Shanghai Arrival Information

Check Your Spam Folder

We’ll be sending you class reports, updates, and useful info throughout your program. Sometimes these emails end up in spam so please whitelist us now to make sure nothing important gets missed.

Either click “Not Spam” on any of our emails, or add these addresses to your contacts:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Registration Form

Before you arrive, please fill out our Registration Form. This is how we organise your classes, accommodation, and everything else, so the sooner you do it, the better.

Once we have your details, we’ll get straight to work. You can typically expect your class schedule and accommodation information around one to two weeks before your start date.

Heads up: If the registration form isn’t filled out on time, we can only arrange things based on availability rather than what’s best for you. Don’t let that happen!

Course Prep Meeting

Before classes begin, all students meet with our Director of Studies for a one-to-one Orientation Meeting. It’s a great chance to talk through your goals, ask questions, and make sure your program is set up perfectly.

Jot down any questions you have beforehand, you’ll get the most out of it that way.

Your Student Information Portal

As an LTL student you’ll get access to your own Student Information Portal, a personalised hub where you can:

• View your class schedule and past lessons
• Access language study resources and city guides
• See upcoming social events
• Submit feedback to our team

Your personalised link is in the “Welcome to LTL” email we sent you. Bookmark it! If you can’t find it, just ask your Student Advisor.

We genuinely love hearing from students, so please use the portal to share feedback, suggestions, or anything you think we could improve.

Start Dates

We have monthly start dates when more is happening at the school! During these times we also run a Welcome Breakfast and Orientation for new students, so please feel free to join.

Check the “Start Dates” entry in your Student Portal for full details and upcoming dates.

Before you arrive

Read our Complete Must-Pack Preparation Guide before you travel, it covers everything you need for a smooth arrival.

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Arrival card

Before entering China, you will need to fill out an Arrival Card with your passport details, visa number, place of stay, and other information. If you have booked accommodation with LTL but don’t yet have those details, you may use the school address instead.

Important: The Arrival Card is sometimes double-sided, make sure to fill out both sides. Failure to complete it may lead to extra questions at Passport Control.

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Visa-free Entry

If you are a citizen of one of the countries eligible to enter China for 30 days without a visa, please read the FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China before you travel.

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Onward Ticket Requirement

Some airlines ask for proof of an onward journey before boarding. If needed, you can reserve (without paying) a flight on Ctrip or a similar site and print the confirmation.

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Flight Delays or Missed Flights

If you have an Airport Pickup or Survival Kit booked and your flight is delayed or you miss it, please let the Director of Studies know by email and phone as soon as possible (or ask a friend or relative to do so on your behalf). Our driver will wait up to two hours after your original arrival time. We also monitor arrival times via the airport website. If we can’t reschedule in time, get in touch and we’ll arrange a new pickup.

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Check-in and Check-out Flight Times

Please review the Check-In / Check-Out Flight Times information before you travel.

Arriving at Shanghai Pudong International Airport

You will most likely be arriving at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. There are three different terminals, most international flights arrive at Terminal 3.

Once landed, please go straight through immigration and luggage pick-up as quickly as the queues allow. If you have booked a Survival Kit or Airport Pickup, our driver will be waiting for you after Customs Control. He will hold a sign with your name and/or the LTL logo, and will drive you to your accommodation or the school.

Can’t find the driver? He may be using the toilet or you may have just missed the sign. If your flight arrived early or you can’t locate him, please wait at the nearby Starbucks coffee shop and he will find you there.

Please note that very few local people speak English. LTL encourages its students to use Mandarin whenever possible, your driver, apartment manager, and homestay family are all professionals who will take good care of you. If a problem arises and you need English-speaking assistance, please borrow a phone and call one of the LTL staff listed below.

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Money, SIM and internet at the airport

Internet in China: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and many other sites are blocked via the “Great Firewall”. Set up a VPN before you arrive, VPN provider websites are often blocked once you’re in China.

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Money tips

Increase your maximum ATM withdrawal limit before you leave home to keep international bank fees down. Most bank and credit cards are accepted in China, but it’s wise to bring a backup card. You’ll typically get the best exchange rate by withdrawing cash from ATMs in China rather than exchanging before you leave.

Outstanding fees: If you have not yet paid in full, please do so within three days of arrival.

Finding the School

Directions: Take subway Line 1, Line 10 or Line 12 to Shaanxi South Road Subway Station. When reaching the station, search for Exit 7. 

When exiting, take a right turn to the end of Nanchang Lu, crossroads wth Xiangyang South Road (at the end of that road). When reaching the China Mobile store, turn left and walk down Xiangyang South Road until the next intersection.

The school building is located on the other side of the crossroad, where you will see Minsheng Bank attached to it. The entrance is to the side, right across the police station.

Meet Your Shanghai Team

These are the people you’ll be working with most closely. Don’t hesitate to reach out before or after you arrive!

Calling note: Do not dial the +86 country code when calling from within China.

Apps to Download Before You Arrive

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Apartment Accommodations

If you are staying in one of our shared apartments, please bear in mind that these are basic, student-grade rooms and not a hotel. You will need to bring your own towels, and together with your flatmates you will need to help keep the apartment clean and tidy. As a rule of thumb, local Chinese university students will wait for you as a foreigner to make the first move. Make an effort to communicate, asking for help finding the supermarket or help with your Chinese homework is a great icebreaker!

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SIM Cards

Under local government regulations, all SIM cards must be purchased with a valid passport and the passport holder must be present. If you have booked a Survival Kit, our team will take you to set one up, just bring your passport.

Your SIM card will include data. If you are a heavy internet user, let us know and we can arrange a larger data package. Once your credit runs out, you can top up via WeChat Pay or at any mobile store. Prepaid cards do not support international calls; for those, we recommend using Whatsapp.

If your phone has an eSIM slot, you can also use Airalo for data-only connectivity across 200+ countries. Please note: Airalo does not support voice calls.

Phone unlock: Make sure your handset is unlocked for use with foreign SIM cards before you leave home. Contact your network provider if you are unsure. An unlocked phone is essential for staying connected in China.

Join the LTL Community

Connect with other students, past and present, and stay in the loop with everything LTL. Join the student WeChat group by adding the Director of Studies using the ID code below, say hello and let everyone know when you’re arriving!

To join the LTL Shanghai student WeChat group, add the Director of Studies directly: WeChat ID: Alexwang89011. Say hello, introduce yourself, and let everyone know when you’re arriving. LTL staff and students are an extremely welcoming bunch!