I. Residence Registration upon Entry into the Chinese Mainland

(i) Foreign nationals staying in hotels can have the residence registration handled by the hotels. Foreign nationals can register residence by presenting a valid passport or other international travel documents at the hotel front desk.

(ii) Foreign nationals staying elsewhere shall register residence with local police stations within 24 hours after arrival. Either foreign nationals or hosts who accommodate them can complete residence registration with local police stations by presenting a valid passport or other international travel documents, along with proof of address.

(iii) Online residence registration for foreign nationals residing in places other than hotels. In seven pilot provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government), including Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing, and Sichuan, foreign nationals or their hosts can complete residence registration online through the Government Service Platform of the National Immigration Administration of China.

II. Important Points to Note

(i) Validity period of visa and duration of stay

Foreign nationals who enter with a visa and intend to work and reside in the Chinese mainland shall apply for a residence permit within 30 days from the date of entry as required. If extension of stay specified in the visa is required, an application should be filed seven days prior to the expiration of the duration of stay to the exit and entry administration authority of public security organs of governments at the county level or above in places of residence, along with the necessary documents supporting the reason for the application.

(ii) Validity period of residence permit

Foreign nationals who wish to stay in the Chinese mainland beyond the expiration of the residence permits shall apply for an extension 30 days prior to the expiration. Where there is any change to the passport or residence permit, an application for renewal of residence permit shall be filed within 10 days from the date such change occurs to the exit and entry administration authority of public security organs.

(iii) Validity period of work permit

Foreign nationals working in China shall obtain a foreigner's work permit (hereinafter referred to as the "work permit") and other documents as required, and apply for a work-type residence permit as required. Short-term expatriate employees who work for no more than 30 days should work within the time specified on the work permits and stay for the duration indicated on the Z-visas. Those who work for more than 30 days should work for the duration specified on the work permit, and file an application for a work-type residence permit valid for 90 days at public security organs, along with the work permits, Z-visas, and other supporting documents. Foreign performing arts groups and individuals may apply for a residence permit at public security organs where the performance organizer is registered or where the first performance takes place, provided they have approval documents for foreign-related business performances issued by the departments of culture and tourism, along with the Z-visas and other necessary documents. Foreign performers who have already obtained residence permits do not need to complete residence procedures again when performing at other venues in China.

For extension of a work permit, an application shall be filed by the employers, within 30 days prior to the expiry date, to local provincial or municipal departments of human resources and social security (responsible for administration of employment of foreign experts).

In case of any change to personal information (such as name, passport number, or position), an application for renewal of work permit shall be filed, within 10 working days from the date such change occurs, to local provincial or municipal departments of human resources and social security (responsible for administration of employment of foreign experts).

(iv) Other matters

Please comply with Chinese laws and regulations when posting comments on social media in China.

Please follow applicable rules when owning dogs, cats, and other pets.

Do not take photographs of military sites, including buildings, locations, and facilities that are directly used for military purposes.

III. How to Get Help in Case of Emergencies

If your personal safety or property is threatened, please dial 110.

In case of fire, please dial 119.

To seek first aid, please dial 120.

If your passport is lost, please promptly notify the nearest police station.

For information about immigration or entry-exit procedures, please call the 12367 service hotline.

Source: A Guide to Working and Living in China as Business Expatriates (2026 Edition) issued by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China