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Living in Shanghai Expat Move: 4-Step Move-In Guide | Errands China

June 29, 2026 · EC Support

Disclaimer: General information only—not legal, immigration, or real-estate advice. Employer, PSB, and the lease decide. ErrandsChina coordinates on the ground in Shanghai. We are not a housing agency or the government.

Shanghai skyline, a common destination when moving from other cities in China
Shanghai from the Bund. Many moves from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, or other provinces start with a train and apartment visits. Photo: KUSHAGRA DHALL, Unsplash.

Last updated: 21 October 2026

Moving to Shanghai from another city in China

If you are already in mainland China (Hangzhou, Zhejiang, another province) and want to live in Shanghai, intercity travel is usually workable: high-speed rail, local metro, and apartment hunting in apps. There is no single published “closed door” for all foreigners; what slows people is housing, payments, work/residence permits, and whether you can be in the city to sign.

Four practical steps

  1. Housing. Wellcee (owner–tenant, often English), Ziroom (furnished, more standard contract), SmartShanghai / WeChat agents. The same flats get re-listed: compare and visit. If you cannot fly every weekend, someone on the ground can check the unit.
  2. Travel. Hangzhou–Shanghai by train is usually short. Foreigners: passport on 12306 / Trip.com / window. Guide: train tickets with a passport.
  3. Payments. Many landlords take WeChat/Alipay or transfer. A Chinese account helps for long stays. Setup: visa, bank, and WeChat Pay.
  4. Work and residence. If you change employer or city on a Z visa / residence, Labor and PSB set the order (cancel/issue permit, update residence, accommodation registration). Start early; there is no one timeline for everyone.

DIY vs on-the-ground help

Path Good for Limit
Apps / forums Listings and WeChat contacts No physical visit; language
Employer only Work permit Not always apartment hunting
Informal agent One-off tasks Little contract accountability
ErrandsChina Check the flat, bridge hotel, train, window We do not sign the lease for you or act as a realtor

Logistics

  • Chinese SIM: agents and apps almost always ask for it.
  • Hotel for the first days while you view flats; confirm they accept foreigners.
  • Accommodation registration when you move in (hotel or landlord → PSB).

Myth vs fact

Myth Fact
Shanghai is “closed” to foreigners from other cities Many people move in practice; check that day’s rules for your case
No Chinese bank means no rental Some take WeChat/Alipay with a foreign card; others want a local transfer
Only Chinese platforms exist Wellcee and SmartShanghai often have an English channel
Online-only signing always works Sometimes; visiting the flat is still safer

FAQ

Can I come now from Zhejiang or another province?

Domestic trains usually work without the old health restrictions. Confirm the ticket and your stay documents.

Ziroom or private landlord?

Ziroom: more standard, sometimes pricier. Private/Wellcee: more negotiation and more bad-visit risk.

Do I need a Chinese phone?

Almost always for WeChat with agents.

When ErrandsChina helps

Bridge hotel, train, apartment visits, Chinese questions to the agent. We do not negotiate your final rent or issue the work permit. Quote within one business day.

Request help with a Shanghai move

Related guides

Sources

  1. Wellcee
  2. SmartShanghai
  3. Ziroom
  4. Community forum reports (anecdotal)
  5. ErrandsChina guides linked above