Buying my own place: starting with the city
One property, for yourself only, and only where your status
A foreigner in China may purchase one apartment, for personal use only, residence, it cannot be rented out — and only in the city where the holder has esidence permit with the right to work or study, after one year of living there. There is no longer a single rule here: cities are diverging, and we first we check yours first, then search for a property.
Who it suits. For those who have lived in China for a year and are thinking about stopping renting. And for those convinced that buying property grants status — this is the most expensive a misconception about China.
What is included
- ⚠️ We check your city and your specific situation: Shanghai requires one year of taxes or social insurance, and allows a second property after three years of taxes; Beijing requires five years of social insurance and still limits you to one property
- We calculate whether you have completed a year of residency under a work or study permit
- Developer check, land title and land-use term verification
- Transaction support with interpreter and contract review
- We review the rules on moving money out: purchase and subsequent sale are subject to foreign exchange regulations
- ⚠️ We say it plainly: property in China confers no status, no renewal rights, and no permanent residence
What the package does not include
Paid separately and directly, with no markup from us.
- The purchase itself, taxes and transaction fees
- Mortgage: rarely available to foreigners, and not everywhere
- Renting out a purchased property: national rules prohibit this
- Status: property ownership does not grant it — these are separate packages
Russian nationals enter China visa-free for 30 days — from 15 September 2025, and the scheme has been extended through December 31, 2027. Entry is free, and that is precisely why people lose money here. The residence permit is a Chinese-style visa for residence — issued only to those who entered on a Z, X1, Q1, or S1 visa, and such a visa is obtained at a consulate abroad. Flying in ’scout things out and sort the paperwork on arrival’ won’t work: you’ll need to leave, to reapply and return. As for timelines, even Chinese agents themselves obtaining work status from abroad takes over three months procedures plus two months for documents and legalisation. We consider this calendar before you buy the first ticket, and we plan the route so that so that the trip is one, not three.
We check the city and your timeline, find a suitable property, verify the developer and contract, and manage the transaction with an interpreter.
Prices are in Chinese yuan and are all-inclusive — nothing is added on top. The dollar figure in brackets is for reference, based on a rate of $1 = ¥6.72. Chinese government fees are paid separately and directly: residence permit 400 ¥ for up to one year and 800 ¥ for one to three years, medical examination 480–500 ¥, permanent residence application 1,500 ¥. Russian consular legalisation costs approximately 8,540 ₽ per document. SVOY initial consultation — 600 ¥ ($89), credited in the cost of support. It is charged from the first minute: Chinese agencies offer a free call, but a free call is simply tory about services — and for that fee we analyse your situation and provide an itinerary with a calendar and budget.
Other points
Housing rental and purchase, documents, bank accounts and taxes, schooling, driving licence — 33 services in China, each has its own price.
Package «Buying my own place» · China
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The same package in another country
There is only one moment in life, but the documents, deadlines and costs are unique to each case: the rules are set by the country.