Hi all sifus,

Been struggling to find a job ever since MCO. Has about 2 years of working experiences including part time.
Recently interview with a China company based in Shenzhen.
After 2 interview, they decided to hire me, but will work from home now until Government allow us to travel to China, then will move to Shenzhen and work there.

So far the package is okay for me since I will work from home until I am able to travel, then salary will get adjusted.

Need some tips and advice for those who has experiences working in China or friends that work in Shenzhen:

1. The living cost there, especially room rental cost and eating cost. I will get allocation fees when I relocate to China. Just want to know roughly how much each month.
2. Environment
3. Any experience or tips also can share share with me.

Thanks alot!

Sorry haven't been to SZ so I can't give you any advice on living expenses but something doesn't sound right.

"So far the package is okay for me since I will work from home until I am able to travel, then salary will get adjusted"

Is this a white collar job? If so, how do they justify the lower salary because of working remotely?

hi edwin, congrats on securing a new job. shenzhen is an extremely busy city and i hope you will find your way to fit into it. it also has a huge expatriate base and im sure number of malaysians there.

Enjoyed my time there when it was a short visit. Cost of living really depends. The closer you are to the centre, the more expensive it gets. May I know whats your salary range currently and how will it be adjusted once you arrive there? Your average per meal can be higher than RM20 easily depending on location.

Hi, thanks for your response.

My condition is a bit special. I jumped from customer service/admin field to digital marketing, so consider entry level. The company decided to give me a chance because I had huge interest and foundation of digital marketing.

Will be working remotely until China open border. They offer me basic salary in MYR + sales commissions since I will have to learn all the basic and start doing digital sales.

I not sure about the salary adjustment part, they only tell me my salary will be adjust higher when I travel to there and will be based on performance. For right now will start with the salary they offered me.
I don't dare ask too much la newbie lol but they asked me don't worry.

Have to learn fast and work hard now

Hi, thanks for your response. Having a tough time looking for information about working in Shenzhen, not much forum discussing on this topic.

My salary is about slightly above 3k only, I am consider entry level from the field. I jumped from customer line to digital marketing. For the basic they offered right now is above market level la, I went to few companies and all lowball me kuat kuat lol really having bad experience interviewing at current situation now.

For the salary adjustment part, I got told will be adjusted when I travel to work there and will be based on performance. They asked me don't worry about this. Hopefully is true la because 3k plus where can survive in China, especially first line city.

3k is considered Bangla salary but seeing that you’re WFH from Malaysia it’s not too bad. Should expect 5-6k minimum to survive there.

I’d get black and white that you will definitely be transferred to SZ once travel is allowed. Some unscrupulous company are taking advantage of currently environment and massive surplus of unemployed graduates. Then after “probation” they just let you go..

It's alright for you to prioritise work experience, if that's your career goal. And you don't have the experience so beggars can't be choosers.

I'm sure you can get information on accommodation easily on Baidu. Have you tried? Food prices wise, expect to pay double the Malaysian price for a meal in first tier cities.

Not SZ specific but bear in mind that China is extremely competitive so just be prepared to work hard and put in extra hours because everybody around you will be doing that. Those who can't cope, move to second of third tier cities where life is more relaxed. It's called the 996 culture. Google it.

I wouldn't want to digress too much. Good luck.

Yeah, for right now working from home in Malaysia 3k+ is enough la, bad thing is without EPF those but still can survive. Can save petrol and toll costs etc lol. Supp here and there

And to survive in Shenzhen at least need 10k RMB there, I pretty sure they aware too, because they did keep mentioning about salary adjustment once transfer there.

Luckily one of my colleague is from Malaysia as well, she was waiting to travel there since Chinese New Year, now still working from home in Malaysia, at least no need worry about the company being unscrupulous or what.

And the company is planning to hire more Malaysians so might have more chance to take care of each other.


Yeah, that's why I am happy I get offer because has been stuck unemployed for almost half years. And true, beggars can't be choosers so I cannot request too much also.

For accommodation part already have big picture, because has been asking around and doing a lot of researches, just worry about other things like tax, insurance those because really not much information available about Malaysians working there. Can't do much also right now cuz god knows how long we are allowed to travel at this state of condition right now

And understand for the working culture as well, as my previous job is China company also. So already prepared to work my a** off.

Thanks for all the responses ya! Cheers ;D

Hi TS, you can add my wechat +86 15014850808. We have a large group of Malaysian expats in China. I can invite you to our chat group.

hello ..


working as expats in China ..( shenzhen ) ..in 2020 or 2021 ..???? you must be " very good " in your fields of work .. ?????

yes... very good ... iF you already got a job in shenzhen ... but .. cannot comment until you supply us the following facts ..

1) How old are you ..????
2) what is your highest qualification .. ??
3) what races are you ..??? ( malaysian ..right ..??? )
4) which fields of business is your job scope ..??
5) are you being paid as "expats " salary /benefits.
6) what is the title or the position of work .. ???



ten years ago ..when Shenzen booming in their economy ... Living cost is almost 2X higher then Local Malaysia ( kuala Lumpur )

an office lady clerk ( junior position ) is being paid about 4000 RMB .. and still having hard time to live in shenzen ...

and in 2019 shenzen .... some company only managed to pay 2500 RMB .. for this same position ( junior clerk ) but living standard .. is still very high ...

Number one.... factor is Covid 19 .. where business can no longer pay high salary ..when the whole market is badly hits .. by this Covid19


even if you got a job secured now .. does not means .. that .. you can survive shenzhen.... high cost of living ....

you needs .. about 7000 RMB mimimum to live in shenzhen .. with a room rental and living cost ..living on local local standard

not as an Expats .. condition

even the top westerner expats senior positionm is looking... to get out of China ..because china can no longer paying high salary /benefits for expats..

I am commenting this.. is because .. I was stationed china .. during the late 2000 ... for almost 6 years ..being employed and paid in malaysia .( senior position ).. plus the expats benefits with housing included ... then.. i was called back to Malaysia ..


so I wonder ..WHY ..people of Malaysia .. still wanting to go to CHINA ....>?????


ask yourself this Question ....

Are you that good ( in your fields of works ) ???? that china company is wanting to employ you .. ????

This post has been edited by suns8630: Aug 20 2020, 03:50 PM

hello ,,,


working in overseas .. ( any country ) falls ..under 2 categories,,, 1) Expats with benefits,, Or 2) general labour .. just like indon or bangla in malaysia ..

so which one are .. you ... ????

This post has been edited by suns8630: Aug 20 2020, 04:36 PM

Can i ask you some questions and add your wechat

so you left china at 2006?