About China
Whether you’re looking to visit, live or work in China—we can support your immigration needs at every stage of your journey.
If you’re a foreign national looking to visit, live and/or work in China, several options are available.
- Business Visits: As a business visitor, you'll generally need to secure an "M" visa from a Chinese consular post before your travel. It can be granted up to one year with multiple entries but it is generally granted for three, six, or twelve months.
- Short-Term Work Authorization: If you intend to work in China for up to 90 days and conduct activities like technical or scientific research, managing projects, or providing guidance for a cooperating party in China, you can generally use the short-term work permit. To obtain the permit, you'll need to first secure a “Z” visa or "R" visa to enter China, so you can then apply for work authorization in China.
- Long-term work authorization: To conduct long-term work in China, you'll need to qualify under certain criteria including a points-based system that categorizes eligibility based on your educational qualifications, position, salary, and work experience. If you qualify, you'll receive a Work Permit and a work-type Residence Permit. If you have dependents, they can accompany you to China by securing an “S” visa.
- Internships/Traineeships: There is no trainee-specific work authorization category in China.
- Self-employment: If you're an investor or entrepreneur, you may be eligible for work authorization programs in certain locations such as Beijing and Shanghai. Potential investors or entrepreneurs can apply for a residence permit and a work permit for work authorization.
Fragomen can also consult on citizenship matters and, as permitted within the confines of local law, may be able to offer citizenship assistance.
Fragomen in China is Fragomen (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., operating exclusively as an immigration consultancy and not as a law firm in China.
