Foreigners Coming to China
China entry, handled end to end
Work permits · Z visas · Permanent residence · Dependants
Bilingual, compliance-first support for foreign executives, specialists, and their families — from the first assessment to the residence permit in hand.
Work permit classification
A, B, and C talent tiers
High-end talent
Scientists, technology leaders, international entrepreneurs, regional executives of multinationals, and core members of high-tech teams who meet the national “high-level, scarce” criteria.
- Points
- Points score of 85 or above
- Salary benchmark
- Annual salary of at least 6× the local average
- Validity
- Residence permit of up to 5 years; no age, education, or work-experience limits
Professional talent
Technical specialists, mid-level managers, R&D leads, and foreign language teachers in demand by the local economy.
- Points
- Points score of 60 or above
- Salary benchmark
- Annual salary of at least 4× the local average
- Validity
- Bachelor’s degree + 2 years of relevant experience; residence permit typically 1–2 years
Ordinary talent
Workers meeting specific labor-market needs in temporary, seasonal, non-technical, or service roles.
- Points
- Managed under the national labor-market quota
- Salary benchmark
- According to intergovernmental agreements or specific projects
- Validity
- Work and residence permits usually valid for no more than 1 year
Classification is decided by the local science and technology (foreign experts) authority together with the entry-exit administration. Points, salary benchmarks, and validity vary by city and are reviewed case by case.
What a compliant work status provides
Lawful employment status
A compliant work permit brings the employee under China’s Labor Law framework and removes the compliance risk of unauthorized employment.
Freedom to enter and exit
During the residence permit’s validity, the holder may enter and leave China without applying for a new visa each time.
Long-term residence
Depending on the talent tier, permits run from 1 to 5 years, and renewals can generally be completed inside China.
Digital government
Work-permit and residence-permit data are increasingly processed in parallel, reducing paperwork and physical-card handling.
Social insurance
Foreign employees are generally covered by China’s social insurance framework, with housing-fund contributions available voluntarily in many cities.
Family relocation
Spouses, minor children, and in some cases parents may apply for dependent visas that mirror the principal holder’s stay.
What we handle
New applications
Renewals
Changes
- Change of employer inside China
- Change of position or work location
- Permit update after passport renewal
- Change of employer name or legal representative
- Change of residential address registration
Cancellation
Dependants
Business setup
Supporting documents
- Apostille of overseas documents
- Consular legalization for non-Hague states
- CSCSE education credential verification
- Certified translation and stamping
The standard sequence
Assessment
A senior advisor reviews the candidate, employer, and timeline, and proposes the right route.
Document review
A bilingual team checks every document before filing to avoid a second submission.
Work permit notice
We file the foreign work permit application and track it through the review.
Z visa abroad
The candidate applies for the Z visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate using the permit notice.
Residence permit
After entry, we complete the work permit and residence permit formalities in China.
Permanent residence
China’s “Five-Star Card”
The permanent residence identity card lets foreign nationals live in China indefinitely and enter and leave with their passport and card, without a separate visa. Applications run through five broad channels.
Investment
For investors meeting the required investment amount and conditions.
Employment
For senior managers or core technical staff who meet the position and tenure requirements.
Contribution
For foreign high-level talent with major contributions to China or special national need.
Family reunion
For direct relatives of Chinese citizens or permanent residents.
Points-based
For foreign entrepreneurs or technical staff in designated demonstration zones.
Eligibility is assessed against published criteria and local practice. A consultation is recommended before preparing documents.
Read the permanent residence guide →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Z visa and a work permit?
The Z visa is the entry visa issued abroad. The work permit is the domestic authorization to work, and the work-type residence permit is the document that lets the holder stay. A typical sequence is: work permit notice → Z visa → entry → work permit → residence permit.
Can a foreign employee switch employers without leaving China?
In many cases, yes — if the new employer is in the same industry, the role is comparable, and there is no gap in status. The rules vary by city and by talent tier, so the case should be reviewed before resignation.
How long does the process take?
A straightforward Class B case commonly takes several weeks from document collection to residence permit, depending on the city, the completeness of documents, and embassy appointment availability. Class A cases may move faster.
Can family members come with the employee?
Spouses and minor children can generally apply for S1/S2 visas and then convert to a private-affairs residence permit. Some cities also allow parents to join under specific conditions.
What is China’s permanent residence (the “Five-Star Card”)?
It is the permanent residence identity document for foreign nationals. Holders may enter and leave China with their passport and card without a separate visa, and their stay is not time-limited. Applications run through investment, employment, contribution, family reunion, or points-based channels.
Bringing someone to China?
Send us the role, the city, and the candidate’s nationality. We will tell you which route is realistic — and what it will take.