Getting the Right Price in China: Ayis, Drivers, Visas and Housing

Whether you’re a seasoned expat or a fresh-faced newcomer to China, it’s always good to know exactly how much you should be paying for certain services here. It’s easy to be ripped off if you don’t know the ballpark figure, and there’s always the danger of inadvertently making people “lose face” by offering too much or too little. So we’ve put together a quick guide on how much stuff should cost. Of course, things vary from place to place – in a metropolis like Shanghai, prices will be higher than a smaller tier city or provincial town – so these are general average costs. It always pays to ask around among friends and colleagues too.

Photo: drs2biz

1) Ayi
The trusty ayi is one of the great benefits of living in China. She can do everything from laundry and dishes to cooking your meals and looking after your kids. Depending on how long she spends at your place, and what she does, the prices fluctuate. The first thing to do is actually find one. Some people go through agencies (which obviously add charges of their own) while others use expat website classified ads, or take recommendations from friends and neighbours. Be sure to read our guide to finding an ayi. Once you’ve found an ayi you like, it’s time to discuss prices. If you just want an “ayi lite” i.e. have her come for a couple of hours a day, say three days a week, to do basic housekeeping (washing dishes, cleaning floors and windows, laundry), you’ll be looking at between 250 RMB and 500 RMB per month. Most ayis can’t speak English, so this is rarely a consideration in her salary. If you need her services full time (i.e. every day for 6 to 8 hours, cooking food and cleaning) it will cost between 1500 RMB and 2500 RMB per month. For childcare, salaries can go up to 5000 RMB per month depending on the age of the children, and how many you have. Some people, especially those with kids, want help on hand at all times, so opt for a live-in ayi. Since you’ll be providing her with a place to live, her salary will be smaller – around 1000 RMB to 2000 RMB per month. It’s a good idea not to scrimp and bargain too much, as a well looked-after ayi will be a great asset, and a valuable member of the household.

2) Visa
Visas. The bane of many an expat life. If you’re working full-time for a company, they will most likely sort out your visa for you, including setting up the necessary health checks and collecting your paperwork. However, if you’re in part-time employment, a consultant, a freelancer, or not currently working, you’ll need to get or update your own visa. The visa you came to China with will be a consideration. Whatever your situation, a trip out of the country will be necessary. Most people do the “visa run” to Hong Kong, as it’s geographically convenient. The visa office is at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Wan Chai (7/F Lower Block, China Resources Building, 26 Harbour Road) and is open on weekdays between 9:00 and noon, then 14:00-17:00. Luggage isn’t allowed inside the office, so don’t take anything cumbersome. A single entry tourist (L) 30 day visa costs HK$150 (around 132 RMB) and a double entry is HK$220 (193 RMB). A multi-entry 6 month costs HK$400 (352 RMB).

An alternative route which many people take is a visa agency. The process isn’t necessarily entirely above board, but agencies can get you a multi-entry business (F) visa for up to a year, or change your tourist (L) visa to an F. All they need is your passport and two photographs, and the date of your last entry into China. Fees vary depending on the time of year; the Olympics put the kibosh on visa applications so the prices went up, and the same will go for the Expo. When the calendar is relatively empty, charges for a one year multi-entry F visa are around 5000 RMB. Single entry costs around 4500, and six month multi goes for around 3500. Be warned – visa agents exist in a sort of grey area, so do it at your own risk.

3) Driver
Having a driver back home might be the domain of hustlers or business big-shots, but here in China it isn’t so much of a big deal. If you’re here on a company package, you will probably be given a budget to hire a car and driver. Most companies offer around 12,000 RMB per month, from which you will need to get the car and the driver. The best way to do this is either through an agency (like www.carrenting.cn, AVIS or Dazhong) or through word of mouth from colleagues and friends. Like your ayi, your driver will be an important member of your household, so make sure you find one you get on well with. Some people choose to buy a car and hire a driver separately (salaries range from 2000 RMB per month up to 6000 depending on experience) but it makes more sense to rent. For their monthly salary, it’s normal for drivers to be on call for every weekday, with around 20 RMB per hour overtime. If you don’t have a budget from your company but still fancy having a driver, go ahead, but bear in mind that the metro and taxis might work out cheaper in the end. If you’re determined to drive yourself you can find out how to get a Chinese driver’s license here.

4) Real estate agents
Renting a property in China is a bit of a minefield, but don’t worry – with the right guidance it can be a breeze. Possibly the best tip we can give is that you have a trusted Chinese speaker with you at all times during your dealings with the real estate agent and landlord. If you’re fluent and confident in Mandarin yourself, by all means go it alone, but if your zhongwen isn’t up to scratch, take a Chinese friend or colleague with you. We’re not saying that all agents or landlords are out to rip you off, it’s just best to be on the safe side. When you find the property of your dreams, the landlord will typically ask for a month’s rent as a deposit, and up to three months rent in advance. Some will even ask for six months to a year! This isn’t just because you’re a foreigner either, Chinese savings rates tend to be rather admirable and it’s not uncommon for Chinese renters to fork up this much money. This may seem like a hassle, especially if you’ve just arrived and struggle to get all the money together at once, but it’s just the way things work here. Some negotiation is possible, but bank on having to cough up at least four months worth of rent straight up. On the plus side, the more you pay up front the more of a discount you can negotiate on your monthly rent. You also need to factor in the real estate agent’s commission. In exchange for dealing with the landlord and sorting out the paperwork, your agent will ask for the equivalent of a month’s rent as payment. Some agents in some cities ask for only half a month, but in bigger cities you’ll most usually have to give a whole month. Sounds like a drag, but it’s a lot more convenient than dealing directly with the landlord, even with a trusted Mandarin-speaking buddy at your side.

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Related Links

Bargaining in China: What's Fair Game?
HOW TO…Find an ayi in Shanghai
How To: Get a Driver's License in China