Living in Shanghai: the ultimate expat guide

All you need to know to enter Shanghai and settle in. Learn entry requirements, the documents you need, how to apply for a visa or residency, and tips to navigate the bureaucracy smoothly.

Shanghai is an economic powerhouse, hosting regional headquarters for multinational corporations and leading domestic companies across several industries.

Key employment sectors

Finance and banking are the main pillars of Shanghai's economy, with the Pudong district home to Chinese and foreign financial institutions. Technology companies are concentrated in areas like Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, creating demand for software engineers, data scientists, and product managers. Manufacturing sectors including automotive, electronics, and shipbuilding operate through Shanghai's port, one of the world's busiest. International schools and language centers provide teaching opportunities for foreign educators, while healthcare facilities seek specialists for expatriate-focused clinics.

Work culture and requirements

Shanghai's work environment places importance on hierarchy, formal business relationships, and concepts like guanxi (connections) and mianzi (face-saving). Workweeks often extend longer than Western standards. Most foreign professionals arrive through intra-company transfers or recruitment agencies that handle visa processing. Building connections through industry events is essential for success. Mandarin proficiency strengthens both career prospects and workplace relationships, while chambers of commerce and expat professional organizations offer valuable support networks.

Data correct as of December 2025.

Sources: Trading Economics, Numbeo

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Shanghai hosts prestigious universities that rank among China's top educational establishments and attract students from around the world.

Universities

There are several major universities in Shanghai offering courses for international students including Shanghai University, which has comprehensive programs across various disciplines, such as business, engineering, fine arts, and Chinese language studies. Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) specializes in languages and international relations, with China Studies programs taught in English. At East China Normal University, degrees range from undergraduate through doctoral levels, with support services for international students including orientation, language assistance, and cultural activities.

Application process and student life

To apply to a university in Shanghai, you will need to provide copies of your passport, academic transcripts, degree certificates and language proficiency scores. Sometimes, recommendation letters are required. Universities provide dormitory housing, though many students rent apartments independently. To obtain a student visa, you will need an admission letter from your university. International student offices assist with registration, residence permits, and campus integration.

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Expat children in Shanghai access high-quality education through three pathways: international schools for foreign passport holders, international or bilingual divisions within local schools, and, in more limited cases, public or private Chinese schools. The city is home to a large number of well-established institutions serving international families, with curricula representing multiple countries and education systems.

International schools

Among the options are Shanghai American School (SAS), which was founded in 1912, and operates two campuses offering education from PreK through Grade 12, making it one of China's largest and most established international schools. Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) serves families representing over 60 nationalities across its Hongqiao and Pudong campuses. Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi enrolls students from Early Years through Year 13, following the British curriculum.

Across the city, schools offer American curricula with Advanced Placement (AP) courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, British IGCSE and A-Level systems, as well as French and German options.

Enrollment process

Families typically submit an application along with developmental assessments for younger children or academic testing and school records for older students. Placement is based on age, academic history, and developmental readiness. The academic year generally runs from mid-August to mid-June across two semesters.

Shanghai's housing market includes everything from sleek high-rise apartments to traditional lane houses and older walk-up buildings.

Where expats live

Pudong, east of the Huangpu River, features contemporary developments near Lujiazui Financial District with modern towers, shopping malls, and dining options. Jing'an District combines a central location with tree-lined streets, international restaurants, and premium shopping centers. Changning attracts families with its concentration of international schools, spacious apartments, and proximity to the Hongqiao business district. French Concession areas retain historic charm with their art deco buildings, boutique shops, and café culture. Minhang District offers housing options further from the city center, popular with families prioritizing space and school access.

Rental process and rental costs

If you rent a property, you will typically have to pay a security deposit and the first month's rent upfront. Furnished apartments include appliances, furniture, and sometimes utilities. Landlords may require passport copies, employment verification, and reference letters. Tenants must register their residence with the local police within one day of moving in, by presenting the lease agreement and housing certificate.

Data correct as of December 2025.

Source: Numbeo

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Shanghai delivers endless cultural experiences spanning 5,000 years of Chinese history alongside contemporary international offerings. The Shanghai Museum, with locations at People's Square and Shanghai Museum East, houses cultural relics including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, and paintings. China Art Museum, housed in the distinctive China Pavilion from Expo 2010, showcases modern Chinese art collections and recreations of the legendary painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival."

Parks, entertainment and nightlife

Green spaces provide respite from the urban hustle and bustle, with Shanghai Expo Culture Park in Pudong offering landscaped gardens and cultural facilities. Guilin Park draws locals who practice opera, play mahjong, and hold bird singing contests each morning. Shanghai Disneyland incorporates Chinese cultural elements throughout its themed areas. The Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center feature observation decks with sweeping city views, while the historic Bund waterfront showcases colonial-era architecture along the Huangpu River.

Arts, dining and shopping

Tianzifang neighborhood features narrow alleyways lined with Shikumen-style architecture, boutique shops, art galleries, cafés, and restaurants. M50 Creative Park houses contemporary art galleries in former industrial buildings. Museums like the Shanghai Natural History Museum and Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center offer insights into the city's evolution. Nightlife ranges from rooftop bars overlooking Pudong's skyline to underground music venues.

Dining options span street food stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants. Markets, shopping districts, and artisan workshops in neighborhoods like Xintiandi and Jing'an blend commerce with culture.

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Shanghai’s streets are alive with constant motion—delivery drivers navigating traffic, street vendors grilling skewers, and locals shopping at bustling morning markets. Sidewalks fill with commuters heading to work, elderly residents practicing tai chi in parks, and groups gathered around mahjong tables. Neighborhoods vary dramatically: modern shopping districts transition to traditional lane houses where laundry hangs overhead and neighbors chat outside. Convenience stores operate 24/7, while food delivery drivers bring everything from noodles to upscale meals directly to apartment doors..

Getting around

Beyond the extensive metro system, Shanghai has a broad bus network connecting areas the subway doesn’t reach. The Maglev train links Pudong International Airport to Longyang Road station in under ten minutes. Taxis are widely available and affordable through ride-hailing apps like Didi, though rush-hour traffic can be heavy. Bike-sharing companies such as Hellobike, Meituan, and Qingju offer eco-friendly transport for short trips. Ferries crossing the Huangpu River provide scenic connections between eastern and western districts.

Cultural habits and practicalities

Basic Mandarin helps in interactions, though English signage appears in the metro, international restaurants, and major shopping areas. Dining ranges from casual noodle shops to Michelin-starred restaurants, with delivery apps widely used. Air quality varies seasonally, and international clinics offer English-speaking healthcare, while public hospitals often require patience and translation assistance if you do not speak Mandarin.

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The cost of living in Shanghai ranks among China's highest, though overall expenses remain substantially lower than major Western metropolises like London or New York.

Monthly expenses for a single person

Data correct as of December 2025.

Monthly expenses for a family of four

Data correct as of December 2025.

Sources: Numbeo, Wise