China · Other

Issuance of Residence Permit for Foreigners

Issuance of Residence Permit for Foreigners is issued by National Immigration Administration (NIA). VisaAI tracks 24 official requirements for it, each traced to the government page that states it.

Last verified against the official source on .

VisaAI is not a government body and does not issue visas. It cannot decide, predict or guarantee the outcome of an application, and this page is not legal or immigration advice.

Requirements change. Confirm every item on National Immigration Administration (NIA)’s own page before you apply.

Each requirement below is written in plain English by VisaAI. The indented text beneath it is quoted from National Immigration Administration (NIA)’s own page, so you can check what we say against what they say. Where a quotation shows “ ... ”, text has been left out.

Conditions you must meet

  • Scope: residence permits for foreignersThe guide states its own scope.
    This Guide is applicable for residence permits for foreigners.
  • Legal basis: the Exit and Entry Administration Law and the Entry-Exit RegulationsThe two instruments the guide is written under.
    Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners
  • Where it is accepted: exit and entry departments of prefecture-level and above public security organsThe NIA entrusts acceptance rather than accepting directly.
    The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has entrusted the exit and entry departments of China's public security organs of cities at prefecture level and above (including districts and counties under the administration of municipalities directly under the central government) to accept applications for residence permits of foreigners.
  • Who applies: foreigners residing for non-diplomatic, non-official reasonsCovers issuance, extension, change and re-issuance in one sentence.
    Foreigners who enter China and need to reside in the country for reasons other than diplomatic or official purposes shall file an application at the exit and entry departments of public security organs for the issuance, extension, change and re-issuance of a residence permit.
  • Work type: up to 5 years for high-level talents, urgently-needed professionals and investorsThe longest work-type validity the guide publishes.
    Residence permit with a validity period of no more than 5 years may be issued to foreign high-level talents, urgently-needed professionals and investors.
  • Work type: up to 2 years for staff of registered entities with a good track recordQuoted separately from the five-year and one-year figures.
    Residence permit with a validity period of no more than 2 years may be issued to foreigners who work in registered entities with good track record.
  • Work type: up to 1 year for everybody elseThe default, and the one most applicants get.
    For other personnel, a residence permit with a validity period of no more than 1 year may be issued.
  • Student type: part-time work or an internship needs a REMARK on the permitApproved by the school first, then applied for at the public security exit-entry department, stating location and duration.
    Where a foreigner holding a residence permit for students intends to work part-time or take internship outside the school/university, the applicant shall, with the approval of the school/university, apply to the exit and entry departments of public security organs for remarks on residence permit indicating the location and duration of the part-time job or internship.
  • Student type: without the remark, working or interning outside the school is not allowedThe consequence, stated by the authority in its own sentence rather than implied.
    Foreigners holding student-type residence permits without the required remarks shall not be allowed to work or take internship outside the school/university.
  • Reunion type: up to 3 years for under-18s and over-60s, up to 2 for others — and a minor’s permit cannot outlast their 18th birthdayThe birthday clause is the part a summary drops.
    For those under the age of 18 or at or above the age of 60, residence permit with a validity period of not more than 3 years may be issued. The date of expiry of the residence permit for a person under the age of 18 shall not be later than the date on which he/she turns 18. For other persons, a residence permit with a validity period of no more than 2 years may be issued.

Official forms

  • All types: the visa/stay permit/residence permit application form and a compliant photoThe photo must comply with the exit-entry document photograph guidelines.
    b. Fill out a Visa/Stay Permit/Residence Permit Application Form and submit a photo that complies with the Guidelines for Exit-Entry Documents Photographs.

Documents you must provide

  • All types: a valid passport or other international travel documentFirst of four baseline materials.
    a. Valid passport or other international travel documents.
  • All types: supporting materials related to the reasons for the applicationThird of four baseline materials.
    c. Supporting materials related to reasons of the application.
  • All types: originals for verification, photocopies for submissionA procedural rule that decides whether a visit succeeds.
    d. Other formalities to be completed and supporting materials to be submitted. The original of relevant materials will be required for verification, and photocopies shall be submitted.
  • Permits over 1 year: a health certificate from a county-level or above institutionThe authority names what it must certify — no serious mental disorder, tuberculosis or other infectious disease hazardous to public health.
    Where a foreigner applies for residence permit with a validity period of above 1 year, the applicant shall submit, in accordance with relevant provisions, a health certificate issued by the local health and quarantine authority or health and medical institution above county level, certifying that the applicant does not have serious mental disorder, tuberculosis or other infectious diseases which may potentially cause substantial hazard to public health. The applicant shall also submit the following supporting materials:
  • Work type: Z-visa entrants submit a work permit and an employer certification letterIssued by the local human resources authority or foreign expert administration.
    Foreigners entering China with a Z visa shall submit a work permit issued by the local human resources and social security authority or foreign expert administration authority, and a letter of certification from the employer.
  • Work type: entrants on other visas prove they meet the high-level talent, urgently-needed professional or investor standardsIssued by competent departments of the Chinese government.
    Foreigners entering China with other categories of visas shall submit supporting materials certifying that they comply with the standards for foreign high-level talents, urgently-needed professionals and investors, etc., issued by the competent departments of the Chinese government.
  • Student type: X1-visa entrants submit a school letter stating the term of study, and an admission or enrolment letterThe permit period follows the stated term of study.
    A foreigner entering China with an X1 visa shall submit a letter from the school/university indicating the term of study, and a letter of admission or enrollment. Foreigners entering China with other categories of visa shall submit supporting materials issued by competent authorities. Residence permit may be issued with a residence period in consistent with the indicated term of study of the school/university.
  • Journalist type: J1-visa entrants submit a provincial foreign affairs letter and a press cardValidity of not more than one year.
    Foreigners entering China with J1 visa shall submit the letter issued by the foreign affairs authority of provincial level people's government and a duly issued Press Card. Residence permit with a validity period of not more than one year may be issued.
  • Reunion type: Q1-visa entrants submit the visited person’s identity certificate and a letter explaining the relationshipEntrants on other visa categories also submit proofs of family relationship.
    Foreigners entering China with Q1 visa shall submit the identity certificate of the person being visited and a letter explaining the relationship between family members.
  • Reunion type: a foreign child in custodial care in China — the full document setBirth certificate, parents’ passports, custody and acceptance-of-custody letters naming the guardian and term, and the custodian’s six-month residence proof and ID card.
    For foreign child of Chinese of foreign nationality or overseas Chinese who is under the age of 18 and in custodial care in China, the exit and entry departments of the public security organ in the place of permanent residence or main place of residence of the custodian may issue a residence permit with a validity period of no more than 3 years. The expiry of his/her residence permit shall not be later than the date on which he/she turns 18. The applicant's birth certificate and a copy of the passports of the foreign parents shall be submitted. For those both or one of whose parents are/is Chinese, a copy of the residence permit in the relevant foreign country shall also be submitted. The applicant shall also submit a letter of child custody from the parents of the applicant and a letter of acceptance of child custody from the custodian. The letter of custody shall clearly indicate the custodian or guardian and the term of the custody, etc. The custodian's local permanent residence permit or proof of residence in the his/her actual place of residence for more than 6 months and the resident ID card shall also be submitted.
  • Private affairs type: S1-visa entrants submit a kinship letter and the visited person’s residence permitThe permit is issued to match the validity of the visited person’s own permit.
    For foreigners entering China with S1 visa for the purpose of visiting family, the applicant shall submit a letter explaining the kinship (spouse, parents, spouse's parents, minor children below 18) from and the residence permit of the person being visited. A residence permit with a validity period consistent with that of the residence permit of the person being visited in China may be issued.

Steps in the process

  • Apply in person — unless you are high-level talent, under 16, over 60, or disabledThe exceptions name exactly who may file on the applicant’s behalf.
    Foreigners applying for a residence permit shall apply in person at exit and entry departments of China's public security organs to complete relevant formalities. For foreigners who are high-level talents or urgently-needed professionals, or under 16 or over 60 years old, or disabled due to illness or other reasons, an application may be filed by the inviting entity/individual, families or relatives or a professional service agency on behalf of the applicant.
  • Where the visa says so: apply within 30 DAYS of entry, in the intended place of residenceThe deadline that expires, and the place is specified too.
    Where a foreigner’s visa indicates that application for residence permit is required after entry, an application shall be filed at the exit and entry departments of public security organs in the intended place of residence within 30 days after entry.

Official sources

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