostly no — Chinese banks rarely lend to foreigners without local income or residency. The real routes that work.

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🧾

Taxes and Fees When Buying Property as a Foreigner

Deed tax, registration fees, and every hidden cost — the full breakdown of what actually shows up at closing.

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Visas & Company Structures
Legal pathways to live, work, and hold property in China
📋

How to Move to China Legally: Visa Pathways

The four routes to long-term residency — WFOE work visa, employer Z-visa, student X-visa, and family S-visa.

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🛂

Is There a China Investment Visa? The Honest Answer

No golden visa exists. Here's what actually works instead — the WFOE pathway, explained without the sales pitch.

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Does Buying Property Give You a Visa?

No — unlike Portugal or Greece, China has no "golden visa" tied to real estate. Here's what buying property actually gets you.

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🏢

Company Ownership: How a WFOE Holds Property

How a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise can acquire and hold Chinese property — ideal for commercial real estate.

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Still not sure where to start?

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