Internships in Shanghai are accessible at any time of the year, and their durations may vary considerably, based not only on your preferences but also on your availability. It is advised that you start studying internship prospects at least six months in advance in order to allow yourself plenty of time to acquire a job, make travel and lodging arrangements, and get a visa. If you do not start your research early enough, you may not have enough time.
Obtaining Visas in Order to China Shanghai Internship
It is likely necessary to possess a visa in order to travel or intern in any part of Mainland China. In most cases, interns are required to get a business F visa in order to participate in an internship. This visa permits interns to remain in the country for a maximum of six months. Because there are many different kinds of visas, you should be sure to verify with the company or organization that has accepted you for an internship before applying for one. No visas will be issued at the airport or at the port of entry, so travelers who want a visa to enter China must apply for one before they leave their home country. If the duration of their trip is shorter than 15 days for tourist or business reasons, passport holders from a number of countries, including Japan, Singapore, and Brunei, are excused from the need to get a visa.
In order to submit an application for a F visa, you are going to need a few different papers, including (but not limited to) the following:
A passport that is valid for at least six months after its scheduled expiry date (make sure to have a least a few blank pages for a visa)
An invitation letter from your current or former company in China
A photograph in full color and the appropriate size for a passport in order to apply for a visa.
It is possible that a bank statement, evidence of residence, or flight tickets, or all three, will be required, depending on the circumstances.
Ensure that you get a comprehensive list of visa requirements from either your institution in China or the company of your internship there.
It is highly recommended that visa applications be submitted to either the Chinese Embassy or the Consulate General around one month before travel. Apply for a multiple entry visa if you want to go outside of mainland China while you are there. This is required of you. It is a violation of Chinese rules and regulations to overstay a visa in China; thus, you should pay close attention to the days on which your visa is valid.
Expenses of Daily Life in Shanghai
The Yuan Renminbi (RMB) is the sole currency that may be used on the mainland of China. It is the country’s official currency. The cost of living is similar to that in the United States and the United Kingdom, however individual expenditures such as those associated with housing, transportation, food, and entertainment will differ.
Apartments in Shanghai may cost anywhere from 3,500 RMB and above, with the average price falling somewhere in the middle of that range. The price of housing may be affected by a variety of factors, such as its location, the size of the flat, whether or not it is a shared apartment, etc. Take into consideration that this fee might be greater, particularly if you go via a placement business or a university to find an internship opportunity.
The costs of food, transportation, entertainment, and travel can vary depending on preference and budget, but interns will be able to live comfortably, but not extravagantly, with a budget of approximately 9,000–14,000 RMB per month (including housing). This will cover the intern’s basic living expenses.