Shenzhen is known as the “Silicon Valley of hardware” in China — it's the city where a lot of local and international companies choose to set up manufacturing bases for their high-tech projects. The city is also known for its large number of startups, makers' hubs and design studios.
Shenzhen is open to foreign talent and offers expats an abundance of opportunities to grow professionally. You will have a higher chance of landing a job here if you work in technical fields like IT, product design, engineering, and so on.
Important:
Since the COVID-pandemic, traveling to China and applying for the necessary documents has become substantially more complicated. Therefore, keep in mind that even if you secure a job offer in Shenzhen, you may need to wait until the situation changes before traveling to the country.
Shenzhen economy
Shenzhen is one of China's Special Economic Zones (SEZs), established as part of the 'opening to the world' initiative in the '80s. Once a small fishing village, the city has since been attracting more and more foreign investments and partnerships, accelerating its economic growth. The city recorded a GDP of RMB 3 trillion ($471 billion) in 2021.
Shenzhen is famous for its strong technological base and hosts several business parks, such as the Shenzhen Software Park, which is integrated into the Shenzhen Hi-Tech Industrial Park. The area has a particular focus on electronics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical production, construction materials, industrial grips, medicine, research and development, as well as the manufacturing of telecommunications equipment and automotive parts.
The city is home to one of the country's most active ports, with ferries departing to neighboring Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau. This opens work opportunities in logistics, trade and other related fields.
A lot of international companies have their offices in Shenzhen. Plus, the coyote headquarters some of China's biggest and most famous enterprises like Tencent, Huawei, BYD, ZTE, and others.
Shenzhen has its own stock exchange, with more than 600 companies, millions of registered investors, and nearly one million transactions per day.
Shenzhen job market
Known as China's “Silicon Valley”, Shenzhen is one of the best cities to find work in high-tech industries. It's one of the most successful Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in China, known for its strong focus on innovation and design. There are over 14,000 tech companies based in Shenzhen — many of which are keen on hiring expat professionals. So, if you work in IT, web development, engineering, industrial design, gaming, etc., you will find a lot of job opportunities in the city.
Shenzhen is home to a lot of e-commerce and trading companies. As these companies mainly work for export, they often hire expats to work in marketing, sales, copywriting, social media management, and other related areas to improve communication with foreign clients due to the quality of their presence on international markets.
Like most cities in China, expats in Shenzhen generally have a good chance of getting a job in education, especially English teaching. Language teaching is often the best way “to get a foot in the door” in the local job market. To get a job in English teaching, you will often need a TEFL certificate and a Bachelor's degree in the related field. However, with the introduction of the “double reduction” policy in 2021 (which aims to reduce the burden of extracurricular activities for Chinese students), a number of English training centers in the city have closed down. This means that the opportunities for English teaching in Shenzhen are currently limited.
As Shenzhen is just about 30 minutes away from Hong Kong, you may also find work opportunities in the neighboring city. In fact, some expats commute to work in Hong Kong while living in Shenzhen, as the living costs here are substantially lower.
Job hunting in Shenzhen
If you are job hunting in Shenzhen from outside China, the best place to start is online. Lots of websites specialize in bringing together expats and employers in Shenzhen. Check out websites such as Echinacities, HiredChina, ChinaTeachingJobs, JobsDB, NowShenzhen, etc.
Another useful tool in remote job hunting is social media. Make sure your Linkedin account is fully updated and indicates that you are open to new opportunities. It is also a good idea to change your Linkedin location to Shenzhen or Hong Kong so that your profile is more visible to employers and headhunters in the city.
If you are an experienced professional, your job search will be more efficient if you go through a hiring agency. There are a number of agencies in Beijing that specialize in matching expats with employers in the city, including Michael Page, Robert Half Talent Solutions, Link Management Consulting, etc. You can also find a lot of recruiting agencies and recruitment consultants in Shenzhen on Linkedin.
Yet another way to go about your job search is to contact potential employers directly. You can look up companies in your field with offices in Shenzhen and check their website for potential employment opportunities. You can also reach out to their HR departments and inquire if there are any openings in the department you want to work in.
You can also check with employers in your home country. A lot of international companies have representative offices in Shenzhen — this is especially true of tech companies. Finding a job in your home country first and then exploring relocation options may be one of the best ways to have job security in the city. Additionally, foreign companies typically provide their employees with generous relocation packages that include perks such as moving costs, accommodation, living expenses, education for children, tickets to fly back home for holidays, and more.
Before you set out on your job search in China, make sure to download the WeChat app. It's the number one app in China with over 900 million users and is used for most online communication in the country. WeChat is primarily a messenger app, but you can also use it for work calls, sharing documents, holding online meetings, setting up work group chats, and more. WeChat is also a social media, shopping and contactless payment tool.
If you want to search for work and you are already in Shenzhen, you can still do all of the above. Note. However, that to work in China legally, you will need to apply for a work permit and residence, and the only way to do that is from outside of China. So, if you secure a job offer, you will need to travel back home and apply for a work visa before you can start your employment.
Important:
Currently, you can only travel to China if you have a valid residence permit. You will also need to undergo a quarantine on your arrival. Check the latest entry requirements to the country before making any travel plans.
How to apply for a job in Shenzhen?
Applying for a job in Shenzhen is similar to what your job application process would look like in any other city. You will need to have your resume and cover letter ready when you start your job hunt. If you are applying for a position in an international company or a job that doesn't have a Chinese language requirement, you can send your application in English. However, if you do speak Chinese, make sure to mention this in your application. If you have an advanced knowledge of the Chinese language, it will definitely work to your advantage to add copies of your resume and cover letter in Chinese.
The next step in the application process will be a message or call from the hiring manager or your future employer. As we've mentioned above, make sure you download the WeChat app, as a lot of communication in China — including work communication — happens on the app. In fact, it's a good idea to add your WeChat ID to your application so that your potential employer can get in touch with you quickly.
If the employer is interested in your application, you will next go through a round of interviews. Note that if you are applying for work in a large company, you may need to interview with several department heads at different levels. If you are applying for work in a smaller company or startup, one or two interviews will probably suffice.
How to apply for a work visa to China?
The only way to work in China legally is to apply for a work permit. This is a three-step process:
- First, you need to apply for a work permit
- Second, you will need to obtain a PU a letter
- Finally, you can apply for the work visa itself.
All work visas in China are classified into three categories: Class A (high-level talent), Class B (professional personnel) and Class C (non-technical and service workers hired for seasonal/temporary projects). The eligibility requirements and the application process may differ depending on the class of the working visa you are applying for.
The first thing you will need to start the job application process is to get a job offer from a company located in China. You will also need to make sure that your employer is capable of sponsoring your work visa. There are special requirements for companies in China that want to employ foreigners, and your employer will need to meet these requirements to provide you with a visa.
Once you have secured a work contract, you will need to ask your employer to send you an official invitation (work permit notice). You may also need to obtain a PU letter, an invitation issued by the China Foreign Affairs Office. As of June 15, 2022, if you are applying for a work visa from the United States, Austria, Croatia, Czech, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and South Korea. As the letter requirements change frequently, make sure to check with your local Chinese embassy or consulate whether you need a PU letter to apply for a work visa to China.
Once you've collected the above documents, you can apply for the work visa itself. You can submit your application at your nearest embassy or consulate in China. If your application is approved and you receive your work visa, check if all the information on your visa is correct, such as your name's spelling, type of visa, entry date, length of stay, etc.
When you have received your work visa, you will be able to travel to China. But while a work visa grants you entry into the country, it only allows for a limited stay. It is essential that you start your residence permit application process as soon as you arrive in China to make sure you complete your application in time.
Important:
Obtaining a work permit is the only way to work in China legally. With that, you may find job offers (especially in English teaching) that won't provide you with the needed documents. While quite a few expats engage in such employment offers, the consequences for working illegally in China are severe. You will risk heavy fines and deportation and may even be banned from visiting China in the future.
Wages in Shenzhen
Salaries in Shenzhen vary substantially depending on your line of work, level of experience, the company that employs you, etc. Expats working in English teaching generally make from RMB 8,000 to 35,000 ($1200 to $5,200) and sometimes more, depending on their experience, position and working hours. On average, you should expect a salary of RMB 15,000 to 20,000 ($2,200 to $2,900). As an engineer, you can expect to make from RMB 15,000 to 50,000 ($2,200 to $7,400). Marketing and sales specialists can earn from RMB 8,000 to 20,000 ($1,200 to $2,900) and much more, depending on their commissions and sales volume.
Cost of living in Shenzhen
There is a general assumption that the cost of living in China is low. However, this hasn't been the case for quite a while, especially when it comes to the country's top-tier cities.
In fact, according to Mercer's Cost of Living Survey of 2022, Shenzhen ranked as the 13th most expensive city in the world. And you will need to consider your expenses in the city before accepting a job offer and planning your move to the country.
Naturally, how much you spend per month in Shenzhen depends on your lifestyle. If your job offer doesn't come with an accommodation allowance, rent will be your biggest expense.
The average monthly studio rent in Shenzhen, especially on the outskirts, ranges from RMB 2,500 ($370) to 5,000 ($740) and higher. However, if you want to live in the city center or popular expat areas, count between RMB 6,000 ($890) and 15,000 ($2,200) and sometimes even more. Add other living expenses to that, and you may be looking at around RMB 8,000 to RMB 10,000 in expenses per month.
So when considering accepting a job offer in Shenzhen, make sure to factor in your potential living expenses.
What are the perks of living in Shenzhen?
You will like living in Shenzhen if you want to live in a modern, cosmopolitan and fast-paced city. Shenzhen is a young city — and it's also a migrant city. A lot of professionals come here in search of opportunities: this includes both expats and locals from the neighboring towns and provinces. So, you will need to be ready for some tough competition in the workplace.
When it comes to after-work activities, Shenzhen has a lot to offer. You will find vibrant nightlife here, many malls, movie theatres, bars, restaurants, clubs, and more. As Shenzhen is just over 40 years old, you won't find too many historical sights or museums here, but if you travel a bit out of the city, you will find old villages, temples and more to explore. Within the city walls, however, Shenzhen is a skyscraper city with many glass highrises and some of the tallest buildings in the country.
There are lots of scenic natural attractions in Shenzhen. A lot of expats in the city go hiking on the weekend or spend their free time on the city's several beaches. As Shenzhen is located in the south of China, you will also enjoy easy access to Hong Kong and short flight times to Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and other popular destinations.
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