Sending Money Home - International Bank Transfers
Getting Your Money Back Home
Alright, let's talk about something every foreign teacher in China eventually needs to do: getting your hard-earned money back home.
Here's the thing that catches everyone off guard: you can't do international transfers through the bank app. I know, I know - it's 2026 and you can order dumplings delivered to your door in 15 minutes through your phone, but sending money overseas? That requires an actual visit to the bank. Every. Single. Time.
But there is a better way than going through the bank. Keep reading.
Why This Chapter Matters
Your employer will walk you through opening your bank account when you start - that's usually a 1-2 hour process where you'll just need your passport and they'll handle the rest. But when it comes to international transfers? You might find yourself navigating this alone with limited English-speaking support.
The good news: once you know the process and have your documents organized, it becomes routine. The bank needs to verify your income is legal, taxed, and earned inside China (totally reasonable), and there's a specific way to do this that works smoothly once you understand the system.
The Old Way: Bank Visits That Ate Your Entire Afternoon
Let me paint you a picture of how this used to work.
Every month, if you wanted to send money home, you'd need to visit a specialized branch – not just any Bank of Communications location, but one specifically set up to handle international transactions. In Nanjing, that's the branch near Yuantong Station.
What You Had to Bring (Every Single Time)
Your Passport — They need to verify your identity and visa status.
Your Bank Card — The account you're transferring from.
Employment Contract — Proves you're legally employed in China.
Proof of Employment Letter — Current letter from your employer (usually in Chinese with English translation).
Proof of Income Certificate — Shows your salary and that it's being properly reported.
Tax Records (Individual Income Tax Certificate) — THE critical document showing your income is legally taxed. This comes from the Chinese tax app (个人所得税).
The Transfer Application Form — A mostly-Chinese form you'd fill out at the bank.
The Process That Made You Want to Cry
Picture this: You'd arrive at the bank, take a queue number, and wait. Then you'd spend 10 minutes working through that form.
You'd need to fill in:
Your Chinese bank account number
Amount to transfer (in RMB)
Amount in destination currency
Beneficiary name (exactly as on account)
Beneficiary bank name
Beneficiary account number / IBAN
SWIFT/BIC code
Beneficiary address
Most teachers used Google Translate or Baidu Translate at the counter. The staff were patient, but it's slower than doing it in Chinese, and you'd often need to clarify details multiple times.
Then came the waiting game. The bank would convert your RMB to your desired foreign currency, process the international transfer, and charge you between 300-500 RMB in fees per transfer, plus exchange rates that weren't as favorable as mid-market rates.
The whole process? 90+ minutes, every single month. Not including the travel time on the subway!
The Game-Changer: SkyRemit
About a week ago, I discovered something that completely changed how I send money home: SkyRemit.
SkyRemit is a mobile app designed specifically for expats working in China. It's officially approved by the People's Bank of China and designed to make international money transfers as simple as ordering takeout.
Here's what makes it different:
Cost
Old way: 300-500 RMB per transfer + poor exchange rates
SkyRemit: 79 RMB flat fee, no matter how much you send
Time
Old way: 90+ minutes at the bank
SkyRemit: Under 5 minutes from your phone
Convenience
Old way: Bank branch visit during business hours (9am-5pm, closed 12-2pm for lunch)
SkyRemit: 24/7 from anywhere with your phone
Speed
Old way: 2-5 business days
SkyRemit: Usually 24-48 hours (sometimes as fast as 5 minutes!)
How to Set Up SkyRemit
Step 1: Find SkyRemit on WeChat
Open WeChat and search for "SkyRemit" in the Mini Programs section. It'll show up as a verified mini program.
Step 2: Sign Up and Choose Your Identity
When you first open SkyRemit, you'll need to verify your identity. Select "Foreigner" and prepare these documents:
Passport (to verify identity and visa status)
One of: Visa, Residence Permit, Work Permit, or Permanent Resident card
You'll upload photos of these documents directly in the app.
Step 3: Upload Your Tax Records
This is the same requirement as the bank - SkyRemit needs to verify your income is legal and taxed.
Download your tax certificate from the Individual Income Tax app (个人所得税). Search that on Tencent App Store. Otherwise SkyRemit will instruct you on how to get and navigate that with very detailed easy-to-follow instructions in their app. There is an English version of the tax app now too.
The app shows all your salary payments and tax deductions for verification. Upload the PDF directly to SkyRemit.
First-Time Setup: For your first transfer, the bank will verify your tax records through the official tax system. Your employer coordinates this, so don't stress.
Step 4: Wait for Verification
SkyRemit will verify your documents (usually takes 1-2 business days). Once approved, you're ready to send money!
Your Transfer Limit: After verification, you'll see your annual transfer limit. Mine is 365,678.85 CNY based on my tax records.
Making Your First Transfer
Step 1: Add Your Overseas Bank Details
Add your recipient account - this is your overseas bank where you want money to arrive. You'll need:
Full name (exactly as on account)
Bank name and address
Account number / IBAN
SWIFT/BIC code
Your overseas address
Save all this information in your phone notes in English beforehand - it makes setup much faster.
Step 2: Choose Your Payment Method
SkyRemit offers three options:
WeChat Pay (extra 80 CNY fee)
Alipay (extra 80 CNY fee)
Bank Transfer (recommended - no extra fees)
I always use bank transfer to keep fees at the flat 79 CNY.
Step 3: Enter the Amount
Enter how much RMB you want to send. Minimum is 500 RMB (with the exception of your initial 100 CNY bonus on signing up where you only need to send 1 yuan).
Step 4: Check the Exchange Rate
SkyRemit shows you:
Real-time exchange rate
FX markup (their margin)
Final rate you'll get
The 79 CNY fee
Exact amount that will arrive
Exchange rates update throughout the day based on forex markets. You can check rates in the app before committing.
Step 5: Confirm and Send
If you chose bank transfer, you'll see an "Awaiting Funds" screen. Transfer the money from your Chinese bank to SkyRemit's safeguarding account (they'll provide the details).
Once they confirm receipt, they'll process your transfer.
You'll get a confirmation showing:
Order number
Send amount
Fee
Final rate
Receive amount
Recipient details
How Long Until It Arrives? Usually 24-48 hours. Transfers to major countries (Australia, US, UK, Canada) are typically faster. I've heard of transfers arriving in as little as 5 minutes, though that's not guaranteed.
The Referral Bonus (And Being Transparent About It)
Here's where I need to be completely upfront with you: SkyRemit has a referral program, and yes, I'm sharing my referral link.
How It Works:
Both you and I get a 100 CNY bonus when you:
Sign up using my referral link or code
Complete your first transfer (even just 1 yuan counts!)
The Two Bonus Options:
When you claim your bonus, you can choose:
Withdraw Cash: Bonus converts to foreign currency and goes directly to your overseas account (no fee)
Convert to Coupons: Get discount coupons for future transfers (1 × 100% off fee + 1 × 50% off fee)
My Referral Details:
Invitation Code: R05037
Or visit: youteacher.org/discord (you'll find the link there along with my free China Survival Guide)
Transparency Note:
⚠️ REFERRAL DISCLOSURE: This is a referral link. When you sign up and complete the 1 yuan activation transfer, both you and I receive a 100 CNY bonus at no extra cost to you. I only recommend services I personally use and genuinely believe will help you. All opinions in this chapter are my own based on my actual experience using SkyRemit.
This is exactly how I will be sending money home every month from here on. The 100 CNY bonus is a nice perk for both of us, but I'd recommend SkyRemit even without it - the time savings and lower fees make it a no-brainer compared to monthly bank visits.
Once You Get Your Own Referral Code
After your first transfer, you'll get your own referral code. Share it with other foreign worker friends you know or meet - you'll both get 100 CNY for each person who signs up and sends their first transfer.
Important Things to Know
Eligibility
You must be legally working in China with proper documentation (work visa/permit, residence permit, and tax records showing Chinese income). SkyRemit is specifically designed for expats with legal employment.
Transfer Limits
Your annual limit depends on your tax records. Most teachers can transfer up to 50,000 USD equivalent per year. If you need to transfer more, you'll need special approval and additional documentation.
To increase your limit, upload more tax records showing higher income. The button is in your account dashboard.
Is It Safe?
Yes. SkyRemit is:
Officially approved and regulated by the People's Bank of China (PBOC)
A licensed financial institution
Recommended by the Shanghai government for expat remittances
Backed by Skyee (Lakala member, stock code: 300773)
They have excellent reviews on Trustpilot (4.7 stars, 57+ reviews) with users praising the smooth process and fast transfers.
Supported Countries
SkyRemit sends to 43 currencies and 218 countries/regions. Major destinations include Australia, USA, UK, Canada, most of Europe, and many Asian countries.
When You Might Still Need the Bank
If SkyRemit doesn't support your destination country
If you need to send more than your annual limit
If you're sending to a business (not a personal account)
For specialized transfers (property purchase deposits, etc.)
My Honest Take
Look, I'll be completely straight with you: having to physically go to the bank every single month to send money home felt archaic in 2024. The process made sense from a regulatory standpoint (preventing money laundering, tax evasion, etc.), and the documentation requirements actually protect you as a foreign worker by ensuring everything's above board.
But spending 90+ minutes at the bank every month? Brutal.
Pros of SkyRemit:
Saves massive amounts of time
Much cheaper (79 RMB vs 300-500 RMB)
Better exchange rates
Convenient (24/7 from your phone)
Fast (usually 24-48 hours)
Legitimate and regulated
Cons:
First-time setup still requires document verification
Not all destination countries supported
Annual transfer limits (though adequate for most teachers)
Requires smartphone and WeChat
The Verdict:
If you're teaching in China and need to send money home regularly, SkyRemit is hands-down the better option. Set it up once, and every subsequent transfer takes under 5 minutes.
Setting Yourself Up for Success
Before you need to send money:
Download the Chinese tax app (个人所得税) and familiarize yourself with downloading your tax certificate
Save your overseas bank details in your phone notes (full name, bank name, account number, SWIFT code, address)
Take clear photos of your passport, residence permit, and employment documents
Set up SkyRemit early so you're verified and ready when payday comes
After your first transfer, you'll wonder why you ever went to the bank in the first place.
And hey - at least you're getting paid in a currency you can actually transfer home. Not every country makes this as straightforward as China does for legal foreign workers.
Now you know exactly how to get your money where it needs to go. Go teach/work, get paid, and send that cash back to your home country without stress.