China Business Visas

Foreign nationals visiting China need to acquire a visa before entering the country, except for special circumstances allowing for visa-free entry.

Contributing Advisor

Fuki Fu

Manager, Human Resources

There are several visa categories, depending on the reason for entry into China. In this section, we discuss the visa categories according to the purpose of the visit and the procedure to hire foreign employees.

Types of visas

As of October 2025, China recognizes 13 categories of ordinary visas following the introduction of the K visa for young science and technology talent under State Council Order No. 814 (effective October 1, 2025).

Administrative procedures for hiring foreign employees

Hiring foreign employees in China entails several steps and procedures, just like any other country.

To be eligible for work in China, foreigners should meet  the following basic criteria:

• Attained 18 years of age and are healthy;
• Possess the requisite professional skill and the corresponding work experience for the work;
• Have a work and resident permit;
• Have no criminal record;
• Has a confirmed employer in China; and
• Hold a valid passport or any other international travel document.

In addition to a written labor contract, a foreign employee must obtain a work permit and a resident permit to legally work in China. Only in this way will an expatriate be deemed to have established a labor relationship in China and be protected by Chinese labor laws. 

Without a work permit and resident permit, the provision of labor to a company in China means the expatriate is illegally employed, which may lead to penalties for both the company and the foreign employee. Should a dispute arise between the foreign employee and the employer, it falls out of the scope of labor arbitration and will be subject to other general laws and regulations.

According to the Administrative Regulations on the Employment of Foreigners in China and the Entry-Exit Regulation, the due procedures for a company to hire foreign employees who will work in China for over 90 days include:

• Applying for Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit in China;
• Applying for a Z-, R- or K- visa;
• Applying for a Foreigner’s Work Permit; and
• Applying for Resident Permit.

Citizens of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan do not need to go through the administrative procedures for hiring foreign employees – they are under the same treatment as mainland Chinese in employment management.

Applying for a notification letter of foreigner’s work permit in China

The Notification Letter of a Foreigner’s Work Permit in China shows the company's intent to hire a specific foreign national. The application process needs the cooperation of both the employer and the employee.

An employer looking to hire expats must register on the online service platform of the National Human Resources and Social Security Center to get its account at the first time of use, with required documents submitted online. After the online approval from the National Human Resources and Social Security Center, there would be a second registration with the Service system for foreigners working in China in the local city (some cities would require onsite document submission as well).

After registering successfully, the company can submit the application for the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit in China, along with other required documents, through the online service platform of the Human Resources and Social Security Center Upon acceptance of the application, the decision-making body will review the materials and decide within 10~15 working days to approve or decline the employer’s request to hire a foreign worker. A Notification Letter of the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China will be produced online upon approval. For Tier A talents, the time could be reduced to five to eight working days.

The company should help the employee apply for the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit in China before their entry into China and then apply for the Foreigner’s Work Permit within 15 days of their entry. If the employee is already in China, the company can help the foreign employee apply for the Foreigner’s Work Permit directly.

Applying for Z-visa, R-visa, or K-visa

After obtaining the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit in China for the foreign nationals it intends to hire, the company needs to make sure that the expatriates are entering China with the proper visa.

Among the 13 types of visas stipulated under the amended Entry-Exit Regulation (effective October 1, 2025), the Z-, R-, and K-visas can be used as work-related visas, while the requirements differ considerably between them:

• A Z-visa is the most commonly used visa for employment. It is used by foreigners who are actually employed by a company that has been incorporated in China (either domestic or foreign-invested), or who plan to undertake any commercial performance in China;
• An R-visa is a relatively new type of visa issued to high-level foreign personnel and those possessing skills that are in shortage in China. Under China’s tiered talents system, the R-visa is usually applicable to Tier A talents; 
• A K-visa is issued to foreign young science and technology talent who hold at least a bachelor's degree in a STEM field from a recognized university, or who are engaged in relevant education or research. Unlike the Z or R-visa, it does not require a Chinese employer or inviter at the application stage, offering more flexibility for fresh graduates, independent researchers, and entrepreneurs; and,
• The M-visa is known as a "business visa". Although it cannot be used for employment purposes, it enables companies to invite foreigners to China for commercial and trade activities and may thus be useful for doing business in China.

The following documents will be required when applying for a Z-visa or R-visa:

• Application form;
• Passport valid for at least six months;
• Recent passport-size photo; and
• Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit in China.

Under the unified work permit system, the official ‘letter of invitation’ is no longer required to apply for a Z-visa or R-visa.

The visa application may take around five to seven working days, depending on the working procedure of each embassy. Once the visa is granted and the foreign employee arrives in China, they will require a Work Permit and a Resident Permit in addition to registering their Temporary Residence (Accommodation Address).

How many foreign employees can a company hire?

No regulation explicitly stipulates the number of expats a single company can hire in China. In practice, however, local government agencies tend to refuse applications if they think the company unnecessarily hires too many foreign employees. When assessing the necessity of hiring foreigners, the authorities consider the applicant’s business scope and size, registered capital, internal structure, and the specific position in question. However, there are no firm rules on the matter, and companies are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Applying for a foreigner’s work permit

The unified work permit system

Previously, China’s work permit system included two different kinds of work permits - the Alien Employment Permit and the Foreign Expert Permit.  Under this system, it was unclear which work permit the candidates should apply for. Moreover, the application system was largely paper-based and highly bureaucratic, resulting in months-long turnaround times.

The government introduced a unified work permit system to streamline the foreign employment system and avoid deterring high-quality foreign candidates from working legally in China. Under this new single work permit system, a unified model is administered by the State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs (SAFEA) and its local branches, thereby eliminating the confusion and inconformity of the two-permit system.

In this new system, each applicant is assigned a unique ID number that does not change, regardless of permit renewal or change of employer. Documentation requirements are standardized and reduced by nearly 50 percent, with submissions like personal CVs and application letters no longer required.

The tiered talents system

A tiered talent classification system was also introduced with the unified work permit system to attract more high-level foreign talents. Under this system, foreign workers are classified into three tiers:

• Tier A - highly qualified top talents;
• Tier B - professional talents in line with labor market demand; and
• Tier C - other foreign talents in line with labor market demand.

The classification is based on the desirability and eligibility of the expats through a comprehensive evaluation system. This evaluation system includes a point-based system, a catalog for guiding foreigners working in China, a labor market test, as well as a quota administration system. Applicants are also assigned points based on their educational background, salary level, age, past achievements, work experience and length, and Chinese language level. Applicants applying to work in less developed areas may receive additional points. The State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA) has released detailed scoring criteria and other specific standards to evaluate ex-pats on the online service platform of the Human Resources and Social Security Center.

The three-tiered talents are subject to different administrations. Applicants placed in Tier A are eligible for service through a “green channel”, which offers paperless verification, expedited approval, and other facilitation measures. Tier A talents are not limited by age, education, degree, or working experience. However, applicants placed in Tier B are controlled according to the labor market demand, and applicants placed in Tier C are strictly limited by quotas and other relevant rules.

Temporary residence registration

According to the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, all foreigners in China are required to register their place of residence or temporary accommodation with the local police within 24 hours of arrival at the address. This applies to all foreign nationals in China, as well as Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents, whether you are in China for a short-term visit, such as for tourism or business, or living in China long-term for work, study, or family. Failing to register in time may trigger a warning or even a fine of up to RMB 2,000 (US$274) in serious cases. 

Online application for foreigner's work permit

Within 15 days of entering China, the company should apply for a Foreigner’s Work Permit for their foreign employee. The application should be filed through the Service System for Foreigners Working in China by submitting the following documents:

• Application form for Foreigner’s Work Permit;
• Verification of past employment;
• Verification of education or a verification of professional qualification;
• Criminal record certificate;
• Physical examination record for foreigners or overseas Chinese;
• Copy of the job contract or appointment letter;
• Passport;
• ID photo; and
• Information of accompanying members.

Documents required by the applicant’s employer:

• Registration form;
• Business license and organization code certificate;
• ID information of the employer/agent who is responsible for the registration; and
• Industry license documents.

It takes 10 working days for the SAFEA in charge to verify the documents and decide whether to approve them. For Tier A talents, the time could be reduced to five working days. The Foreigner’s Work Permit in China shall be issued on-site upon approval.

The validity period of a work permit

The Foreigner’s Work Permit in China is normally valid for one year. The validity period can be raised to two years for Tier B talents and three years for Tier A talents. However, the validity of the following documents may not be exceeded:

• Employee’s passport;
• The term on the company’s business license; or
• The registration certificate of the employer.

The Foreigner’s Work Permit in China will also be subject to annual review.

For foreigners switching companies or changing nationalities during the validity of their Foreigner’s Work Permit in China, they should deregister their old permit first and then apply for the new one without leaving China, as mentioned above. If only the personal information - name, passport number, and position - is changed, the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China could be simply amended instead of re-applied for.

Obtaining a resident permit

After the employee is granted a work visa and has successfully entered China, the hiring company must help them apply for a resident permit within 30 days of the entrance. Receipt of a resident permit signifies the completion of the administrative procedures for hiring foreign employees, allowing the employees to travel into and out of China as regularly as they require.

The application takes about 7 to 15 working days. The application procedures vary from city to city. For example, in Shanghai, for the first application, the applicant is required to show up in person at a government office to take a digital picture to confirm it is the same person as the passport holder from the application.

The term of validity of the resident certificate is determined in accordance with the validity of the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China, which is usually up to one year. Certain foreign employees can apply for five-year resident permits in some cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, subject to higher qualifications or the applicant used to be a Chinese citizen before.

Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card

The Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card in China is a legal identity document for foreigners granted permanent residency, serving as their primary identification. It streamlines administrative tasks by allowing cardholders to register for accommodations and purchase transportation tickets for cars, boats, and planes without presenting a foreign passport. This card improves the living experience in China by simplifying various legal and administrative processes for permanent foreign residents.

Benefits of Chinese permanent resident status

Renewal of foreigner’s work permit in China

The Foreigner’s Work Permit in China is normally valid for one year. The validity period may be extended to up to two years for Tier B talents and up to five years for Tier A talents. However, the permit validity cannot exceed the validity of the employee’s passport, the term of the company’s business license, or the employer’s registration certificate. In addition, the work permit is subject to annual review.

Renewing the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China is not as difficult or time-consuming as making the initial application. However, companies must have adequate internal tracking to ensure they are aware of each foreign employee’s visa and permit expiry dates. If the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China is not renewed upon expiry, it will be deregistered automatically.

To renew the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China, the employing company should apply to the competent authority at least 30 days prior to the expiry date, with the following documents typically required:

• Application form for renewal;
• Employment contract or other proof of employment;
• Valid visa or residence permit; and,
• Existing Foreigner’s Work Permit in China.

The renewal process usually takes approximately five to ten working days. It is recommended that visa applications and renewals be handled by a reliable agent unless the company has sufficient internal capacity and experience to manage immigration compliance effectively.

When the employment relationship between the employer and the foreign employee ends, the employer is required to deregister the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China within 10 days of termination. If the employer ceases to exist, the foreign employee may apply directly to the local authority to deregister the work permit.

Once the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China is deregistered, the corresponding residence permit must also be cancelled. The foreign national must then apply to the entry-exit administration bureau for a temporary visa, which allows only a limited period of stay in China.

What is China’s visa-free transit policy? 

Visa-free transit is a visa exemption policy offered by China to qualifying travelers from specific countries.

China has significantly expanded its visa-free travel policies in recent years, encompassing unilateral visa-free entry, mutual visa exemption agreements, and the 240-hour visa-free transit program. The following section covers all three types.

UPDATE (March 2026): The Ministry of Commerce together with eight other departments released new policy measures confirming plans to further expand the list of countries eligible for unilateral visa-free entry and to optimize transit visa-free arrangements. Authorities will also study the introduction of electronic visas, pilot online visa applications to shorten processing times, and roll out online completion of entry cards for foreign nationals. Approval procedures for foreigners attending exhibitions and sports events will also be simplified.

UPDATE (February 17, 2026): China extended its unilateral visa-free policy to citizens of Canada and the United Kingdom, enabling stays of up to 30 days. This brings the total number of countries eligible for the unilateral visa-free entry policy to 50. The policy is currently in place until end of 2026.

UPDATE (November 2025): China extended its unilateral visa-free entry policy for citizens of 45 countries until December 31, 2026, and added Sweden to the list. Separately, the 240-hour visa-free transit program was expanded to 65 ports with the addition of Guangzhou, Zhuhai's Hengqin and Zhongshan, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.

UPDATE (September 2025): Russia was granted visa-free entry to China on a trial basis (September 15, 2025 to September 14, 2026), allowing Russian ordinary passport holders to enter for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit.

UPDATE (July 17, 2025): A mutual visa exemption agreement between China and Malaysia took effect, allowing ordinary passport holders of both countries to enter, exit, or transit without a visa for up to 30 days per visit (maximum 90 days within any 180 days). Permitted purposes include tourism, business, family visits, private affairs, and medical treatment.

UPDATE (June 12, 2025): Indonesia was added to the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, expanding the eligible countries to 55.

Countries with mutual visa exemption agreements

China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with over 150 countries, enabling certain citizens to travel to China without a visa. For most countries, visa-free arrangements apply only to diplomatic or official passports. For ordinary passport holders with mutual visa-free access, a single stay is generally limited to 30 days or a cumulative 90 days within any 180-day period, for purposes such as tourism, business, and visiting family. Currently, 29 countries have such ordinary passport exemptions, including Malaysia (effective July 17, 2025), Uzbekistan (June 1, 2025), Samoa (April 2, 2025), Azerbaijan (July 16, 2025), Thailand, Singapore, the UAE, Qatar, Kazakhstan, and others.

Countries enjoying unilateral visa-free travel to China

China currently offers unilateral visa-free travel to 50 countries (as of February 2026). Eligible ordinary passport holders may enter China for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting relatives, or transit, without a prior visa. The policy currently runs until December 31, 2026 for most participating countries. Notable recent additions include Canada and the UK (February 17, 2026), Sweden (November 2025), and Russia (trial basis from September 15, 2025).

Unilateral visa-free countries include most EU member states, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, the UAE, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and others. For stays exceeding 30 days, for cumulative stays surpassing 90 days within 180 days, or for activities such as employment, study, residence, or journalism, an appropriate visa must be obtained before entering China.

What is China's 240-Hour visa-free transit policy?

Visa-free transit is a visa exemption policy offered by China to qualifying travelers from specific countries. It allows foreign visitors from 55 designated nations to stay in select Chinese cities for up to 240 hours (10 days) without obtaining a visa. This represents a significant upgrade from the previous 72-hour and 144-hour policy, following the December 2024 expansion. The policy now covers 65 ports across 24 provinces.

To qualify, travelers must enter and leave China through approved ports, remain within the permitted cities or regions, hold a valid onward ticket to a third country or region, and meet other specified conditions. It is important to note that entering China under the visa-free transit policy when not continuing travel to a third country will be considered illegal entry.

To obtain this visa exemption, travelers must have:

• A valid passport from one of the 55 eligible countries, which are valid for more than three months from the arrival date;
• An interline ticket (connecting ticket) with confirmed departure date and seat number leaving for a third country or region; and
• The landing card for foreigners in transit, filled out upon arrival in China.

The 55 eligible countries for the 240-hour visa-free transit are:

• 25 countries in the Europe Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
• 15 other countries in Europe: Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, and Belarus.
• Six countries in the Americas: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.
• Two countries in Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.
• Seven countries in Asia: Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Indonesia (added June 12, 2025).

Despite the name, China's visa-free transit policy does not allow travel to any city in the country. The eligible cities, corresponding entry ports, and scope of permitted travel areas are listed in the table below.

Latest travel requirements for China

China Briefing tracks the very latest policies and requirements for international travelers seeking to navigate China's complex travel and immigration requirements. Given the rapid pace of change in China's visa-free and entry facilitation policies through 2025 and into 2026, travelers and businesses are advised to verify current requirements with the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate before travel.