Properties for Sale and Rent in China
Start with Shanghai. Personal guidance for your home search, long-term rental and relocation plans in mainland China.
Buying Property in China as a Foreigner
Buying eligibility depends on the city, your residence status and the property. Buying a home does not automatically grant a visa, a residence permit or permanent residence. This guide covers mainland China only.
Shanghai
The municipal guide permits one residential property for personal occupation. It lists permanent residence or at least one year of work in Shanghai, with employment and tax or social-insurance evidence for ordinary applicants. Permanent residents are exempt from those employment-document requirements. The guide expressly excludes renting out the purchased home or commercial use. Obtain a formal eligibility review before paying a deposit.
Beijing and Shenzhen
Beijing guidance allows eligible foreign nationals working in mainland China with work or journalist visas to buy one home for personal occupation, subject to eligibility and security review. The buyer must be in mainland China and have accommodation registration. Shenzhen official guidance refers to one self-use home and one year of qualifying work evidence; permanent residents have an exemption from the work-duration review. Shenzhen sources are older, so current requirements must be confirmed locally.
Have a local professional check the ownership certificate, land-use term, mortgages, restrictions, co-owners and contract. Agree refund conditions before a deposit. Obtain individual tax, bank-loan and foreign-exchange assessments. Do not assume rental investment, commercial purchase or onward sale is unrestricted.
Ownership, land and resale
Building ownership and land-use rights are separate. Residential land-use grants are generally up to 70 years; a resale transfers the remaining term. Residential rights renew automatically under Civil Code Article 359, with charges governed by law. This differs from freehold ownership of land. Check the registered land use and remaining term, especially for commercial premises. Sale proceeds may be remitted abroad after transfer, tax and bank-document checks; this is not unrestricted currency conversion.
China Visas & Residence Permits
Explore our dedicated guide for international applicants of all nationalities. Visa-free visits, employment, study, family, talent and residence depend on your passport, purpose and individual circumstances.
Read China Visas & Residence · Explore China Business & Company Setup
Renting and Relocating to China
Check the landlord’s identity and authority, lease terms, deposit, utilities, condition report and ability to register the address before committing. Foreigners staying in private accommodation must normally register within 24 hours. Nationwide online registration launched on 21 September 2026 via NIA 12367 and its official website, WeChat and Alipay channels; in-person registration remains available. Hotels handle hotel registration.
Roch Agency provides initial guidance and coordination with appropriate local professionals. Authority decisions, financing and purchase eligibility remain subject to individual assessment. No new China service prices are quoted.
Sources checked 29 October 2026: Shanghai housing · Beijing eligibility · Shenzhen guidance · Visa-free entry · Visa categories · Residence permits · Accommodation registration
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Further sources: Land-use terms · Sale proceeds and remittance
Shanghai photograph: Denys Nevozhai / Unsplash, image D8iZPlX-2fs. Unsplash License, checked 29 October 2026.