Immigrate to China - Visas, Routes and Procedures

Ready to immigrate to China in 2026? This article presents you with the main routes, information on visas, and various procedures to consider. We invite foreign citizens to reach out to our Chinese lawyers and discuss further details on the legal services we can provide in this process.

Quick Facts
Entry visa requirement (from EU) (YES/NO)	NO for stays of up to 30 days for nationals of most EU states (unilateral visa-free policy until 31 December 2026); YES for work, study or longer stays
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (YES/NO)	YES, but exceptions might apply.
Types of visas available	– diplomatic, services, – tourist, – business, – student, – work visas
Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.)	Around 4 working days
Validity of temporary residence permit	90 days to 5 years (work) or 180 days to 5 years (other purposes), renewable
Temporary residence permit renewal requirements	– original registration form from the previous application, – valid passport with the entry visa, – proof of domicile in China
Documents for obtaining a residence permit	– valid passport with Chinese entry visa, – clear criminal record, – health certificate, – proof of domicile, – completed standard forms offered by the authorities
Requirement for obtaining permanent residence (approx.)	Living in China for at least 4 years
Investor Visa availability	No dedicated investor visa (EB-5 is a US visa); investors use M or Z visas and can apply for permanent residence after 3 years of stable investment
Start-up Visa Scheme availability	No national start-up visa; some cities (e.g. Shanghai, Beijing) grant private-affairs residence permits to foreign graduates starting a business
Sponsorship requirement (YES/NO)	YES
How long does it take to obtain Chinese citizenship?	No fixed period: the Nationality Law sets no minimum residence and naturalization is discretionary and rarely granted
Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability	– direct investment of at least USD 500,000-2 million (depending on region and sector), stable for 3 years, for permanent residence – no citizenship-by-investment programme exists
Taxation of foreign citizens	Tax rates range from 3% to 45% depending on the amount of income.
Tax benefits for expats	– special deductions for house lease, – children’s education, etc.

Who can relocate to China? Are there any restrictions?

There is no restriction imposed on citizens who want to immigrate to China. One must secure a Chinese visa first, according to his/her relocation purposes to China.

What types of visas are available in China?

Tourist visa L,
Business visa M,
Work visa Z,
Family visas Q & S,
Talent visa R,
Student visa X, etc.

NOTE! Q1 visa is issued for long-term family reunification in China, while the student visa X1 is for long-term studies.

What is the time frame to obtain a visa for China?

About 4 working days or faster through express services. In other countries the time frame for obtaining a visa can be longer, for example in Spain the time frame for obtaining work visa is up to 8 months. However, if you want to relocate to Spain,
we recommend this experienced team of immigration attorneys in Spain – Immigrate-Spain.com.

Those interested in immigration to China must first find out what kind of visa is required. Below is an infographic with details abouthow to relocate to China:

What are the steps for getting residency in China in 2026? When should I apply?

Applying for a temporary residence permit for China must be done within 30 days of entering the country. Here are some of the key formalities:

work visa holders must be sponsored by the hiring company. In this sense, a Foreign Work Permit Notification Letter from the Chinese government will be issued.
in the cases of students attending courses at universities in China, an invitation letter will be needed in order to apply for a residence permit and legally relocate here.

NOTE! If you want to immigrate to China for a longer period, you should register with the local police station within about 24 hours and then start the procedures to get the residence permit.

What are the required documents to get a residence permit in China?

proof of a valid Passport,
health insurance,
proof of accommodation and registration to the police station,
proof of sponsorship in case of relocation for family reunification, studies, work, etc.,
temporary residence registration form (TRRF),
medical report,
vlear criminal record, etc.

NOTE! Applicants will be interviewed by the exit-entry administration of the Public Security Bureau to confirm their identity.

You can also watch the following video presentation on this topic:

When can I apply for a permanent residence permit in China?

After living in China for at least 4 years without interruptions and no criminal activities registered here.

OBSERVATION! The rules for getting a permanent residence permit in China have been strengthened in recent years, and immigration authorities make rigorous checks. Make sure you work with a specialist in the field (such as our Chinese lawyers) to ensure all conditions are respected.

Is residency by investment possible in China?

Yes. Such investments must be directed to a business in China.

Is there a minimum investment amount required to qualify for an investor-based residence permit in China in 2026?

Can start at USD 500,000.

Can I legally work in China if I enter on a student visa?

International students can only access part-time jobs in China.

Do foreigners have access to the public Chinese healthcare system, or is private insurance needed?

If you immigrate to China for work purposes, then you can access the public healthcare system.

NOTE! If you are interested in moving to Beijing, our immigration lawyers in China can help you throughout the process; don’t hesitate to get in touch with our lawyers for legal representation on Chinese Immigration Law.

Besides helping you with moving to China, you are welcome to get a consultation from our divorce lawyers in China if you are about to dissolve your marriage. Also, our Chinese lawyers can assist with trademark registration in China and the involved procedures. Contact our law firm in China and make an appointment as soon as possible, including for citizenship in China.