China Law Key Words · Practice Area
Visa and Immigration
A practical map of China entry, stay, and work status—from visa categories and work permits to residence permits, family members, talent programmes, and employer compliance.
- Work permits & Z visas
- Stay residence permits
- Family reunion pathways
- Counsel verified directory
What this practice area covers
Status, sponsorship, and compliance for foreign nationals and China employers
Work visas & permits
Z visas, work authorisation, employer sponsorship duties, and talent classification themes for foreign professionals.
Residence & entry-exit
Residence permits, renewals, local registration, and exit-entry rules that keep lawful stay intact.
Dependants & reunion
Q-type and family reunion pathways so spouses and children can align timelines with the principal.
Investment-linked stay
When business presence or investment is part of the residence story—substance, documents, and PR angles.
Start with these guides
Flagship explainers and practical checklists
China visa & immigration law
National overview: work, residence, family reunion, talent schemes, and when to instruct counsel.
Open hub →Z visaChina work visa (Z visa) requirements
Application process themes employers and professionals must align before filing.
Read guide →ComplianceImmigration & employment compliance
Working and living in China: how immigration status interfaces with employment rules.
Read →TalentWork permits & talent programmes
Legal overview of foreign work permits and talent tracks.
Read →FamilyFamily reunion visas
Comprehensive guide for foreign nationals bringing dependants to China.
Read →KeywordInvestment immigration hub
Investor residence, China PR, and outbound golden-visa pathways.
Open keyword →How teams plan immigration work
A sequence that reduces refusal and overstay risk
- Confirm the purpose of stay Work, family, study, talent, or investment—each maps to different categories and evidence.
- Identify the sponsor Employer, family principal, or self-sponsored structure must match the application narrative.
- Build a document package early Contracts, degrees, no-criminal records, medicals, and translations often sit on the critical path.
- Align HR and immigration calendars Onboarding dates, probation, and residence renewals should not drift from visa validity.
- Register and renew on time Hotel/police registration and residence renewals are common compliance failure points.
- Plan family and tax together Dependants and day-count for tax residence can undo an otherwise clean status plan.
Drill into sub-topics: Talent & Work Permits, Family Reunion, Entry & Exit Permits, and Investment Immigration.
Related topics & directories
Continue into neighbouring practice areas
Frequently asked questions
Orientation only—not legal advice
What is the difference between a visa and a residence permit in China?
A visa is typically the entry permission; after arrival, many long-stay categories convert into a residence permit that authorises ongoing stay (and often multiple exits/entries). Work status usually also requires a work permit or equivalent authorisation. See the China visa & immigration overview.
Can an employer hire a foreign national on a tourist visa?
Tourist or short-stay categories are generally not a lawful basis for local employment. Employers should plan Z-visa / work-permit pathways before onboarding. Practical themes are covered in the Z visa guide and immigration–employment compliance page.
Where do family members fit in?
Spouses and children often follow the principal on family reunion or dependant categories. Timing, documents, and school or housing plans should be coordinated. Start with the Family Reunion keyword hub.
When should I instruct a lawyer?
Complex multi-country histories, prior overstays, investment-linked residence, criminal records, or employer-scale programmes benefit from early counsel. Browse Visa & Immigration lawyers or ask a lawyer.
Need counsel on China visas or residence?
Connect with verified immigration lawyers, or browse practical guides before you file.
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