General information only. Work authorisation, residence, permanent residence, and exit-entry enforcement turn on nationality, employer registration, local practice, and immigration history. This is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Confirm requirements with the competent authority and qualified counsel before you travel, start work, or change status.
Expat status & work authorisation cluster: Hub · Class A vs B · M-visa risks · Permit timeline · Five-Star Card · Overstay · Change employer · Job loss visa timeline · Police registration (24h) · Primary sources · Checklist
Also in Living in China: Living hub · Expat IIT · Immigration–employment compliance · IIT wiki · Counsel blogs
2026 reading posture: Classification points, invitation templates, and local windows move. Use this hub for structure; verify numbers on the local system and with counsel before you file.
Who this hub is for
- Multinational HQ legal / HR placing executives or specialists in China
- Foreign GMs and founders already in China on the wrong status
- Long-stay visitors evaluating work vs non-work paths (high-level only)
Status spine (decision order)
- Will the person perform work for a China entity? If yes, plan a Work Permit + residence path—not a pure business visit pattern.
- Can the employer sponsor? Unlicensed shells and pure RO edge cases need early structuring advice.
- Which talent class is realistic (A / B / C)? See Class A vs B.
- Entry visa vs change of status in-country — nationality and local practice dependent.
- Residence permit after work permit — address registration still fails clean files.
- Long-term options — extensions, employer change, or Five-Star Card / PR.
Red lines English searchers hit hardest
| Scenario | Why it triggers search | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Job loss / termination | Work permit & residence tied to sponsor; short transition window | Job loss visa timeline · Police registration (24h) |
| Working on an M (business) visa | Illegal employment exposure | M-visa penalties |
| Overstay after project delay | Fines, exit records, future visa friction | Overstay |
| Switching employer without cancellation | Sponsorship mismatch | Change employer · Job loss visa timeline · Police registration (24h) |
| Assuming PR is “buyable” | Eligibility storytelling vs criteria | Five-Star Card |
Action guides in this cluster
- Work Permit Class A vs B (points orientation)
- M-visa illegal employment risks & penalties
- Work Permit + residence permit timeline
- Five-Star Card / permanent residence
- Overstay fines & deportation themes
- Changing employer & cancelling a work permit
- Z visa requirements
- Document checklist
- Notification letter overview
- Primary sources
Related China Law List guides
- Expat banking & salary FX
- Social insurance for foreign employees
- Renting & lease rights
- Driver’s licence conversion
- Police registration (24h)
- Living in China hub — top-level map for tax, family, property and disputes
- Z visa requirements (wiki)
- Work permit notification letter
- Immigration employment compliance (employer/assignment control)
- IIT for foreigners · Expat IIT hub
- Visa and Immigration practice guide
Counsel blog writing (same cluster)
These Visa & Immigration directory posts add practitioner narrative. For decisions and red lines, stay on this hub; open a blog when you need longer document stories or employer-side colour. Each post should point back here.
- Work visas & permits overview — legally reviewed with Liang Hu (Talent & Work Permits)
- Talent and work permits guide — Liang Hu counsel blog
- Visa & residence permit system — category overview narrative
- Work permits & residence (complete) — long-form; use hub for action order
- Professionals & employers joint guide — Ming Xu scope
- What foreign professionals must document
- A-B-C classification (Hebei counsel angle) — pairs with Class A vs B guide
- PR for foreign investors — pairs with Five-Star Card eligibility
- Family reunion visas — Jie Li / Family Reunion practice; also see Living in China family path
- Full Visa & Immigration blog index
Need counsel on China work status?
Browse Talent & Work Permit lawyers · Entry & Exit counsel · Living in China hub or Ask a Lawyer with your passport nationality, intended role, and current visa type.