Professional help

By Jenxi Seow

Finding the right professional help can make all the difference in Shenzhen. This guide covers legal services, tax consultants, real estate agents, and translation services for expatriates.

Before you begin

Why you might need professional help

Navigating life in Shenzhen as a foreigner often requires professional assistance for:

  • Legal matters: Contracts, visa issues, business registration, disputes
  • Tax compliance: Understanding tax obligations, filing returns, international tax issues
  • Real estate: Finding accommodation, contract review, property transactions
  • Translation: Document translation, interpretation services, official translations
  • Business services: Company registration, accounting, compliance
  • Immigration: Visa applications, work permits, residence permits

Types of professional services

This guide covers:

  • Legal services
  • Tax and accounting services
  • Real estate services
  • Translation and interpretation services
  • Immigration services
  • Business consulting services

When you need a lawyer

Common situations:

  • Reviewing employment contracts
  • Business registration and setup
  • Property purchase or rental disputes
  • Visa and immigration issues
  • Commercial disputes
  • Personal legal matters
  • Contract negotiations

Finding a lawyer

What to look for:

  • Experience with expatriate clients
  • English-speaking capability
  • Familiarity with relevant areas of law
  • Good reputation and references
  • Reasonable fees
  • Responsive communication

Major law firms in Shenzhen:

International firms:

  • Firms with Shenzhen offices (check major international law firms)
  • Often have bilingual lawyers
  • Experience with foreign clients
  • Higher fees but comprehensive service

Local firms with expat focus:

  • Some local firms specialize in serving foreigners
  • May offer more competitive pricing
  • Check for English-speaking lawyers
  • Verify experience with your specific needs

Finding lawyers:

  • Ask for recommendations in community groups
  • Check law firm websites
  • Contact bar associations
  • Use legal directories
  • Get referrals from other expats

Typical fees (as of January 2025):

  • Consultation: RMB 500-2,000+ per hour
  • Contract review: RMB 1,000-5,000+ per contract
  • Business registration assistance: RMB 10,000-50,000+
  • Dispute resolution: Varies significantly by case complexity
  • Retainer agreements: Monthly or annual retainers available

Tax and accounting services

When you need a tax consultant

Common situations:

  • Understanding tax obligations
  • Filing annual tax returns
  • International tax planning
  • Business tax compliance
  • Tax dispute resolution
  • Optimizing tax position (legally)

Finding a tax consultant

What to look for:

  • Qualifications (CPA, tax advisor certifications)
  • Experience with expatriate taxation
  • Knowledge of China tax laws
  • Understanding of international tax treaties
  • English-speaking capability
  • Good communication skills

Types of tax services:

Individual tax services:

  • Annual tax return preparation
  • Tax planning and optimization
  • International tax advice
  • Tax dispute assistance

Business tax services:

  • Corporate tax compliance
  • VAT registration and filing
  • Tax planning for businesses
  • Tax audit support

Major accounting firms:

  • Big Four accounting firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) - Have Shenzhen offices
  • Mid-tier firms with expat focus
  • Local firms specializing in foreign businesses
  • Independent tax consultants

Tax service costs

Typical fees (as of January 2025):

  • Tax return preparation: RMB 1,000-5,000+ per return
  • Tax consultation: RMB 500-2,000+ per hour
  • Annual tax service: RMB 5,000-20,000+ per year
  • Business tax services: RMB 10,000-50,000+ per year
  • Complex cases: Significantly higher

Real estate services

When you need a real estate agent

Common situations:

  • Finding rental accommodation
  • Property purchase
  • Contract review and negotiation
  • Property management issues
  • Rental disputes
  • Understanding property laws

Finding a real estate agent

What to look for:

  • Experience with expatriate clients
  • Knowledge of expat-friendly areas
  • English-speaking capability
  • Good reputation
  • Reasonable fees
  • Responsive service

Major agencies:

International-focused agencies:

  • Some agencies specialize in serving expatriates
  • Better English support
  • Familiar with expat needs
  • May have higher fees

Major local agencies:

  • Lianjia (链家): Largest agency, some English support
  • Centaline (中原): Established agency, expat experience
  • Homelink International: Expat-focused services
  • Crown Relocations: International relocation services

Finding agents:

  • Ask for recommendations in community groups
  • Check agency websites
  • Visit agency offices in expat areas
  • Get referrals from other expats

Real estate service costs

Typical fees (as of January 2025):

  • Rental agent fee: 1 month’s rent or 50% of monthly rent
  • Purchase agent fee: 1-3% of purchase price (negotiable)
  • Property management: Included in rent or separate fee
  • Consultation: RMB 500-2,000+ per hour

Translation and interpretation services

When you need translation services

Common situations:

  • Document translation (contracts, certificates, etc.)
  • Official translations for government use
  • Interpretation for meetings or appointments
  • Legal document translation
  • Medical appointment interpretation
  • Business meeting interpretation

Types of translation services

Document translation:

  • Contracts and legal documents
  • Certificates and diplomas
  • Business documents
  • Personal documents
  • Official translations (certified)

Interpretation services:

  • Business meetings
  • Medical appointments
  • Legal consultations
  • Government appointments
  • Real estate transactions

Finding translation services:

Professional translation companies:

  • Certified translation services
  • Official document translation
  • Legal document expertise
  • Multiple language pairs

Independent translators:

  • Freelance translators
  • May offer lower rates
  • Verify qualifications
  • Check references

Translation apps and tools:

  • Useful for simple translations
  • Not suitable for official documents
  • Good for everyday communication
  • Always verify important translations

Translation service costs

Typical fees (as of January 2025):

  • Document translation: RMB 50-200+ per page (varies by language and complexity)
  • Certified translation: RMB 100-300+ per page
  • Interpretation: RMB 300-1,000+ per hour
  • Rush services: Additional fees (50-100% premium)

Immigration services

When you need immigration help

Common situations:

  • Work visa applications
  • Residence permit conversion
  • Visa renewals
  • Family visa applications
  • Permanent residence applications
  • Visa-related issues or problems

Immigration consultants

What to look for:

  • Licensed immigration consultants (if applicable)
  • Experience with your visa type
  • Good success rate
  • English-speaking capability
  • Transparent fees
  • Good communication

Services offered:

  • Visa application assistance
  • Document preparation
  • Application submission
  • Follow-up and tracking
  • Problem resolution

Immigration service costs

Typical fees (as of January 2025):

  • Visa application assistance: RMB 2,000-10,000+ per application
  • Consultation: RMB 500-2,000+ per hour
  • Full service packages: RMB 5,000-20,000+
  • Complex cases: Significantly higher

Business consulting services

When you need business consulting

Common situations:

  • Business registration and setup
  • Market research
  • Business strategy
  • Compliance consulting
  • HR and employment consulting
  • Financial consulting

Business consultants

Types of services:

  • Business registration agents
  • Market entry consultants
  • Compliance advisors
  • HR consultants
  • Financial advisors

Finding consultants:

  • Business associations
  • Chambers of commerce
  • Professional networks
  • Community recommendations
  • Online directories

Tips for choosing professionals

Research and verification

Before hiring:

  • Check qualifications and licenses
  • Verify experience and track record
  • Read reviews and testimonials
  • Ask for references
  • Compare multiple providers
  • Verify English-speaking capability

Communication

Important considerations:

  • Clear communication is essential
  • Ensure language compatibility
  • Understand fee structure upfront
  • Get written agreements
  • Clarify scope of services
  • Establish communication expectations

Cost considerations

Managing costs:

  • Get multiple quotes
  • Understand fee structure
  • Ask about payment terms
  • Negotiate when appropriate
  • Consider value, not just price
  • Be wary of unusually low prices

Working with professionals

Best practices:

  • Be prepared with questions
  • Provide complete information
  • Respond promptly to requests
  • Keep copies of all documents
  • Maintain good communication
  • Follow professional advice

Common issues and solutions

Issue: Language barriers

Solution:

  • Choose English-speaking professionals
  • Use translation services if needed
  • Bring bilingual friend or assistant
  • Use translation apps for simple communication
  • Verify language capability before hiring

Issue: High costs

Solution:

  • Compare multiple providers
  • Negotiate fees when possible
  • Consider alternative service levels
  • Use combination of services (some DIY, some professional)
  • Look for package deals
  • Consider group rates if applicable

Issue: Finding reputable providers

Solution:

  • Ask for recommendations in community groups
  • Check professional associations
  • Verify licenses and credentials
  • Read reviews and testimonials
  • Start with small projects to test
  • Use established firms when possible

Issue: Unclear service scope

Solution:

  • Get written service agreements
  • Clarify what’s included
  • Understand fee structure
  • Ask about additional costs
  • Get estimates in writing
  • Regular communication

Resources

Finding professionals

  • Community groups: WeChat, Discord, Facebook - Ask for recommendations
  • Professional associations: Bar associations, accounting associations
  • Chambers of commerce: Foreign chambers in Shenzhen
  • Online directories: Professional service directories
  • Referrals: Ask other expats for recommendations

Verification

  • Check professional licenses and credentials
  • Verify with professional associations
  • Read online reviews (with caution)
  • Ask for references
  • Verify business registration

Need help?

Legal assistance

Where to find help:

  • Your country's consulate in Guangzhou
  • International Chambers of Commerce
  • Professional legal services specializing in expatriate issues

HeyShenzhen Community

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