How can expats buy property in China?

Original Zhu Yile City News Service 2024-04-29

For expats who need to work and study in China for an extended period of time, a stable and comfortable living environment is a must. Therefore, buying a property here has become a necessity for many of them.

However, purchasing a house in a foreign country inevitably involves many issues, such as what conditions need to be met and what documents are required. Here are some of the answers.

Who can buy property in China?

Foreigners holding Chinese permanent residency.

Foreigners who have been working or studying in China for more than one year.

Foreigners without other properties in China.

Foreigners with a valid work visa.

Conditions and requirements for foreigners to buy property in China:

Identification: Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, passport and work permit.

A valid work visa.

Consecutive local social security or income tax payment records for one year or more. For example, if you plan to buy a house in November, provide social security, labor contract, etc, from October of the previous year to the present.

No other properties in China.

The purchased property is intended solely for personal use, and a written commitment is required. Overseas individuals cannot purchase non-residential properties (such as office buildings and commercial properties) in China.

Foreign individuals can only purchase one residential property per family.

Original and photocopy of family members' identification documents:

1. The original and photocopy of the marriage certificate for married individuals. For divorced individuals, provide the divorce certificate along with the agreement or divorce decree (overseas documents need certified translation; if there is a history of multiple marriages, provide documents for each marriage).

2. If the buyer's family has underage children, provide the original and photocopy of the birth certificate (overseas documents need certified translation).

Other considerations:

Foreigners should check whether the pre-sale permit for the property they intent to purchased is for foreign sales. If so, they can proceed to sign a property purchase contract. If not, they can't sign a contract until the developer officially change the status to a property for foreign sales.

In a joint property purchase, clearly specify the ownership percentage; otherwise, ownership on the property certificate defaults to equal distribution among those listed.

Ensure that the sales contract and personal qualification materials are 100% correct.

When signing the contract, ensure that both Chinese and foreign names are explicitly stated.

If the provided notarized documents are in a foreign language, they must be translated by a formal translation company. Some materials provided by foreigners, such as power of attorney and consent forms, must be notarized and certified by domestic and foreign institutions to be valid.

Taking Shanghai as an example, here are the considerations for a foreigner buying a house:

Choose a Chinese name (usually translated from English name) and notarize it at the local notary office to obtain a certificate of the foreigner's Chinese name.

Provide residence permit for overseas individuals, and the work visa must be valid.

A local labor contract in Shanghai that has been continuous for at least one year from the date of house purchase, along with corresponding income tax or social security documents.

Provide original and photocopy of family members' identification documents:

1. Provide the original and photocopy of the marriage certificate for married individuals. For divorced individuals, provide the divorce certificate along with the agreement or divorce decree (overseas documents need certified translation. If there is a history of multiple marriages, provide documents for each marriage).

2. If the buyer's family has underage children, provide the original and photocopy of the birth certificate (overseas documents need certified translation).

A written commitment is required, including spouses and jointly living underage children, to declare that they do not own a house in Shanghai before purchasing, and the property is intended for personal use.

Ensure that the sales contract and personal qualification materials are error-free.

Different districts in Shanghai may have slight differences for foreigners buying houses, so it's advisable to confirm details with the transaction officer before proceeding.

Officially designated translation agencies in Shanghai

Shanghai SISU Translation Service Co

Business hours: 8:30am-4:30pm (Monday to Friday)

Tel: 6536-2031, 6536-2032

Address: 573 Chifeng Rd

赤峰路573号

How to get there: Metro Line 3, Chifeng Road Station, Exit 1

Shanghai Interpreters' Association

Business hours: 9am-4:30pm (Monday to Friday)

Tel: 6323-9181, 6323-9910

Address: Rm 1607, 1277 Beijing Rd W.

北京西路1277号1607室