About Ikky Ma | 20 Years Living in China as an Expat

Hello, I’m Ikky Ma (马迎恳).

I’ve been living in Shanghai since 2006 β€” almost 20 years as a foreigner building a real life here.

I originally moved to China with a Master’s degree in Information Security Technology from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands and spent many years working in IT for Fortune 500 companies.

Over time, the thing that interested me most wasn’t the corporate side β€” it was the practical reality of living in China as a long-term foreigner: visas, work permits, permanent residence, housing contracts, banking, raising a child in the local school system, and all the daily bureaucracy that official sources rarely explain clearly.

That’s why I started this blog.

What This Blog Is Actually For

I write straightforward, up-to-date guides that help English-speaking expats and foreigners in China handle the things that actually matter:

  • Current visa and talent policies (updated for 2026)
  • Permanent residence and the new 5-Star Card
  • Apartment hunting, contracts, and avoiding scams
  • Currency exchange, banking, and money matters
  • Driving license rules and car-related subsidies
  • Everyday living hacks that make life smoother

My goal is simple: give you clear answers and actionable steps without the fluff or outdated information you often find elsewhere.

Why I Write the Way I Do

China changes fast. Rules that were true last year can be different this month.

I focus on what’s actually happening right now, based on real experience navigating these systems myself over nearly two decades.

I’m not here to sell you a dream or sugarcoat things. I write the kind of practical advice I wish I had when I first arrived β€” and the kind I still use today as a long-term resident and parent.

Get In Touch or Support the Work

If something on the site helped you, or if you have a specific question about living or handling paperwork in China, feel free to reach out.

Thank you for reading. I hope the information here makes your life in China a little easier.

If you want to support the work I put into keeping these guides updated, you can buy me a coffee here.