Home / Cities / Shanghai

Americans in Shanghai

Everything you need to move to, rent in and enjoy Shanghai as an American, and how it fits with your US taxes, money and paperwork.

Official US

Consulate

U.S. Consulate General Shanghai

Passports, citizenship and emergency help for U.S. citizens in Shanghai and East China

9th Floor, Westgate Mall, 1038 West Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Website · Map · +86 21 8011 2400 · ShanghaiACS@state.gov

Your community group

ExpatStateside China: Americans in China

Free group for Americans in China: questions, tips, meetups, Thanksgiving and the Super Bowl.

Opening soon

Vote from ShanghaiRegister and request your ballot with one form, the FPCA. Send a new one every January.

How to vote

Shanghai Partners

Global partner · online

The emotional move

A move abroad changes more than your address. Katharina Bergauer (innsicht) supports individuals, couples and families before the move and until everyone feels at home. Online, in English or German.

Book a first conversation

Katharina Bergauer

innsichtEintragungsnummer: 17784

Open

Your business here: partner in Shanghai

Do you help Americans in Shanghai with property, business setup, relocation or schools? One partner per category, no competitor next to you.

Apply All partner slots

Every partner is personally vetted by us and featured through a paid subscription across our magazines. Our guides are written independently. Meet all our partners

Guides for life in Shanghai

Basics

Cost of living in Shanghai vs New York: where your money goes further, and where it doesn't

Shanghai's everyday costs are far below New York's, but imported comforts, international schools and expat-style housing can close the gap fast. Here's what the official data shows.

Basics

Internet in China: what's blocked, what the law says about VPNs, and staying in touch

Google, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp don't work on a Chinese connection. Here's what's blocked, what the rules on VPNs actually say, and how Americans in Shanghai stay in touch with home.

Basics

Keeping your US phone number and accounts working in China: 2FA codes, porting, bank apps and mail

Lose your US number and you can get locked out of your bank. Here's how Americans in China keep two-factor codes coming, port a number, keep bank apps working and handle mail.

Money and work

Chinese taxes for Americans: the 183-day test, the six-year rule and your US return

In Shanghai you answer to China's tax bureau and the IRS. Here's how Chinese residency and the six-year rule work, what happens to expat allowances, and how the two returns fit.

Money and work

Banking in China as an American: accounts, FATCA and the currency rules

Opening the account is the easy part. Getting yuan back into dollars is where China's currency rules kick in. Here's how Americans in Shanghai handle both.

Money and work

Alipay and WeChat Pay: how Americans pay for everything in China

In Shanghai you'll pay for coffee, cabs and the subway by scanning a QR code. Here's how to link a US card to Alipay and WeChat Pay, what it costs, the limits, and when cash still works.

Money and work

China's social insurance for Americans: what comes out of your paycheck and what you get back

Your Shanghai pay stub has deductions for pension, medical and unemployment insurance. Here's what they cost, what you can take home, and why the US and China have no totalization deal.

Home

Renting in Shanghai: agents, "pay three, deposit one" and the police registration

Shanghai rentals move fast and run through agents. Here's how deposits work, what to check before you sign, and why your lease matters for police registration.

Home

Police registration and housing paperwork in Shanghai: the 24-hour rule and the lease checks behind it

Every time you move in Shanghai, the police need to know within 24 hours. Here's how hotel and home registration work, the 2026 online option and the lease papers to check first.

Moving and visas

Moving to Shanghai as an American: the Z visa, family visas and what to do first

China has no retirement or digital nomad visa, so most Americans move to Shanghai for a job, a degree or family. Here's how each route works and the first steps.

Moving and visas

China's Z visa and residence permit: the steps from job offer to legal work

Working in Shanghai takes a work permit notice, a Z visa, a health check and a residence permit within 30 days of arrival. Here's the order and what to apostille before you leave.

Health

Healthcare in Shanghai: public hospitals, international wards and insurance

Shanghai has some of China's best hospitals, but you pay before you're treated and the system runs on Chinese. Here's how Americans get care and cover.

Health

Air quality in Shanghai: reading the AQI and protecting your family

Shanghai's air is better than its old reputation, but winter still brings bad days. How to read the AQI, where the data comes from, and how families use purifiers and masks.

Schools and study

Schools in Shanghai: American schools, international schools and getting to college

Shanghai has American-curriculum schools with AP, IB and US-style sports, but tuition rivals a private college. Here's what Americans should know before applying.

Schools and study

Learning Mandarin in Shanghai: university programs, private classes, the HSK and the X1 visa

Shanghai is a great place to learn Mandarin, as long as you leave your English bubble. Here's how university programs, private classes, the HSK and the X1 and X2 student visas work.

Getting around

Driving in China with a US license (you can't), and getting around Shanghai instead

Your US license and an International Driving Permit won't let you drive in China. The good news: Shanghai's Metro, ride-hail apps and bullet trains mean many Americans never miss the car.

Community

American life in Shanghai: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and finding your crowd

Shanghai's American community is easy to miss but still there: holiday dinners, a century-old chamber of commerce, school families and political groups on both sides.

Community

Meetups and volunteering in Shanghai: AmCham, clubs, giving back and the consulate calendar

Shanghai is a big city to be new in. Here's where Americans find their people: AmCham Shanghai, sports and hobby groups, volunteering, consulate events and holiday get-togethers.

Going out

American food in Shanghai: where to shop, what changed and how to watch the game

Costco is here, City Shop is gone and the Super Bowl airs on a Monday morning. Here's how Americans in Shanghai keep the home comforts coming.

Going out

Nightlife in Shanghai: the Bund, Xintiandi and the lane bars

Shanghai after dark runs from art deco jazz bars on the Bund to small cocktail bars in leafy lanes. Here's where to start, how to get home and the rules that catch foreigners out.

America in Shanghai

The embassy or consulate, business groups, clubs, sport, schools, churches and a taste of home. Checked 2026-11; tell us if something has changed.

Official US

Consulate

U.S. Consulate General Shanghai

Passports, citizenship and emergency help for U.S. citizens in Shanghai and East China

9th Floor, Westgate Mall, 1038 West Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Website · Map · +86 21 8011 2400 · ShanghaiACS@state.gov · X

Consulate

U.S. Consulate General Shanghai – Main Building

Consulate main building (not American Citizen Services, which is at Westgate Mall)

1469 Huai Hai Zhong Road, Shanghai 200031

Website · Map · +86 21 8011 2200

Business and networking

Chamber

American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AmCham Shanghai)

Business association for American companies in Shanghai, founded in 1915

Website · Map

Party groups abroad

Listed side by side for information. We are nonpartisan.

Party

Democrats Abroad China

Official Democratic Party organization for U.S. citizens in China

Website · Map

Party

Republicans Overseas

Worldwide Republican organization for Americans abroad; no local chapter page found for this country

Website · Map

Schools and universities

School

Shanghai American School

Pre-K to grade 12 school with Pudong and Puxi campuses, offering AP and IB

1600 Lingbai Road, Pudong District, Shanghai 201201

Website · Map · +86 21 6221 1445

School

Shanghai American School – Puxi Campus

Puxi campus of Shanghai American School

258 Jinfeng Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 201107

Website · Map · +86 21 6221 1445

School

Concordia International School Shanghai

Preschool to high school with an American-style curriculum and AP courses

345 Huangyang Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201206

Website · Map · +86 21 5899 0380 · admissions@concordiashanghai.org

University

NYU Shanghai

Shanghai campus of New York University, granting NYU degrees

567 West Yangsi Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai 200124

Website · Map · +86 21 2059 5000

K-12 school

Shanghai Livingston American School (SLAS)

American international school, nursery to grade 12, with AP classes; ACS WASC accredited

580 Ganxi Road, Changning District, Shanghai 200335

Website · Map · +86 21 5218 8575 · Facebook

K-12 school

Shanghai Community International School – Hongqiao Campus

IB Continuum school (PYP, MYP, DP); WASC accredited

1161 Hongqiao Road, Changning, Shanghai 200051

Website · Map · +86 21 6261 4338 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

K-12 school

Shanghai Community International School – Pudong Campus

IB Continuum school (PYP, MYP, DP), nursery to grade 12; WASC accredited

198 Hengqiao Road, Zhoupu, Pudong, Shanghai 201315

Website · Map · +86 21 5812 9888 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

Preschool / early childhood

Shanghai Community International School – Hongqiao ECE Campus

Early childhood campus of SCIS (IB PYP, from age 2); WASC accredited

2212 Hongqiao Road, Changning, Shanghai 200336

Website · Map · +86 21 6295 1222 · Facebook · Instagram

K-12 school

Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS)

Ages 2 to 18 on several Puxi and Pudong campuses; IGCSE and IB Diploma; NEASC and CIS accredited

18 West Ronghua Avenue, Puxi, Shanghai 201103

Website · Map · +86 21 2226 7666 · sh.enquiry@ycis.com · Facebook · Instagram

EducationUSA

EducationUSA China – Shanghai

Free official advising on studying in the U.S.; not open to the public, advising by appointment only

1376 Nanjing West Road, Suite 532 East Tower, Shanghai 200040

Website · Map · educationusachina@state.gov

US study-abroad center

CIEE Shanghai

US study-abroad center on the East China Normal University campus: semester, summer and internship programs for US college students

Website · Map · +1 844 484 5687 · inquire@ciee.org

School

Shanghai High School International Division (SHSID)

International school for Grades 1-12 with AP courses and exams (since 2008), IB and A-Level; accredited by Cognia (AdvancED), CIS member

989 Baise Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200231

Website · Map · +86 21 6476 5516 · shangzhong9999@shs.cn

Study abroad

USAC Shanghai

US study-abroad program (University Studies Abroad Consortium) for college students at Shanghai Normal University; US semester credit, on-site resident director

Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai

Website · Map · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

American restaurants and bars

More in our guide: American food, restaurants and bars in Shanghai. Listings are not paid.

BBQ

Parlay

Kansas City-style BBQ and sports bar with brisket, ribs, burgers, darts and pool; shows NFL and NBA.

Room 103, Building 18, 808 Shaanxi Bei Lu (Shankang Li), Jing'an, Shanghai

Map · +86 132 6299 3919

Sports bar

Cages Jing'an

Sports bar inside Jing'an Sports Center with Saturday Southern-style BBQ; hosts Super Bowl breakfast screenings.

3/F, Jing'an Sports Center, 428 Jiangning Lu, by Wuding Lu, Jing'an, Shanghai

Map · +86 21 5299 5273

Sports bar

The Shed Jing'an

Sports pub that opens early for Super Bowl Monday-morning screenings, with breakfast.

698 Shaanxi Bei Lu, by Kangding Lu, Jing'an, Shanghai

Map

Sports bar

The Shed Laowaijie

Hongmei Lu branch of The Shed in the Gubei/Minhang expat area; screens the Super Bowl with breakfast.

No. 31, Lane 3338 Hongmei Lu (Laowaijie), Minhang, Shanghai

Map

Brewpub

The BREW (Kerry Hotel Pudong)

Hotel brewpub with in-house craft beer and big screens; hosts Super Bowl breakfast viewings.

Kerry Hotel Pudong, 1388 Huamu Lu, by Fangdian Lu, Pudong, Shanghai

Website · Map

Bagels

Holy Bagel

Bagel cafe with bagel sandwiches and coffee in Xintiandi.

D-L160, Xintiandi Galleria, 111 Ji'an Road, Huangpu, Shanghai

Map

A taste of home

Warehouse

Costco Minhang

Costco's first mainland China warehouse, with U.S. brands in bulk (membership required)

235 Zhujian Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 201106

Website · Map · +86 21 3328 9989

Churches and congregations

Church

Shanghai Community Fellowship

English-language Protestant service for foreign passport holders, Sundays at 2 p.m. at Hengshan Church

Hengshan Church, 53 Hengshan Road (near Wulumuqi Road), Xuhui District, Shanghai

Website · Map · Facebook