Advantages and Disadvantages of Settling in Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a vibrant city located in southern China. It has a population of over 15 million people and is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. As a major economic hub, Guangzhou offers a lot of opportunities for business and personal growth. However, there are also some drawbacks to settling in Guangzhou.

Advantages:

1. Car ownership: To participate in Guangzhou’s license plate lottery, residents must have local household registration or have paid basic medical insurance in Guangzhou for at least 24 months. Having local registration will increase your chances of winning the license plate lottery.

2. Home ownership: Guangzhou residents with local registration can purchase up to two properties, while non-residents need to pay local social security or individual income tax for at least five years before buying a property. Therefore, owning a local registration will make buying a property more convenient.

3. Education: Children of Guangzhou residents have access to public schools without the need for points-based admission or other requirements. This is a great advantage for parents seeking to secure an education for their children.

4. Visa and Document processing: Guangzhou residents have access to various healthcare, employment, and other services without needing to show a residence permit or meeting other social security-related requirements. This greatly reduces the hassle for residents.

5. Childbirth: Children born to Guangzhou residents can receive health insurance immediately after birth and can benefit from many other preferential policies.

6. Convenience: Non-residents in Guangzhou are required to apply for a residence permit for daily life. However, this requires six months of residence registration and only has a one-year validity period. If not renewed, it could affect further procedures like obtaining a visa or enrolling children into school. Having a local registration eliminates that hassle.

Disadvantages:

1. Cost of living: Like any major metropolitan city, Guangzhou has a high cost of living, especially for rent and property prices. This may be a challenge for people who are not used to living in a large city or have a limited budget.

2. Traffic: Guangzhou has a high influx of cars and people, leading to regular traffic jams. Public transport is available but can still be cramped during peak hours.

3. Cultural and language barriers: Guangzhou is a Mandarin-speaking city, so people who do not speak Chinese may face some difficulty communicating with locals. Additionally, the cultural differences may also affect the way people interact and conduct business.

New Guangzhou Household Registration Policy in 2023:

In 2023, Guangzhou's household registration will be granted through a point-based system, which counts a person's education, work experience, talents, or family bond. The following new policies will be in place:

1. Talented Personnel- can be obtainable through points or recommendation by employers.

2. Education Entry- includes graduates who have studied in Guangzhou for at least 2 years (no social security requirements), holders of local social security (need only one consecutive month in Guangzhou), those who have studied at Guangzhou universities or foreign students (need only one year of contribution to social security).

3. Professional Certificate Entry- requires applicants to have professional certificates and a fixed job in Guangzhou.

Applicants must meet strict age requirements and both the applicant and their spouse must have paid into Guangzhou's social security fund for at least 4 years. According to the new policy, a total of 150 points is required for the applicant to be eligible. Applicants also cannot have any criminal records within the past five years.

In summary, Guangzhou offers many opportunities for growth and convenience to its residents. However, there are challenges to settling in the city, including its high cost of living, traffic, and cultural and language barriers. For those interested in obtaining local registration in Guangzhou, they must meet strict requirements through the new point-based system.