Frequently Asked Questions · 2026

First time with The Arch? Start here.

Applications, pricing, what's included, logistics, and how partnerships work. Tap a question to open it.

Yes, paying a fair price is what keeps each cohort small, access real, and the program accountable to the people in the room.

Every seat is reviewed individually — here's how it works:

  1. Apply via the "Apply to Participate" button with a few lines on you, your work, and which week(s) you're applying for.
  2. Our team reviews applications on a rolling basis, followed by a short conversation so we can learn more about you and shape the right fit for your week.
  3. If accepted, you'll receive an offer with payment instructions and a deadline to confirm your seat.
  4. Once confirmed — welcome to the cohort. We'll follow up with housing, itinerary, and pre-arrival details.

Full payment is required to secure your spot. Your place is only confirmed once payment has been received in full.

All payments are non-refundable. If you're unable to attend, however, you may transfer your spot to another person, subject to approval by The Arch.

Yes — apply to each week individually. Write to us directly for group arrangements.

We offer different passes to fit different needs, schedules, and goals.

Single-Week Access and the Fellowship are two separate programs with their own agendas. Single-Week participants follow the full itinerary for their selected week, including full access to the scheduled company, factory, and lab visits.

The Fellowship is a three-week program in Shanghai, with full three-week participation required. with partial access to selected company visits. Some of these visits may overlap with the Single-Week itinerary, but Fellows do not join the full company-visit schedule and do not travel to other cities as part of the program.

So while there may be some overlap, the two tracks are designed as independent experiences rather than different access levels to the same itinerary.

  • Full access to the week's company, factory & lab visits
  • Closed-door founder & investor sessions, plus B2B meetings with Chinese companies
  • Accommodation for the week
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner, including the program's official dinners
  • All transport within China for the week, including domestic flights between cities and airport pickups
  • Professional interpretation
  • A team on the ground with you throughout

International flights. For visas, we can provide an invitation letter, but don't handle the application itself. Insurance isn't included either, though we're happy to share a recommended list.

Housing on Fuxing Island, partial access to the week's company visits, and shared workspace to build.

Based on Fuxing Island, Shanghai. Week 1 is Shanghai only; Week 2 adds Beijing; Week 3 adds Shenzhen.

November 1–21, 2026.

20–30 residents per week.

US passport holders

Depends on length of stay

The US is not on the visa-free list. A short stay may be covered by the 240-hour visa-free transit route, though conditions apply and the three-week Fellowship runs past its limit. Check the current policy before booking.

Most of Europe, UK, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand

Likely visa-free

Around 50 countries currently have 30-day visa-free entry, which covers business travel and is long enough for the full three weeks. The UK and Canada were added in February 2026.

All other nationalities

Visa likely required

Apply at your local consulate. Some nationalities also qualify for the transit route above.

Yes — see the Partners page for how to get involved.

The Fellowship is a place to live, work and build in Shanghai with a global community of builders and makers. Choose any of the three program weeks. Apply and tell us what you're building. Payment is requested after your application is approved.