China Law Key Words · Visa & Immigration
Entry and Exit Permits
Keeping foreign nationals lawfully in and out of China: visa categories, residence continuity, local registration, employer passport checks, and overstay risk control.
- Entry visa categories
- Stay residence rules
- Employers onboarding checks
- Counsel verified directory
What entry & exit compliance covers
Border, stay, and employer control points
Visa & entry categories
Matching travel purpose to the right entry permission before the flight is booked.
Residence continuity
Residence permits, renewals, and conditions for multiple exits and re-entries.
Registration duties
Hotel and police registration themes that trip up new arrivals and internal transfers.
Employer checks
Passport authenticity, visa category, and onboarding controls for foreign staff and project teams.
Start with these guides
Flagship explainers and practical checklists
China visa & immigration law
System-wide orientation for foreign nationals and employers.
Open hub →ResidenceResidence permit applications
Complete legal guide to foreigner residence permit applications.
Read guide →Work + stayWork permits and residence
How work authorisation and residence fit together for foreign nationals.
Read →Z visaZ visa requirements
Entry pathway for long-term work stays.
Read →EmployersWork visas & residence for employers
Complete guide for foreign professionals and employers.
Read →ComplianceImmigration & employment compliance
Working and living compliance themes for foreign staff.
Read →Compliance habits that prevent overstay
Simple controls before problems become fines or bans
- Audit visa purpose vs actual activity Training, meetings, and “helping at the office” can cross into unlawful work.
- Diary residence expiry with buffers Renewal queues and travel can consume the last weeks of validity.
- Complete local registration after moves New addresses and hotels are common miss points.
- Check passport validity windows Many processes require months of remaining passport validity.
- Control project-team rotations Short-term assignees need category and invitation letters that match the itinerary.
- Escalate overstay risk immediately Do not “wait until next trip”—early counsel can limit damage.
Related: Talent & Work Permits · Family Reunion.
Related topics & directories
Continue into neighbouring practice areas
Frequently asked questions
Orientation only—not legal advice
What happens if someone overstays?
Overstay can lead to fines, detention, deportation, or future entry difficulty. Treat it as urgent compliance—not a paperwork inconvenience.
Does a valid passport alone allow re-entry?
No. Re-entry usually depends on visa/residence conditions (including multiple-entry endorsements) and any exit restrictions.
What should employers check on day one?
Passport authenticity, visa/residence category, work authorisation if employment is intended, and registration instructions for the first 24–72 hours.
When is counsel essential?
Overstay, illegal employment allegations, border turns, or complex multi-country histories. See Entry & Exit lawyers.
Entry-exit or residence problem?
Get matched with verified counsel or review the compliance guides above.
Directory and legal information only—not legal advice. No attorney–client relationship is formed by using this site. Rules and thresholds change; verify current requirements for your facts and jurisdiction.
Guides & articles
Practical writing from counsel and the portal editorial team on this topic