China Visas & Residence Permits
Practical guidance for international applicants of all nationalities. Your passport, country of legal residence, purpose, destination and intended stay determine the route. Mainland China is covered here; Hong Kong and Macau have separate systems.
Visa-free visits: check your nationality
The 26 August 2026 notice covers ordinary passports from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, United Kingdom, Canada, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Russia.
Eligible visits are up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges or transit. The notice runs to 31 December 2026, with Russia listed separately to 31 December 2027. Other bilateral exemptions may apply. This is not a blanket EU exemption: check your passport and travel date with the responsible Chinese mission before booking. Visa-free entry does not authorise ordinary employment.
Transit routes
The NIA's August 2026 guidance lists 240-hour transit for 57 nationalities through designated ports and permitted areas, with a confirmed onward journey to a third country or region. The separate 24-hour transit rule has its own conditions; leaving the restricted port area requires permission. A return trip to the same country is not automatically qualifying transit.
Choose the correct visa
L: tourism. M: commercial and trade visits. F: exchanges and invited visits. Z: employment route, requiring the relevant work authorisation. X1/X2: study over 180 days / up to 180 days.
Q1/Q2: qualifying family of Chinese citizens or permanent residents, for residence / short visits. S1/S2: qualifying relatives of foreigners in China or private affairs, for longer / shorter stays. Relationship and sponsor documents differ by route.
R: qualifying high-level talent. K: qualifying young STEM talent, including certain graduates, researchers and teachers; no Chinese employer or inviting organisation is required for this entry route. Eligibility is individually assessed. Do not assume it replaces employment permission. D: entry following approval of permanent residence. Crew (C), transit (G) and journalism (J1/J2) have specialist requirements.
Work, founders and remote workers
A company shareholding is not a work permit. Ordinary employment normally involves an eligible Chinese employer, a work-permit notification, the appropriate visa, a work permit and work-type residence permission. Shanghai's checklist includes passport, degree and work evidence, employment contract, criminal-record evidence and medical documents. Authentication or apostille requirements must be checked for the issuing country.
Founders and investors may qualify under specific employment, talent or local entrepreneurship routes, subject to evidence and approval. No general mainland digital-nomad visa has been identified in the official routes reviewed. Remote work for an overseas business must be assessed individually; a tourist or business visit is not a general work authorisation. Explore China business setup.
Residence, renewals and permanent residence
A visa is an entry document for a specified purpose; lawful short stay, work permission, residence permission and permanent residence are different. Where required, apply for residence permission within 30 days after entry. Residence renewal should be requested 30 days before expiry; ordinary visa extensions at least seven days before the authorised stay expires. Changes of status are subject to local approval, not guaranteed.
Permanent residence has demanding investment, employment, exceptional-contribution and family routes. Property purchase does not automatically qualify. A Chinese spouse alone is insufficient: the general spouse route includes marriage and residence-duration conditions, annual presence, stable income and accommodation.
Documents and application steps
1. Check nationality, passport type, legal residence, purpose and the responsible consulate.
2. Prepare the online application, passport, photo and route-specific evidence: itinerary, invitation, admission, employment or relationship records.
3. Complete the mission's preliminary review and any required passport submission, fingerprints or interview.
4. Check the issued visa's entries and permitted stay, then complete local registrations after arrival.
Medical evidence is required for some work/residence procedures; NIA guidance requires a health certificate for residence permits exceeding one year. Insurance requirements depend on the route and institution; arrange suitable cover and verify the applicable checklist. Avoid non-refundable commitments before the necessary approvals.
Register your accommodation
Hotels register hotel guests. For private accommodation, you or your host must register within 24 hours of arrival. Nationwide online registration began on 21 September 2026 through the NIA website, NIA 12367 app, WeChat and Alipay mini programs. In-person registration remains valid.
Fees, timing and our support
Embassy, visa-centre, residence-permit and third-party charges are separate. They vary by nationality, application country, category and processing option. Online review, document legalisation and work-permit processing can add time; no universal turnaround or approval is promised.
Roch Agency can provide initial route guidance, document organisation and coordination with appropriate local professionals. We confirm the applicants covered, scope, service fee and external costs in writing before work starts. China service packages are individually quoted. Legal, tax and regulated representation are handled by appropriately qualified providers where required.
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Official sources
Checked 29 October 2026. Rules and appointments may change; final decisions remain with the authorities.
30-day exemption notice · Transit rules · Visa categories and documents · K visa · Work permits · Residence permits · Extensions · Permanent residence · Accommodation registration
Photo: Denys Nevozhai / Unsplash, D8iZPlX-2fs. Unsplash License.