To facilitate foreign business expatriates working and living in China, the
Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, in collaboration with
relevant departments, has compiled A Guide to Working and Living in China as
Business Expatriates (2024 Edition) . It includes four parts, Notes, Daily Life
Services, Services for Stay and Residence in China, and Relevant Services for
Work in China, covering matters such as residence registration, SIM card, bank
card, residence permit, work permit, social insurance, mobile payment,
transportation, payment of individual income tax, and etc. We will update the
Guidelines on an annual basis pursuant to changes in relevant policies and
procedures.
注意事项
- Notes-
一、来华入境后,需要尽快办理住宿登记
(一)若入住酒店,可由酒店办理。
持有效护照或其他国际旅行证件在酒店前台办理。
(二)若入住其他地方,须在24小时内向居住地派出所报。
携带有效护照或其他国际旅行证件、租房合同或房产证到居住地派出所办理。
I. Residence registration needs to be completed
after entry into China as soon as possible
(I) For foreigners staying in a hotel, residence registration can be
handled by the hotel.
Foreigners can register residence by presenting a valid passport or other
international travel documents at the hotel reception.
(II) Foreigners, who stay elsewhere, need to register residence at the
local police station within 24 hours after arrival.
Foreigners can register your residence at the local police station by presenting
a valid passport or other international travel documents, along with the rental
contract or immovable property rights certificate.
II. Matters requiring special attention when
foreigners work and live in China
(I) Validity period of visa.
Foreigners, who enter China with a visa and plan to work and live in China, need
to apply for a residence permit within 30 days from the date of entry according
to relevant requirements. If an extension of the duration of stay specified in
the visa is required, the application should be submitted to the exit and entry
administration authority of the public security organ of the local people's
government at or above the county level in the place of residence, at least 7
days before the expiration of the duration of stay specified in the visa, with
the relevant materials relating to the purpose of the application.
(II) Validity period of residence permit.
Foreigners, who need to stay in China after the expiration of residence permits,
shall apply for an extension 30 days before the expiration. Foreigners, who hold
a valid residence permit and have changed passport or had other items on the
residence permit changed, shall apply to the exit and entry administration
authority of the public security organ for information change within 10 days
from the date the changes occur.
(III) Validity period of work permit.
1.Foreigners working within China should obtain a work permit. Those who work in
China for no more than 90 days shall apply for a Z visa from the Chinese embassy
(consulate) with the Notification Letter for Foreigner's Work Permit, and work
in China within the time indicated on the visa. Those who work in China more
than 90 days shall apply for a Z visa from the Chinese embassy (consulate) with
the Notification Letter for Foreigner's Work Permit, and apply to the
administration department of foreigners working in China where the employer is
located for a Foreigner's Work Permit within 30 days from the date of entry, and
work in China within the validity period of the work permit.
2.An application for extension shall be submitted to the administration
department of foreigners working in China where the employer is located 30 days
before the expiration of the Foreigner's Work Permit.
3.In case of any change in personal information (name, passport number, and
position), an application for change shall be submitted to the administration
department of foreigners working in China where the employer is located within
10 working days from the date the changes occur.
(IV) Others.
1.Foreigners must abide by the laws and regulations of China when writing
comments on social media in China.
2.Foreigners must comply with relevant regulations when keeping dogs, cats, and
other pets.
3.Foreigners are not allowed to photograph military installations, including
buildings, sites, and facilities directly used by China for military purposes.
三、在华工作生活快速获取帮助事项
人身或财产收到侵害时,请拨打110。
发现火灾时,请拨打119。
需要急救时,请拨打120。
护照遗失时,请立即向遗失地派出所报失。
III. How to get help in case of emergencies
In case of personal assault or property crimes, please call 110.
In case of fire, please call 119.
In case of first aid, please call 120.
In case of passport loss, please report it to the local police station
immediately.
(I) Foreigners can bring your passports or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards
to the service offices of telecom operators such as China Telecom, China Mobile,
China Unicom, and China Broadnet, to apply for a SIM card and activate mobile
communication services in China.
(II) The mobile communication service plans usually include call time and data.
Different operators will provide different service plans according to customers'
needs, and users can choose the appropriate one.
Note: The plans often offer a limited amount of data. You can disable internet
access when not using internet services if the data offered is little. Or, you
are suggested to consult the telecom operator for an appropriate data plan if
you need to use a large amount of data.
(I) Foreigners can bring your passports or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards,
and mobile phone numbers in China to the business offices of commercial banks to
apply for a bank card (please consult the customer manager of the business
office for specific requirements).
(II) Foreigners shall fill in the account opening application form before
applying for a bank card.
(III) After receiving the bank card, foreigners shall verify or modify the
password on the ATM in time. It is recommended to download the mobile banking
APP of the corresponding bank when applying for a bank card.
(IV) Foreigners shall keep the bank cards secure, to avoid loss or unauthorized
use by others or criminals. In case of card loss, please report it to the
corresponding bank in time.
(四)使用AlipayHK、Wechatpay HK(中国香港特别行政区)、mPay(中国澳门特别行政区)、Kakao Pay(韩国)、Touch’n Go
eWallet(马来西亚)、HiPay(蒙古国)、Changi Pay(新加坡)、华侨银行(新加坡)、Naver Pay(韩国)、Toss Pay(韩国)、TrueMoney(泰国)的电子钱包用户,可使用上述钱包在中国内地直接扫码支付。
III. Mobile payment
(I) Foreigners can download and install WeChat or Alipay APPs and follow the
instructions to input foreign or Chinese mobile phone numbers for account
registration.
(II) Foreigners can bind the APP with international bank cards with the
Mastercard, Visa, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover logos or Chinese bank cards
with the logo of UnionPay.
(III) Foreigners can scan the collection QR code or show the payment QR code
when making payments.
Notes for binding international bank cards:
1. When binding an international bank card to Alipay or WeChat, it is necessary
to obtain authorization from the foreign issuing bank. However, some issuing
banks may reject the binding request due to their system's inability to
recognize the connection information. In such cases, it is advisable to contact
the issuing bank's customer service center or consider using a Chinese bank card
instead.
2. When using Alipay or WeChat for QR code payments through the bound
international bank card, users are not required to pay an additional servicefee
if the transaction amount does not exceed RMB200; or, users need to pay a
service fee at 3% of the transaction amount if the amount exceeds RMB200.
3. Alipay and WeChat have set transaction limits for bound international bank
cards, with an annual limit of USD50,000 and a single transaction limit of
USD5,000. It is recommended that users who have bound international bank cards
to the APPs consider your specific use cases before using mobile payment.
(IV) Users of AlipayHK, Wechatpay HK (HKSAR), mPay (Macao SAR), Kakao Pay
(Republic of Korea), Touch'n Go eWallet (Malaysia), HiPay (Mongolia), Changi Pay
(Singapore), OCBC (Singapore), Naver Pay (Republic of Korea), Toss Pay (Republic
of Korea), and TrueMoney (Thailand) can make QR code payments through these
e-wallets in the Chinese mainland.
(I) Overseas visitors to China can exchange foreign currencies for RMB cash in
advance in relevant countries or regions before bringing it into China (each
visitor is allowed to take up to RMB20,000 in cash in or out of the country).
(II) Overseas visitors to China can exchange foreign currencies for RMB cash at
commercial bank branches, money changers, and self-service currency exchange
machines at international airports, land ports, ports, and other entry ports, or
withdraw RMB cash using international bank cards at ATMs.
1. Using identification documents. Foreign travelers can use the following valid
identification documents when purchasing tickets or paying for the extended trip
at the railway station's ticket office and ticket agents, or on trains:
(1) Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card;
(2) Passport;
(3) Foreigner's exit-entry permit;
(4) Seafarer's Certificate;
(5) Receipt of acceptance of a visa application issued by the exit and entry
administration authority of the public security organs of China;
(6) Passport loss report certificate;
(7) Temporary international travel document issued by embassies and consulates
in China (with valid visas or stay certificates issued by the exit and entry
administration authority of the public security organs of China attached).
Foreign travelers can use your Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards and passports
to purchase tickets through the 12306 website, 12306 APP, or booking hotline.
Foreign travelers can also use your Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards to
purchase tickets at the self-service machines.
2.Identity verification. To ensure safe and orderly passenger transport, China's
railway operator implements real-name ticketing according to relevant
regulations. Foreign travelers must complete identity verification before
purchasing tickets.
(1) You can log in to the 12306 website or APP to fill in your name,
nationality, ID number, and other information following the instructions. The
system will automatically complete identity verification. Or, you can upload a
photo of the passport information page for manual verification.
(2) You can also take valid passports to the ticket office at the railway
station for identity verification.
3.Ticket purchase. After the identity verification, foreign travelers can
purchase tickets.
(1) You can purchase tickets online through the 12306 website or APP and pay
with Alipay, WeChat, or UnionPay bank cards.
(2) You can also purchase tickets at the ticket office at the railway station
and pay in cash or by Alipay, WeChat, or UnionPay bank cards. Some railway
stations also have self-service machines for ticket purchase.
■ Ticket change
Foreign travelers can change your tickets at the 12306 website and APP, or the
ticket office at the railway station.
■ Ticket refund
Foreign travelers can cancel your tickets at the 12306 website and APP, or the
ticket office at the railway station. Service fees may be incurred depending on
the time of cancellation.
■ Railway station entry/exit and train boarding
Foreign travelers can enter and exit the railway station through automatic or
manual ticket check gates with the original valid identification documents used
when buying tickets, and cooperate to complete ticket verification on the way.
For details of relevant rules, please visit the 12306 website or APP, or call
China Railway customer service hotline (12306) for consultation.
12306 website address: https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html
(II) Airplane.
Foreign travelers can book tickets online on the airline's official APP and
WeChat mini program, or other ticketing platforms.
■ Ticket purchase
(1)You can buy tickets on the airline's official APP and WeChat mini program and
pay with Alipay, WeChat, or UnionPay bank cards.
(2)You can also buy tickets at the airport and pay in cash or by WeChat, Alipay,
or bank cards following the regulations of the airline.
■ Ticket change and refund
Foreign travelers can change or refund your tickets through the ticketing
platform or at the airport. Fees may be incurred, which is subject to the
regulations of the airline.
(III) Metro.
A total of 55 cities in China have metro lines. Foreign travelers can apply for
metro passes at the metro station or use the Alipay APP to take the metro.
1. Foreign travelers can buy single-journey tickets at the ticket office or
self-service machines at the metro station. Frequent travelers can apply for
metro passes at the ticket office with your passports. You can make payments in
cash or by WeChat or Alipay.
2. Foreign travelers can open the Alipay APP on your mobile phones, click on
"Transport", and select "City". After completing identity verification, you will
obtain a QR code for the metro pass. You can enter and exit the metro station by
having the QR code scanned.
(IV) Bus.
Foreign travelers can pay in cash or by bus cards or the Alipay APP to take the
bus.
1. Foreign travelers can pay in cash (RMB) to take buses. Buses usually do not
provide change, so travelers need to prepare small change in advance.
2. Foreign travelers can take your passports to the service outlets of the bus
companies to buy bus cards. Payment for the cards can be made in cash or by
WeChat or Alipay.
3. Foreign travelers need to open the Alipay APP, click on "Transport", and
select "City". After completing identity verification, you will obtain a QR code
for public travel. You need to have the QR code scanned when getting on and off
the bus.
(V) Online ride-hailing services.
Foreign travelers can use Alipay or WeChat to book online ride-hailing services.
1. Foreign travelers can open the Alipay APP, click on "Transport", select
"Taxi", and enter both the pickup location and the destination to book a
ride-hailing service.
2. Foreign travelers can open the WeChat APP, click on "Me ", select "Services",
scroll down and click on "Mobility" or "Ride Hailing", and enter both the pickup
location and the destination to book a ride-hailing service.
3. Download Didi-Greater China APP, which supports foreigners to use foreign
mobile phone numbers and international credit cards to register, and book online
ride-hailing services once registered. Open Didi-Greater China APP, confirm the
pickup location and the destination, select the preferred services(Express,
Taxi, Premier, Luxe), and book a ride-hailing service.
(VI) Car leasing services.
Foreign travelers can rent cars at international airports and downtown service
outlets. You can also use car leasing APPs or search for "mini programs for car
leasing" on Alipay or WeChat. Once registered , you can make a reservation for
car leasing.
1. Foreign travelers who are going to rent cars need to bring your passports or
Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards, valid Chinese driver's licenses, and
international or domestic credit cards.
Note: Foreign travelers renting a car for the first time need to have your
identity document information verified at least one working day in advance.
2. Foreign travelers applying for Chinese driver's licenses must take your
passports, overseas driver's licenses with a Chinese translation, recent
one-inch half-length, bareheaded, full-faced color photos against white
background, and other necessary documents to public security traffic management
service halls to apply for Provisional Driving Permits for compact cars.
Foreigners who enter China for a short-term stay can apply for Provisional
Driving Permits with a validity period of 3 months. For those who intend to stay
longer than 3 months, the validity period can be extended to a maximum of one
year. The permits can be used whenever the holders reenter China during the
validity period without the need for reapplication.
Note: China has signed agreements for mutual recognition and exchange of
driver's licenses with France, Serbia, Belgium, and the United Arab Emirates.
This allows individuals holding driver's licenses from the aforementioned
countries to drive in China or obtain Chinese driver's licenses without taking a
test.
Foreign travelers can make hotel reservations online through the Trip.com APP or
via telephone or other means.
(I) Foreign travelers who are going to stay in hotels are required to present
your passports, Foreign Permanent Residen ID Cards, and other valid
identification documents for registration at the hotel reception.
(II) The available payment methods at the hotel include cash (RMB), bank card,
Alipay, and WeChat. If foreign travelers wish to pay with bank cards, you need
to inquire in advance if Mastercard, Visa, or other international bank cards are
accepted. Some hotels accept such payment methods as Apple Pay and PayPal;
foreign travelers need to inquire in advance before making a payment.
在华停居留服务
- Services for Stay and Residence in China-
For foreigners entering China with a visa, if the original reason for entry has
not yet been terminated or if for other legitimate reasons that require you to
stay beyond the expiration date specified in the visa without the need to change
the type of visa, you may apply for extending the visa. Documents required for
visa extension are as follows:
(I) Valid passports or other international travel documents;
(II) A completed Foreigner Visa Application Form, and a 33×48mm bareheaded color
ID photo taken recently against a white background (free on-site photography is
available);
(III) Supporting documents concerning the reason for the visa extension
application;
(IV) Supporting documents concerning other relevant procedures.
For the application documents required for visa extension, processing procedures
and methods, fee basis and standards, etc, you can visit the official website of
China's National Immigration Administration and refer to the Guide on Visa
Extension, Change and Reissuance for Foreigners under "Services", the
requirements for the photos for travel documents can be found in the Guidelines
for Travel Documents Photographs in the "Services" section. Additionally, you
can find the office address and contact information of local exit-entry
reception halls in "Office Enquiries" under "Services". You can also dial 12367
for further information.
Foreigners who, after entering China, need to reside within the territory of the
country due to reasons other than diplomatic or official matters shall apply for
a residence permit and its extension, change or re-issuance in person at the
exit and entry administration authority of China's public security organs to
complete relevant formalities. For a foreigner who is a high-level talent or
urgently-needed professional, or is under 16 years old or over 60 years old, or
with disabilities due to illness or other reasons, the inviting
entity/individual, families or relatives of the applicant or a specialized
service agency may file the application on behalf of the applicant. Documents
required for residence permit application are as follows:
(I) Valid passports or other international travel documents;
(II) A completed Foreigner Visa Application Form, and a 33×48mm bareheaded color
ID photo taken recently against a white background (free on-site photography is
available);
(III) Supporting documents concerning the reason for the residence permit
application;
(IV) Supporting documents concerning other relevant procedures.
For the application materials and requirements, the basic process and method of
handling, the time limit and other specific details about residence permit
application, foreigners can visit the official website of China's National
Immigration Administration and refer to the Service Guide on Issuance of
Residence Permit for Foreigners under "Services", the requirements for the
photos for travel documents can be found in the Guidelines for Travel Documents
Photographs in the "Services" section. Additionally, you can find the office
address and contact information of local exit-entry reception halls in "Office
Enquiries" under "Services". You can also dial 12367 for further information.
Documents required for foreigners to apply for work permit are as follows:
(I) A completed Application Form for Foreigner's Work Permit;
(II) Supporting documents concerning work qualifications;
(III) Certificates of the highest academic degree (diploma) or relevant approved
documents and professional qualification certificates authenticated by apostille
(from member countries of the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of
Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents), or by Chinese embassies or
consulates abroad;
(IV) Certificates of no criminal record;
(V) Physical health examination certificates;
(VI) Job contracts or certificates of employment (including letters of dispatch
from multinational companies);
(VII) The applicants' valid passports or other valid international travel
documents;
(VIII) The applicants' bareheaded, full-faced photos taken within 6 months;
(IX) Relevant supporting documents of the accompanying family members;
(X) Other relevant materials as may be required.
The method and place of handling: online applications submitted by the
employers; local service centers for foreigners working in China.
Foreigners who work in China shall access social security in accordance with the
relevant provisions of the Social Insurance Law of the People's Republic of
China and the Interim Measures for Social Insurance System Coverage of
Foreigners Working within the Territory of China.
Eligible individuals
(I) Individuals who are legally employed in China and have legally obtained the
Foreigner's Work Permits, residence permits for foreigners, and Foreign
Permanent Resident ID Cards.
(II) Individuals who have signed labor contracts with domestic employers in
China and are paid by the employers, or those who have signed contracts with
foreign companies and are dispatched to work in China, with your salaries paid
by the domestic employers.
(III) Individuals in the employment age (males aged 60 or below; females aged 55
or below).
Insurance payment
(I) If individuals who work within the territory of China just accessed social
security, you shall pay the premiums from the month when you start to work in
China;
(II) The insurance base pay and the share borne by employers for foreign
employees shall be the same as that of Chinese employees according to local
standards.
Mutual exemption provisions
According to the website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security
of the People's Republic of China, China has signed social security agreements
with many countrie sincluding Germany, Republic of Korea, Denmark, Canada,
Finland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Japan, Serbia, and
Luxembourg. Individuals who hold the nationality of a country that has concluded
a social security agreement with China may be exempt from the obligation to pay
insurance premiums for specified periods as stipulated in the agreement.
Places for handling social insurance: Government service halls or the service
halls of bureaus of human resources and social security in the locality where
the applicants work.
Website address of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security: http://www.mohrss.gov.cn
An individual who is domiciled in China, or an individual who is not domiciled
in China but has resided in China for an aggregate of 183 days or more within a
tax year, shall be regarded as a resident individual. Income received by a
resident individual from within China or overseas shall be subject to individual
income tax pursuant to the provisions of the Individual Income Tax Law of the
People's Republic of China.
An individual who is not domiciled in China and does not reside in China, or an
individual who is not domiciled in China but has resided in China for less than
an aggregate of 183 days within a tax year, shall be regarded as a non-resident
individual. Income received by a non-resident individual from within China shall
be subject to individual income tax pursuant to the provisions of the Individual
Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China.
Annuareconcilation for comprehensive income
Foreign nationals, who are tax residents of China and obtain comprehensive
incomes from salary and wages, remuneration for personal services, author’s
remuneration and royalties in a tax year, shall fill in the Annual Individual
Income Tax Return for Self-Filing and associated forms within the period from
March 1 to June 30 of the following year, and do the annual tax reconciliation
with the tax authority. Foreign nationals who meet one of the following
conditions shall be exempted from the annual reconciliation of individual income
tax:
(I) The conditions specified in the tax policy for exemption from the annual
reconciliation are met;
(II) The amount of tax withheld matches with the amount of the tax payable;
(III) The conditions for refunding are met, but the claim of tax refunds is
waived.
If foreign nationals are unsure whether the annual reconciliation needs to be
done, they can seek guidance regarding relevant policies and assistance from the
taxpayer service halls of local tax authorities.
Settlement channels: Local government service halls or tax authorities' taxpayer
service halls, Individual Income Tax APP, and the Natural Person E-Tax Platform.
Foreign nationals need to visit the local taxpayer service halls to apply for a
registration code before the first-time use of the Individual Income Tax APP or
the Natural Person E-Tax Platform. Taxpayers can seek assistance from taxpayer
service halls.
Foreign nationals who are nonresident individuals are not required to deal with
the annual reconciliation.
Enjoying preferential treatment under tax treaties
China has signed agreements on avoidance of double taxation with 114
countries(regions). Foreign nationals who are eligible for tax reductions or
exemptions may judge by themselves the conditions for enjoying such treatment.
They can choose to enjoy the treatment upon self-filing or through withholding
agents, and relevant documentation shall be retained for future inquiries. For
details of the agreements, please refer to the tax treaty section on the website
of the State Administration of Taxation.