(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 public security organs of local people's  governments 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 passports or had other items on the residence permit changed shall apply to the exit and entry administration authority of public security organs for information update 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 intend to 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 intend to work in China for more than 90 days shall apply for a Z visa from the Chinese embassy (consulate) with the Notification Letter for Foreigner's Work Permit, apply for a residence permit for work in accordance with relevant regulations after entry, and work in China within the validity period of the work permit.

2. The employer shall submit an application for an extension to the local administration department of foreigners working in China 30 days before the expiration of the work permit.

3. In case of any change in personal information (name, passport number, and position), an application for changes shall be submitted to the administration department of foreigners working in China in the place where the employer is located within 10 working days from the date the changes occur.

(IV) Scope of unilateral visa-free countries.

From November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025, visa exemption will be applied to ordinary passport holders from Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, Latvia and Japan on a trial basis. In addition, China has decided to further optimize its visa-free policy by including exchange visit as a purpose eligible for visa-free entry, extending the period of visa free stays from the current 15 days to 30 days. Starting from November 30, 2024, ordinary passport holders from the 38 countries within this visa-free arrangement, including the aforementioned newly added nine countries, can enter China without applying for a visa for the purposes of business, tourism, family visits, exchange visits and transit, with stays of no more than 30 days.

(V) Others

1. Foreigners shall go through residence registration in accordance with the provisions of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China. The exit-entry administration of the public security department may, when accepting a foreigner's visa application, require the applicant to provide proof of residence registration in China.

2. Foreigners must abide by the laws and regulations of China when writing comments on social media in China.

3. Foreigners must comply with relevant regulations when keeping dogs, cats, and other pets.

4. Foreigners must not photograph military installations, including buildings, sites, and facilities directly used by China for military purposes.