China rewards local knowledge. A good HR specialist, tax advisor, and bilingual lawyer can prevent expensive mistakes with visas, leases, taxes, and employment termination.
Language options: English service is good in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and international hospitals, but Chinese-language capability is essential for government, landlords, police stations, banks, and courts.
Immigration agent
RMB 5,000-25,000+ depending complexity How to find: Employer HR, licensed visa agencies, chambers of commerce, and referrals from established expats.
Local exit-entry and foreign expert service centres
💡 Use agents who explain the exact city bureau process and document authentication requirements.
China employment lawyer
RMB 1,500-5,000/hour; fixed-fee contract review from RMB 3,000-12,000 How to find: International law firms, local Chinese law firms with labour teams, chamber legal committees.
Local lawyers associations
💡 Have contracts reviewed before signing, especially non-compete, probation, bonus, tax equalisation, and termination clauses.
Tax advisor / CPA
RMB 3,000-20,000 for annual filing support; more for cross-border advice How to find: Big Four, local tax firms, payroll providers, and expat-focused accountants.
💡 Choose someone who handles expat allowances, treaty positions, stock compensation, and outbound remittance documents.
Real estate agent
Often 35-100% of one month rent depending city and lease How to find: Lianjia, Ziroom, local agencies, compound referrals, relocation companies.
💡 Confirm who pays commission, whether the landlord can provide fapiao, and whether police registration is allowed.
Relocation consultant
RMB 10,000-60,000+ depending housing, school, immigration, and shipment scope How to find: Employer packages, Santa Fe, Asian Tigers, Crown, local relocation firms.
💡 Worth it for families needing school search, lease negotiation, and police registration help.
Translator / interpreter
RMB 200-800/page for certified translation; RMB 800-2,500/day interpreting How to find: Agency referrals, university departments, court-approved translation agencies.
💡 Use certified translation for official documents. Bring an interpreter for hospitals, police stations, and housing disputes.