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Visa-Free Transit / 过境免签

Fast-Track Entry for Foreign Business Visitors: China Port Visas and the APEC Business Travel Card

  • A port visa (口岸签证) lets a foreign business visitor obtain an M visa on arrival at a designated Chinese port, when invited by a verified local entity.
    口岸签证允许受邀的外籍商务人士在指定对外开放口岸落地办理M字签证。
  • The APEC Business Travel Card gives five-year, multi-entry access to 16 economies, with express clearance at dedicated lanes.
    APEC商务旅行卡提供五年多次、可入境16个经济体的待遇，并享专用通道快速通关。
  • A Chinese-venture’s mainland staff can hold the APEC card; foreign nationals apply to their own economy, not to China.
    中外合资、外商独资企业的中方人员可申办APEC卡；外籍人士向其所属经济体申请，不向中国申请。
  • Since April 2025, some cities run a special-invitation facility for frequent foreign business visitors, covering spouses and children.
    自2025年4月起，部分城市对外籍商务常客试行专项签证便利邀请函，惠及配偶与子女。
  • Port visas and the APEC card sit alongside the 240-hour transit and unilateral visa-free schemes as fast-track entry tools.
    口岸签证与APEC卡，与240小时过境免签、单方面免签共同构成快速入境工具箱。
  • Plan the document stack early: invitation letter, port-of-entry approval and, for the card, the foreign-affairs office filing.
    及早准备文件链：邀请函、入境口岸批准备案，持卡则经外事办公室申报。

Fast-Track Entry for Foreign Business Visitors: China Port Visas and the APEC Business Travel Card | 外籍商务人士快速入境：中国口岸签证与APEC商务旅行卡

The Fast-Track Toolkit

When a foreign business visitor needs to reach China quickly—for a signing, a board meeting, a factory audit or a tender—three fast-track tools sit alongside the familiar 240-hour transit and unilateral visa-free schemes: the port visa (口岸签证), the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), and the newer special-invitation facility for frequent business visitors. Each serves a different profile; together they shrink the time from “we need you in Shanghai” to “you are through immigration”.

Port Visas: a Visa on Arrival for Business

A port visa is issued by the exit-entry administration at a designated open port to a foreign national who holds an invitation from a verified Chinese entity and meets the statutory grounds—sudden commercial activity, tender participation, or other urgent, justified business need. The inviting entity applies in advance to the public-security exit-entry authority at the intended port of entry; once approved, the visitor obtains an M (business) visa on arrival without first visiting a Chinese embassy. Port visas are the right tool when lead time is too short for a consular application but the visit is genuine and documentable. They are not a substitute for long-stay work or residence permits.

The APEC Business Travel Card

The APEC Business Travel Card is a multilateral visa-facilitation arrangement among the 21 APEC economies. A Chinese cardholder receives five-year validity, multiple entry, and stays of at least 60 days per visit (60 or 90 days depending on the economy), plus express clearance at dedicated APEC lanes. China joined in 2002; mainland cardholders may enter 16 economies (the United States and Canada are transit members that do not approve external cardholders but offer expedited visa and clearance conveniences). The card is for business travel only—not tourism, family visits or medical trips.

Who Can Hold the Card

Under the scheme, eligible Chinese applicants include government officials handling APEC affairs, central and local state-owned enterprise personnel, private-enterprise personnel, and personnel of Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures, wholly foreign-owned enterprises and Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan-invested enterprises. The application runs a three-tier review: the enterprise preliminarily reviews, the local foreign-affairs office reviews, and the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives final approval. A foreign national cannot apply for the card in China—they apply to their own economy’s authority. From 2023, a virtual card with equal legal effect is accepted for foreign nationals entering China.

The 2025 Special-Invitation Facility

Since April 2025, several cities have trialled a special visa-facilitation invitation letter for foreign business visitors with frequent, well-recorded travel to China. Invited visitors—often senior executives and technical staff of foreign-invested enterprises—obtain a single visa procedure that yields a five-year, multiple-entry visa with stays up to 180 days, and the benefit extends to spouses and minor children. In one city’s account, the facility sat alongside the 240-hour transit, the 30-day unilateral visa-free and the 30-day business visa as a fifth, longer-horizon option for trusted business travellers.

How the Tools Compare

ToolBest forValidity / stayWho applies
Port visaUrgent, short, documentable visitM visa on arrivalInvited visitor, via host entity
APEC cardRecurring Asia-Pacific travel5 years, multi-entry, 60–90 daysChinese-venture mainland staff
Special invitationFrequent trusted visitors5 years, up to 180 days, familyHost city foreign-affairs office
240-hour transitBack-to-back regional trips240 hours, no visaEligible transit nationalities
Unilateral visa-freeShort leisure/business stays30 days, no visaListed countries

Practical Steps for a Foreign-Invested Enterprise

  1. Keep an invitation template ready: entity details, visitor profile, purpose, itinerary and port of entry.
  2. For urgent arrivals, pre-file the port visa with the exit-entry authority at the chosen port; do not rely on walk-up issuance.
  3. Enrol frequent mainland travellers for the APEC card through the local foreign-affairs office; budget two to three months for multi-economy approval.
  4. Ask the host city about the special-invitation facility if you have recurring senior visitors.
  5. Track stay limits—port visas and transit are short; for work or residence, use the proper permit, not a business visa.
  6. Centralise the record—keep invitation letters, port approvals, card filings and entry stamps in one file so the next application is repeatable and auditable.

Related Reading

See our 240-hour visa-free transit guide (No. 79), regional visa-free schemes in 2026 (No. 173) and unilateral visa-free policy (No. 186).

外籍商务人士快速入境：中国口岸签证与APEC商务旅行卡

快速入境工具箱

当外籍商务人士需紧急来华——签约、董事会、工厂审核或投标——除熟知的240小时过境免签与单方面免签外，还有三件快速工具：口岸签证、APEC商务旅行卡与较新的外籍商务常客专项签证便利邀请函。三者适配不同人群，共同把”我们需要你到上海”到”你已过边检”的时间大幅压缩。

口岸签证：落地即办的商务签证

口岸签证由指定对外开放口岸的公安出入境管理机关，向持有经核实的中国境内单位邀请、且符合法定情形——临时商务活动、参与投标或其他紧急正当商务需求——的外国人签发。邀请单位事先向拟入境口岸的公安出入境机关申请；获批后，访客抵港即可办理M字（商务）签证，无需先赴中国使馆。当时间不足以走领事申请、但访问真实且有据可查时，口岸签证是最合适的工具。它不能替代长期的工作或居留许可。

APEC商务旅行卡

APEC商务旅行卡是21个APEC经济体间的多边签证便利化安排。中国持卡人享有五年有效、多次入境、每次停留至少60天（按经济体为60或90天），并在APEC专用通道快速通关。中国于2002年加入；内地持卡人可入境16个经济体（美国、加拿大为过渡成员，不审批外部持卡人，但提供签证与通关便利）。该卡仅用于商务旅行，不适用于旅游、探亲或就医。

谁能持卡

根据制度，符合条件的中国申请人包括：从事APEC事务的政府官员，中央及地方国有企业人员，民营企业人员，以及中外合资、外商独资和港澳台资企业的中方人员。申请实行三级审批：企业初审、地方外办复审、外交部领事司终审。外籍人士不能在中国申请该卡——须向其所属经济体主管部门申请。2023年起，具有同等效力的虚拟卡被接受用于外籍人士入境。

2025年专项签证便利邀请函

自2025年4月起，多个城市对外籍商务常客试行专项签证便利邀请函。受邀者多为外资企业的外籍高管与技术骨干，一次签证手续即可获得五年多次、单次最长180天、并惠及配偶与未成年子女的签证。据某市表述，该便利与240小时过境、30天单方面免签、30天商务签证并列，成为面向可信商务旅客的第五种、更长效选项。

工具对比

工具最适用有效期／停留由谁申请
口岸签证紧急、短期、有凭证的访问落地M签证受邀访客，经邀请单位
APEC卡频繁的亚太差旅5年、多次、60—90天外资企业中方人员
专项邀请频繁可信访客5年、最长180天、含家属属地外事办公室
240小时过境接连的区域行程240小时、免签符合条件过境国籍
单方面免签短期商务／休闲30天、免签清单内国家

外资企业的实操步骤

  1. 备好邀请函模板：单位信息、访客画像、目的、行程与入境口岸。
  2. 紧急抵达时，预先在选定口岸的出入境机关申报口岸签证；不要依赖现场即办。
  3. 为频繁出行的境内人员申办APEC卡，经属地外事办公室；预留二至三个月多经济体审批周期。
  4. 如有反复到访的高管，向属地城市咨询专项邀请便利。
  5. 盯住停留上限——口岸签证与过境均较短；工作或居留须用相应许可，而非商务签证。
  6. 集中归档——将邀请函、口岸批准备案、持卡申报与入境验讫章归入同一档案，使下一次申请可复用、可审计。

延伸阅读

可参阅本站240小时过境免签指南（编号79）、2026年区域性免签政策（编号173）与单方面免签政策（编号186）。

Sources

Visa-Free Transit / 过境免签

China’s Unilateral Visa-Free Policy: A Practical Guide for Foreign Business Travellers (2026)

  • China now grants unilateral visa-free entry to ordinary passport holders of 50 countries, valid nationwide for stays up to 30 days.
    中国目前对 50 个国家的普通护照持有人实施单方面免签，可在全国范围停留不超过 30 天。
  • The policy was extended on 3 November 2025 to 31 December 2026, and Sweden was added as the latest European entrant from 10 November 2025.
    该政策于 2025 年 11 月 3 日延期至 2026 年 12 月 31 日，并自 2025 年 11 月 10 日起将瑞典纳入免签范围。
  • No visa, no connecting ticket, and no pre-arranged invitation are required — but paid employment is strictly prohibited under the waiver.
    免签入境无需签证、无需联程客票、也无需预先邀请函，但严禁以该政策从事有偿工作。
  • The 30-day clock starts on the calendar day after entry, and overstayers must apply for a stay permit rather than a simple extension.
    30 天停留期自入境次日零时起算，超期者须申请停留证件而非简单续签。
  • Unilateral visa-free entry is nationwide and individual-based, unlike the 240-hour transit waiver (third-country onward ticket, limited ports) and regional entry waivers (Hainan, cruise, ASEAN groups).
    单方面免签面向个人、全国通行，与 240 小时过境免签（需赴第三国联程票、限定口岸）及区域性入境免签（海南、邮轮、东盟旅游团）明显不同。
  • Foreign business travellers can use it for short trips — meetings, site visits, trade fairs, and partner exchanges — without a formal work visa, as long as they do not take up local employment.
    外籍商务人士可用它开展短期差旅——会议、实地考察、参展、伙伴交流——无需正式工作签证，前提是不在当地受雇务工。

China’s Unilateral Visa-Free Policy: A Practical Guide for Foreign Business Travellers (2026) | 中国单方面免签政策：外籍商务差旅实操指引（2026）

Overview

Since late 2023, China has rolled out one of the most significant liberalisations of its short-stay entry regime in decades: a unilateral visa waiver under which ordinary passport holders of a growing list of countries may enter China without a visa for business, tourism, family visits, exchange, or transit, for stays of no more than 30 days. Unlike reciprocal treaties, this waiver is granted by China alone.

By March 2026, Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed unilateral visa-free arrangements for 50 countries and full mutual visa-free agreements with 29 countries, with visa-free entries at 73% of all foreign arrivals. This article focuses on the unilateral stream — its country coverage, the 2024–2026 expansion rhythm, and the practical entry rules.

The waiver is deliberately simple. It removes the single biggest friction point for short visits — obtaining a Chinese visa in advance — and applies nationwide, not just to specific provinces or ports. For foreign-invested enterprises, chambers of commerce, and individual professionals, it has become the default channel for short business trips.

Which countries are covered

The 50-country list is the result of incremental additions between November 2023 and February 2026, grouped by region below (per the February 2026 consular FAQ and the November 2025 extension notice).

RegionCountries (ordinary passport holders)
Europe (32)France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia
Asia (7)Brunei, Republic of Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain
Oceania (2)Australia, New Zealand
Americas (5)Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay
Added later (4)Russia (Sep 2025), Sweden (Nov 2025), Canada (Feb 2026), United Kingdom (Feb 2026)

Validity notes for trip planning:

  • Brunei — open-ended, no expiry set.
  • Russia — per the February 2026 FAQ, currently runs to 31 December 2027.
  • The other 48 countries — extended to 24:00 on 31 December 2026.
  • Sweden — from 10 November 2025 to 31 December 2026.
  • Canada and the United Kingdom — from 17 February 2026 to 31 December 2026.

Because the list has shifted several times, re-confirm against the latest consular notice before booking.

The 2024–2026 expansion and extension timeline

The policy expanded in waves, each later bundled into a single extension. Key milestones:

  • Dec 2023 – Nov 2024: Pilot waiver for France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia (15-day stay).
  • Mid-2024: Australia and New Zealand added, then a bloc of Central and Eastern European states and the Republic of Korea.
  • Late 2024: Japan and South American states Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay added.
  • 9 June 2025: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain added (initially a one-year trial).
  • 15 September 2025: Russia added.
  • 3 November 2025: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the extension of the 45-country waiver to 31 December 2026 and added Sweden (effective 10 November 2025).
  • 17 February 2026: Canada and the United Kingdom added, also to 31 December 2026.

Frequent, often annual, extensions plus steady additions define the unilateral stream. Policymakers have signalled intent to keep optimising it, so further extensions beyond 2026 are widely expected.

Practical entry rules

The waiver is governed by the consular FAQ and border-inspection practice. The essentials:

  1. No visa required. Eligible nationals present a valid ordinary passport at an open port.
  2. No connecting ticket required. Unlike the transit waiver, no onward ticket to a third country is needed; entry and exit may be from any country or region.
  3. Purpose of stay. Business, tourism, family/friend visits, exchange, and transit are covered, as are study tours, conferences, exhibitions, and sports competitions under 30 days.
  4. No employment. The waiver does not apply to work, study, journalism, or similar purposes. Paid local employment is prohibited; use a proper work or Z-visa pathway.
  5. Passport validity. An ordinary passport valid for at least the intended stay is needed. Travel, temporary, or emergency documents are not accepted.
  6. Any mode and any port. Entry by air, sea, or road through any open port is allowed (private vehicles need ordinary transport-entry formalities).
  7. Stay calculation. The 30 days run from the calendar day after entry (自入境次日起算).
  8. Overstay handling. For proper reasons beyond 30 days, apply for a stay permit (停留证件); a simple visa-free “extension” does not exist.
  9. Supporting documents. Border inspection may verify purpose; carry an invitation letter, bookings, or similar proof. Minors follow the same rules.

For business travellers, a routine market visit, supplier meeting, or trade-fair trip is frictionless within 30 days and without employment.

How it differs from transit and regional waivers

China operates three distinct short-stay entry channels:

  • Unilateral visa-free (this article): nationwide, individual-based, up to 30 days, no onward ticket, no visa. Covers the 50 named countries.
  • 240-hour transit waiver (covered in article 79): confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region, designated ports in 24 provinces, stay within defined areas up to 10 days. Open to ~55 countries.
  • Regional entry waivers (covered in article 173): geographically confined — 30-day Hainan entry for 59 countries, cruise groups through 13 ports, ASEAN groups in Yunnan and Guangxi. Group or area limits apply.

In short: the unilateral waiver is the most flexible for an individual business trip; the transit waiver is for genuine onward travel; the regional waivers are for destination-specific tourism.

What foreign businesses should do

For FDI-related travel, the unilateral waiver lowers the cost of doing business in China. Recommended steps:

  1. Map eligible nationalities. If your headquarters, suppliers, or clients are in the 50 countries, short trips need no visa lead time.
  2. Keep trips under 30 days and non-employment. Use the waiver for meetings, inspections, due diligence, and exhibitions; for assignments or on-site work, use a work or business (M) visa.
  3. Carry purpose evidence. A Chinese invitation letter (邀请函) and bookings smooth border inspection and later stay-permit applications.
  4. Plan around expiry dates. Waivers lapse on 31 December 2026 (Russia to 2027). Watch for the next extension round before year-end trips.
  5. Combine with the transit waiver. Travellers from non-listed countries (e.g., the United States) can still use the 240-hour transit waiver for genuine onward journeys.
  6. Brief relocating staff separately. The waiver is not a route to residency; long-term presence needs the standard work- and residence-permit process.

Related reading

  • 240-hour visa-free transit (article 79) — the onward-ticket, port-limited channel.
  • Regional entry waivers (article 173) — Hainan, cruise, and ASEAN group entry.
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular FAQ and mutual visa-free treaty list for the latest country updates.

中国单方面免签政策：外籍商务差旅实操指引（2026）/ China’s Unilateral Visa-Free Policy: A Practical Guide for Foreign Business Travellers (2026)

概述

自 2023 年底起，中国推出了数十年来力度最大的短期入境便利化举措之一——单方面免签政策：符合清单的国家，其普通护照持有人来华经商、旅游观光、探亲访友、交流访问、过境，停留不超过 30 天的，可免办签证入境。与对等（互免）签证协定不同，这一免签由中国单方给予，伙伴国无须对中国护照持有人给予同等待遇。对企业而言，这意味着总部外派、客户拜访、供应商审核等高频短差，不再被签证周期”卡脖子”，决策与成行之间的时滞大幅压缩。

截至 2026 年 3 月，外交部长王毅确认，中国已对 50 个国家实施单方面免签，并与 29 个国家实现全面互免签证，前一年免签入境的外籍人士占比高达 73%。在稳外资、扩开放的背景下，这条通道对外国投资者意义尤为直接：它把”想来就能来”的门槛降到最低。本文聚焦”单方面免签”这一条线——覆盖国家、2024–2026 年的扩容与延期节奏、入境实操规则，以及它与本站点另文介绍的 240 小时过境免签和区域性入境免签的区别。

单方面免签的设计刻意保持简单：它消除了短期访问最大的摩擦点——提前办理中国签证，而且适用全国，而不限于特定省份或口岸。对外商投资企业、商会以及个人专业人士而言，它已成为短期差旅的默认通道。与互免协定不同，这一便利由中国单方给予，伙伴国无须对中国护照持有人对等开放，因此扩容节奏完全由中国自主决定，这也解释了为何名单能在两年内迅速拉长。值得注意的是，单方面免签与互免协定并行不悖：前者针对 50 国、后者覆盖 29 国，二者共同构成中国”免签朋友圈”的双支柱，外籍人士来华短期停留的便利度因此大幅提升。

覆盖哪些国家

这 50 国名单是 2023 年 11 月至 2026 年 2 月逐步扩容的结果，呈现出”欧洲为主、亚太与美洲跟进、海湾与北美收尾”的清晰轨迹。下表按地区分组（依据 2026 年 2 月领事常见问题解答及 2025 年 11 月延期通知）：

地区国家（普通护照持有人）
欧洲（32 国）法国、德国、意大利、荷兰、西班牙、瑞士、爱尔兰、匈牙利、奥地利、比利时、卢森堡、波兰、葡萄牙、希腊、塞浦路斯、斯洛文尼亚、斯洛伐克、挪威、芬兰、丹麦、冰岛、安道尔、摩纳哥、列支敦士登、保加利亚、罗马尼亚、克罗地亚、黑山、北马其顿、马耳他、爱沙尼亚、拉脱维亚
亚洲（7 国）文莱、韩国、日本、沙特、阿曼、科威特、巴林
大洋洲（2 国）澳大利亚、新西兰
美洲（5 国）巴西、阿根廷、智利、秘鲁、乌拉圭
后续新增（4 国）俄罗斯（2025 年 9 月）、瑞典（2025 年 11 月）、加拿大（2026 年 2 月）、英国（2026 年 2 月）

出行规划需注意以下有效期要点：

  • 文莱——未设截止日期，免签长期有效，是清单中唯一无明确到期日的国家。
  • 俄罗斯——试行免签自 2025 年 9 月 15 日至 2026 年 9 月 14 日，但 2025 年 11 月的延期将一般截止日推至 2026 年 12 月 31 日；据 2026 年 2 月领事解答，俄罗斯安排目前施行至 2027 年 12 月 31 日，是有效期最长者。
  • 其余 48 国——免签均延期至 2026 年 12 月 31 日 24 时。
  • 瑞典——自 2025 年 11 月 10 日起覆盖至 2026 年 12 月 31 日，是欧洲名单中的最新成员。
  • 加拿大、英国——自 2026 年 2 月 17 日起覆盖至 2026 年 12 月 31 日，是北美两大经济体加入的标志性节点。

由于名单多次调整，旅行者应在订票前务必对照最新领事通知再次核实，因为各试用期和截止日会随每次延期而变动。建议把”以出发当日官方清单为准”作为内部差旅政策的硬性提醒。

2024–2026 年扩容与延期节奏

该政策并非一次性成型，而是分批扩容，每批随后又被统一延期。关键节点如下：

  • 2023 年 12 月 1 日 – 2024 年 11 月 30 日：对法国、德国、意大利、荷兰、西班牙、马来西亚试行免签（停留 15 天），迈开单方面开放的第一步。
  • 2024 年中：新增澳大利亚、新西兰；随后加入一批中东欧国家（如匈牙利、奥地利、比利时、瑞士、波兰、葡萄牙、希腊等）及韩国，欧洲”朋友圈”迅速铺开。
  • 2024 年底：新增日本，以及南美的巴西、阿根廷、智利、秘鲁、乌拉圭，并加入更多欧洲国家，名单首次突破四十国量级。
  • 2025 年 6 月 9 日：新增沙特、阿曼、科威特、巴林，海湾阿拉伯国家首次整批进入免签清单。
  • 2025 年 9 月 15 日：新增俄罗斯，地缘邻近的大体量客源市场被纳入。
  • 2025 年 11 月 3 日：外交部宣布将 45 国免签延期至 2026 年 12 月 31 日，并新增瑞典（自 2025 年 11 月 10 日起），把北欧主要经济体补齐。
  • 2026 年 2 月 17 日：新增加拿大、英国，传统英语国家两大经济体入场，名单最终达到 50 国。

这种”频繁、往往按年”的延期叠加持续扩员，是单方面免签最鲜明的特征。政策制定者已释放出继续优化的信号，外界普遍预期 2026 年之后还会进一步延期，企业可将其作为中期可依赖的常态通道来规划。

入境实操规则

免签政策由领事常见问题解答及边检实践规范，要点如下：

  1. 无需签证。 符合条件者只需在对外开放口岸出示有效普通护照即可，无需提前向使领馆送签、缴费、等待制证。
  2. 无需联程客票。 与过境免签不同，您不需要赴第三国的联程机票，可从任何国家或地区出入境，往返行程自由安排。
  3. 入境目的。 经商、旅游、探亲访友、交流、过境均涵盖；不超过 30 天的研学、参会、参展、体育竞赛同样适用，覆盖面较广。
  4. 不得就业。 免签不适用于工作、学习、新闻采访等目的。禁止在当地从事有偿工作，须走正规的工作签证（Z 字签证）路径；即便短期项目支持，也建议先确认是否落入”就业”范畴。
  5. 护照有效性。 须持有效期至少覆盖拟停留期的普通护照。旅行证、临时或紧急护照不能用于免签入境。
  6. 任何交通方式、任何口岸。 经航空、海路或陆路从任一对外开放口岸入境均可（私家车入境须按规办理交通工具入出境手续）。
  7. 停留期计算。 30 天自入境次日零时起算，满 30 个自然日；例如 1 日入境，停留期至当月 31 日届满。
  8. 超期处理。 因正当理由需超过 30 天的，应向公安出入境管理部门申请停留证件；不存在”免签直接续期”一说，勿心存侥幸逾期。
  9. 佐证材料。 边检可能核实入境目的。请携带与所申报目的相符的邀请函、机票/酒店预订等证明；未成年人与成年人规则一致。

对商务旅客而言，常规的市场走访、供应商会议、参展等差旅因此变得顺畅——只要停留不超过 30 天且不越界就业，几乎可以”说走就走”。

与过境免签、区域性免签的区别

中国有三条性质不同的短期入境通道，需厘清：

  • 单方面免签（本文）：全国通行、面向个人、最长 30 天、无需联程票、无需签证。覆盖前述 50 国，是三者中自由度最高的”个人通道”。
  • 240 小时过境免签（79 号文）：须持赴第三国/地区的确定联程客票，从 24 个省份指定口岸入境，在规定区域停留不超过 10 天。面向约 55 国，本质是”中转”便利。
  • 区域性入境免签（173 号文）：受地域限制——59 国入境海南 30 天、13 个邮轮口岸的旅游团入境、东盟旅游团赴云南（西双版纳）与广西（桂林）。多有限团或限区要求，属”目的地”便利。

简言之：单方面免签对个人商务差旅最灵活；过境免签适用于真实的中转行程；区域性免签适用于特定目的地旅游。三者各有适用面，企业可按行程性质择优选用。

需要特别提示的是，这三条通道并非互相排斥：同一位旅客完全可能在一次行程中组合使用。例如，一位不在 50 国清单内的美国商务人士，可先以 240 小时过境免签入境参会，若后续还需以个人身份旅游，则可另行规划。理解各自边界，才能把政策红利用足而不越线。

外籍商务人士应如何运用

就外资相关差旅而言，单方面免签显著降低了在华营商成本。建议做法：

  1. 梳理组织内符合资格国籍。 若总部、供应商或客户位于 50 国之中，短期行程无需签证办理周期，可把”免签国公民”标注在差旅系统中，减少行政摩擦。
  2. 行程控制在 30 天内且非就业。 用免签开展会议、考察、尽职调查、参展；若涉及派驻、培训或现场作业，请使用相应的工作签证或商务（M）签证，避免以免签”打擦边球”。
  3. 携带目的佐证。 中文邀请函及预订记录可顺畅边检，也便于后续申请停留证件；建议由境内实体统一出具邀请函模板。
  4. 关注有效期节点。 当前免签于 2026 年 12 月 31 日到期（俄罗斯至 2027 年）。年末出行前留意下一轮延期公告，必要时预留签证办理缓冲。
  5. 必要时与过境免签搭配。 非清单国家旅客（如不在单方面免签名单内的美国）仍可就真实中转行程使用 240 小时过境免签，二者互补而非互斥。
  6. 长期派驻另作安排。 免签不是居留或就业通道；长期停留须走标准的工作许可与居留许可流程，提前规划以避免身份真空。

相关阅读

  • 240 小时过境免签（79 号文）——需联程票、限口岸的通道，适合真实中转行程。
  • 区域性入境免签（173 号文）——海南、邮轮、东盟旅游团入境，适合目的地型旅游。
  • 外交部领事常见问题解答及互免签证协定一览表，获取最新国家更新与互免范围。

如需判断某位外籍员工适用哪条通道，可先按其国籍对照本文 50 国清单；不在清单内者，再评估是否满足 240 小时过境免签或区域性免签条件。三层通道叠加，已能覆盖绝大多数短期来华场景。

Sources

Visa-Free Transit / 过境免签

China’s Regional Visa-Free Entry Schemes in 2026: Hainan, Cruise Ports, ASEAN Tour Groups and the HK/Macao Route

  • Regional visa-free entry is a policy family of its own, separate from unilateral exemption and 240-hour transit, with four distinct doors.
    区域性入境免签自成一个政策族，独立于单方面免签与240小时过境免签，共有四条通道。
  • Nationals of 59 countries may enter Hainan visa-free for up to 30 days, the only regional door open to individual travellers.
    59国人员可免签入境海南，停留不超过30天，这是四条通道中唯一适用于个人旅客的通道。
  • Foreign tour groups of two or more may enter through 13 cruise ports and travel the coastal provinces plus Beijing for up to 15 days.
    2人及以上的外国旅游团可从13个邮轮口岸免签入境沿海省（自治区、直辖市）和北京市，停留不超过15天。
  • ASEAN tour groups may enter visa-free at Xishuangbanna in Yunnan and at Guilin in Guangxi, staying no more than six days.
    东盟国家旅游团可分别免签入境云南西双版纳和广西桂林，停留不超过6天。
  • Foreign tour groups formed by travel agencies in Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR may enter the nine mainland Greater Bay Area cities plus Shantou, or Hainan, for up to six days.
    经中国香港、中国澳门旅行社组团的外国旅游团，可免签进入大湾区内地9市及汕头，或免签入境海南，均可停留不超过6天。
  • Every regional scheme is geographically bounded, three of the four require an organised group, and none authorises employment.
    每条区域性通道都有地域限制，四条中有三条要求组团，且一律不得从事就业。
  • In the first half of 2026, 17.815 million foreign nationals entered visa-free, 77.7% of all foreign arrivals and up 30.6% year on year.
    2026年上半年免签入境1781.5万人次，占入境外国人的77.7%，同比上升30.6%。

China’s Regional Visa-Free Entry Schemes in 2026: Hainan, Cruise Ports, ASEAN Tour Groups and the HK/Macao Route | 2026年中国区域性入境免签政策全解：海南、邮轮口岸、东盟旅游团与港澳入境通道

Overview: Four Doors, Not One

Visitors speak of “China’s visa-free policy” as if it were one rule. Three families run in parallel in 2026. Unilateral and mutual exemption admit eligible passport holders nationwide. Transit visa-free, now 240 hours, serves travellers moving on to a third destination. Regional visa-free entry — the third family — waives the visa but confines the visitor to a defined part of China. Four such doors are open, each with its own eligibility, territory and clock.

ChannelWho qualifiesPermitted areaMax stayGroup
HainanNationals of 59 countriesHainan Province30 daysNo
Cruise portsForeign tour groups of 2 or moreCoastal provinces/regions/municipalities plus Beijing15 daysYes
ASEAN tour groupsTour groups from ASEAN countriesXishuangbanna, Yunnan; Guilin, Guangxi6 daysYes
Via Hong Kong SAR / Macao SARForeign tour groups formed by agencies there9 mainland Greater Bay Area cities plus Shantou; or Hainan6 daysYes

Hainan: 59-Country Visa-Free Entry

Hainan is the widest regional door: nationals of 59 countries may enter the island visa-free and stay up to 30 days. It is the only one of the four needing no organised tour, so an individual executive can use it. The constraint is territorial — the exemption admits the holder to Hainan, not the mainland. For Free Trade Port operations, thirty days covers inspections, licensing talks and handovers.

Cruise Ports: Visa-Free Entry for Tour Groups

Foreign tour groups of two or more may enter visa-free through 13 cruise ports and travel the coastal provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities plus Beijing for up to 15 days. By territory this is the most generous regional scheme. The trade-off is form: the group must be organised by a travel agency and enters and leaves with the ship, which suits delegations rather than independent business trips.

ASEAN Tour Groups into Xishuangbanna and Guilin

Tour groups from ASEAN countries may enter visa-free at Xishuangbanna in Yunnan and at Guilin in Guangxi, for no more than six days. This is the narrowest door in both geography and duration, built for border tourism rather than corporate travel, though cross-border logistics and agricultural-trade firms use it.

Foreign Tour Groups via Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR

Foreign tour groups formed by travel agencies in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR may enter the mainland visa-free in two directions: the nine mainland cities of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area plus Shantou, or Hainan. Both allow up to six days. For an executive already in Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR it is the fastest legal route onto the mainland manufacturing belt, provided the trip is booked through a licensed agency.

How the Regional Schemes Differ from Unilateral Visa Exemption

As of March 2026 China applies unilateral visa exemption to 50 countries and full mutual exemption with 29 countries. On 3 November 2025 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended the unilateral policy for more than 40 countries — France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain among them — to 31 December 2026, adding Sweden from 10 November 2025. Ordinary passport holders may enter for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges and transit for up to 30 days, nationwide and as individuals.

How They Differ from 240-Hour Transit Visa-Free

Transit visa-free is a third mechanism, applying to 55 countries. Since 17 December 2024 the permitted stay has been 240 hours rather than 144, and since 5 November 2025 eligible ports rose from 60 to 65 across 24 provincial-level administrative regions, adding Guangzhou, Zhuhai Hengqin, Zhongshan, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge and West Kowloon station on the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong High Speed Rail. The defining condition is onward movement to a third country or region; a return trip does not qualify.

Facilitation Measures: Entry Cards, Fingerprints, Fees

From 20 November 2025 foreign travellers may file the arrival card online before landing, on-site by electronic device, or on the traditional paper form. Ten international airports, in cities including Tianjin, Nanjing and Chongqing, joined the list of ports exempting foreign nationals in direct 24-hour transit from border-inspection formalities. The visa application form is sharply simplified; embassies and consulates have abolished appointments for walk-in service; fingerprints are waived for single- or double-entry short-term visas of up to 180 days; fees are cut 25% temporarily; and port-visa conditions are relaxed.

What the 2026 Numbers Show

In the first half of 2026, 22.914 million foreign nationals entered China, up 20.4% year on year; 17.815 million of them entered visa-free — 77.7% of foreign arrivals, up 30.6%. Total border crossings hit 369 million, a record. The top ten source markets were the Republic of Korea, Russia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, the United States, Japan, Mongolia and Australia. The 15th Five-Year Plan for expanding consumption commits to steadily widening the range of visa-free countries and improving the inbound consumption environment.

Choosing the Right Door: Practical Steps

  1. Check the territory first. Hainan entry permits activity in Hainan only; the ASEAN scheme covers Xishuangbanna or Guilin only. Movement beyond requires a separate visa.
  2. Confirm whether a group is mandatory. The cruise-port, ASEAN and Hong Kong SAR/Macao SAR schemes need a travel agency to form the group, which enters and leaves together; individuals cannot use them.
  3. For transit, secure the third-leg ticket. The 240-hour channel requires a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region; a round trip is ineligible.
  4. Never work on a visa-free entry. Inspections, negotiations and exhibitions are acceptable; any paid position requires a Z work visa and a residence permit.
  5. Count the days correctly. The stay begins at 00:00 on the day after entry; calculate departure strictly.
  6. Default to a proper visa when plans may shift. Cross-regional movement calls for an M (business) or F (exchange) visa.

Related Reading

Two companion articles cover the 240-hour transit policy in detail, including the full port list.

2026年中国区域性入境免签政策全解：海南、邮轮口岸、东盟旅游团与港澳入境通道

概览：四条通道，而非一条

访客常把”中国的免签政策”当作一条规则。2026年实有三个并行的政策族：单方面免签与互免签证面向符合条件的护照持有人，通行全国；过境免签（现为240小时）服务于前往第三目的地的旅客；第三类”外国人区域性入境免签”免除签证，但把访客限定在中国的特定区域内。四条区域通道各有适用对象、准许区域与停留期限。

通道适用对象可停留区域停留期限须否组团
海南免签59国人员海南省30天否
邮轮免签2人及以上外国旅游团沿海省、自治区、直辖市及北京市15天是
东盟旅游团免签东盟国家旅游团云南西双版纳；广西桂林6天是
经中国香港、中国澳门入境由当地旅行社组织的外国旅游团大湾区内地9市及汕头；或海南6天是

海南：59国免签入境

海南是口径最宽的一条：59国人员可免签入境海南，停留不超过30天。它是四条中唯一无需组团的通道，个人商务人士乘定期航班即可适用。其约束是地域性的：免签只准许进入海南，不含内地其他地区。对海南自由贸易港业务而言，30天足以完成考察、牌照沟通与交接。

邮轮口岸旅游团免签

2人及以上的外国旅游团，可从13个邮轮口岸免签入境沿海省（自治区、直辖市）和北京市，停留不超过15天。以覆盖区域衡量，这是最慷慨的一条通道。代价是形式要求：旅游团须由旅行社组织、随船进出，因而更适合代表团参访，而非独立成行的商务差旅。

东盟旅游团免签入境西双版纳与桂林

东盟国家旅游团可分别免签入境云南西双版纳和广西桂林，停留不超过6天。无论地域还是时长，这都是最窄的一条通道，其设计初衷是边境旅游而非公司商旅，但滇桂走廊的跨境物流与农贸企业亦有使用。

经中国香港、中国澳门入境的外国旅游团免签

由中国香港、中国澳门旅行社组织的外国旅游团，可沿两个方向免签进入内地：一是大湾区内地9市及汕头，二是海南，均可停留不超过6天。对已身处中国香港或中国澳门的外籍高管而言，这是进入内地制造带最快捷的合法路径，前提是经持牌旅行社组团成行。

与单方面免签的区别

截至2026年3月，中国对50个国家实施单方面免签，并同29个国家全面互免签证。2025年11月3日，外交部宣布对法国、德国、意大利、荷兰、西班牙等40多个国家的单方面免签政策延期至2026年12月31日，并自2025年11月10日起将瑞典纳入。持普通护照人员来华经商、旅游观光、探亲访友、交流访问、过境不超过30天可免签入境，覆盖全国且面向个人。

与240小时过境免签的区别

过境免签是第三套机制，适用55国。自2024年12月17日起停留时间由144小时延长为240小时；自2025年11月5日起适用口岸由60个增加至65个，覆盖24个省级行政区，新增口岸包括广州、珠海横琴、中山、港珠澳大桥以及广深港高铁西九龙站。其决定性条件是须前往第三国或地区，往返不适用。

便利化配套：入境卡、指纹与规费

自2025年11月20日起，外国旅客可在抵达前在线填报入境卡，也可在检查现场用电子设备填报或使用传统纸质入境卡。天津、南京、重庆等城市共10个国际机场新增列入外国人24小时直接过境免办边检手续的口岸名单。来华签证申请表填报内容大幅精简；中国驻外使领馆取消签证预约，实现”随到随办”；对所有申请一次或两次入境、停留180日内短期签证的申请人免采指纹；阶段性调减25%签证规费；放宽口岸签证申办条件。

2026年数据说明了什么

2026年上半年，入境外国人2291.4万人次，同比增长20.4%；其中免签入境1781.5万人次，占入境外国人的77.7%，同比上升30.6%。全国出入境3.69亿人次，创历史新高。入境外籍旅客排名前十的国家为韩国、俄罗斯、马来西亚、越南、泰国、新加坡、美国、日本、蒙古、澳大利亚。《扩大消费”十五五”规划》提出稳步扩大免签国家范围、优化入境消费环境。

选对通道：实操要点

  1. 先看地域。 海南免签只能在海南活动；东盟旅游团免签只限西双版纳或桂林，超出准许区域须另办签证。
  2. 确认是否必须组团。 邮轮、东盟及经中国香港与中国澳门入境的旅游团免签均要求旅行社组团、团进团出，个人不适用。
  3. 过境须备第三方客票。 240小时通道要求持有前往第三国或地区的确认联程客票，往返行程不符合条件。
  4. 免签入境不得就业。 短期考察、洽谈、参展可以；任何受薪岗位必须走Z字工作签证与居留许可。
  5. 准确计算天数。 免签停留期自入境次日零时起算，应严格推算离境日。
  6. 行程可能变更时首选正式签证。 需跨区域移动的，应申办M（商贸）或F（交流访问）签证。

延伸阅读

本系列另有两篇文章详解240小时过境免签政策，包括完整口岸清单。

Sources

Work Visa / 工作签证

China’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy: a practical guide for foreign business travelers

  • China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy lets eligible travellers from 55 countries transit through China to a third country/region without a visa, staying up to 240 hours (10 days) in designated areas.
    中国 240 小时（10 天）过境免签政策允许 55 个国家的合资格旅客在前往第三国/地区途中免签过境中国，并在规定区域停留最多 240 小时（10 天）。
  • The policy was comprehensively relaxed on 17 December 2024: stay was extended from 72/144 hours to 240 hours, ports grew from 39 to 60, eligible provinces from 19 to 24, and cross-provincial travel within the allowed regions became permitted.
    该政策于 2024 年 12 月 17 日全面放宽优化：停留时间由 72/144 小时延长至 240 小时，适用口岸由 39 个增至 60 个，适用省份由 19 个增至 24 个，并允许在适用区域内跨省域旅行。
  • Indonesia was added on 12 June 2025, bringing the eligible-country count to 55 (Europe 40, Americas 6, Oceania 2, Asia 7).
    印度尼西亚于 2025 年 6 月 12 日加入，适用国家增至 55 个（欧洲 40、美洲 6、大洋洲 2、亚洲 7）。
  • On 3 November 2025 NIA announced 10 innovation measures for opening-up: eligible foreigners may now apply at 65 ports, the entry card can be filled in online in advance, and seven categories (incl. green-card holders, group-visa travellers, cruise passengers) are exempt from filling it.
    国家移民管理局于 2025 年 11 月 3 日宣布 10 项扩大开放创新举措：合资格外籍人员可自 65 个口岸申请，入境卡可提前网上填报，七类人员（含绿卡持有人、团体签证、邮轮旅客等）免填报。
  • It is for transit, not work or study: permitted activities include tourism, business, visit and family reunion; work, study and news reporting still require prior approval/visas.
    该政策面向过境，而非工作或学习：允许从事旅游、商务、访问、探亲等活动；工作、学习、新闻采访等仍须事先办妥签证。
  • Eligibility essentials: a passport valid ≥3 months, a confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region within 240 hours, and entry via one of the designated open ports.
    核心资格：护照有效期不少于 3 个月、持有 240 小时内前往第三国/地区的已确定联程客票、自指定开放口岸入境。
  • Practical tips for foreign-invested enterprises: use it for short supplier visits, trade fairs and meetings; pair with the separate unilateral/reciprocal visa-free entry policies; never overstay or drift outside the allowed region.
    外商投资企业实操提示：可用于短期供应商拜访、展会与会议；可与单边/互免签证政策叠加；切勿逾期或超出规定区域活动。

China’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy: a practical guide for foreign business travelers | 中国 240 小时过境免签政策：外籍商务旅客实操指南

Overview

For the foreign-invested enterprise sending staff or partners to China for a few days of meetings, a trade fair, or a supplier visit, the visa-on-arrival paperwork used to be a recurring headache. China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy has become one of the simplest ways for eligible nationals to enter China briefly without a visa at all.

This article explains who qualifies, where and how to enter, what you may and may not do during the stay, the 2024–2025 relaxations, and practical do’s and don’ts for businesses. Sources are the National Immigration Administration (NIA) and the State Council portal.

What the policy is

The 240-hour visa-free transit policy allows nationals of designated countries, in transit to a third country or region, to enter China without a visa and stay within designated areas for up to 240 hours (10 days). The stay clock starts at 00:00 the day after entry.

Crucially, this is a transit facility, not a general visit visa. You must be genuinely travelling onwards to a third country/region (not back to your point of origin).

The 2024–2025 relaxations

The policy was comprehensively relaxed on 17 December 2024:

  • Longer stay: from 72/144 hours to a uniform 240 hours (10 days).
  • More ports: from 39 to 60 open ports across 24 provincial-level regions.
  • Wider area: eligible provinces/regions rose from 19 to 24; in several newly added regions (Anhui, Hainan, Guizhou) the whole province is open, while others (Shanxi, Jiangxi) open specific cities.
  • Cross-region travel: travellers may move across provincial boundaries within the allowed stay areas (e.g., Beijing–Shanghai–Guangdong itineraries are possible).

On 12 June 2025, Indonesia was added, bringing the eligible countries to 55. On 3 November 2025, NIA announced 10 innovation measures supporting opening-up, including raising applicable ports to 65 and allowing the temporary entry card to be filled in online in advance (with seven exempt categories).

Who is eligible (55 countries)

  • Europe (40): Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway.
  • Americas (6): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.
  • Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand.
  • Asia (7): Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia.

Conditions and documents

To use the policy you generally need:

  1. A passport or international travel document valid for at least three months and meeting the entry conditions of the onward destination.
  2. A confirmed onward ticket (connecting itinerary) to a third country/region within 240 hours, with fixed date and seat.
  3. Entry through one of the designated open ports; present the temporary entry card (now pre-fillable online) and undergo border inspection.

Seven categories are exempt from filling the entry card: holders of the PRC Foreign Permanent Resident ID, non-Chinese residents of Hong Kong/Macao with the relevant permits, group-visa or group visa-free entrants, 24-hour direct transit not leaving the port area, cruise passengers returning on the same vessel, express-lane entrants, and foreign crew of cross-border transport.

What you may — and may not — do

Permitted: tourism, business, visit, and family reunion activities during the stay.

Not permitted without prior approval: work, study, and news reporting/interviews — these still require the appropriate visa obtained in advance.

Beyond that, respect the geographic boundary (stay within the designated provinces/regions) and the time limit (leave or otherwise regularise status before 240 hours expire).

Practical tips for foreign-invested enterprises

  • Use it for short trips: supplier audits, trade fairs (e.g., Canton Fair, CIIE), board meetings, and partner visits where a full visa is overkill.
  • Plan the itinerary as genuine transit: your ticket must show onward travel to a third country/region.
  • Leverage port coverage: with 60–65 ports and 24 provinces, most major business hubs (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Chengdu, etc.) are covered.
  • Stack with other visa-free policies: China also operates unilateral and reciprocal full visa-free entry for several countries — check which applies to your traveller to maximise convenience.
  • Avoid overstay and boundary drift: set internal reminders; an overstay converts a convenience into an immigration violation.
  • For longer assignments, use the work-visa/residence route (see our work-visa guides) instead of repeated transit entries.

What to do next

  1. Confirm nationality is on the 55-country list.
  2. Book an onward ticket to a third country/region within 240 hours.
  3. Choose a designated port of entry/exit.
  4. Pre-fill the entry card online where available to speed border inspection.
  5. Brief travellers on permitted activities and the stay/area limits.
  6. Keep evidence of the onward itinerary throughout the trip.

Sources

Related reading

  • Work visas & residence permits
  • China’s Talent Visa & Residence Facilitation Reform (2025–2026)
  • Paying for Everything in China: a practical guide for foreign visitors and residents

中国 240 小时过境免签政策：外籍商务旅客实操指南

概述

对派员工或合作伙伴来华开几天会、参展或拜访供应商的外商投资企业来说，落地签与签证材料曾是反复出现的麻烦。中国240 小时过境免签政策已成为合资格国公民免签短期入境中国最便捷的方式之一。

本文说明谁符合资格、在何处与如何入境、停留期间可为与不可为、2024–2025 年的放宽举措，以及企业实操的注意事项。来源为国家移民管理局与国务院门户网站。

政策是什么

240 小时过境免签政策允许指定国家的公民，在前往第三国或地区过境途中，免签入境中国，并在规定区域内停留最多 240 小时（10 天）。停留时间自入境次日零时起算。

关键点是，这是一项过境便利，而非普通访问签证。你必须确实继续前往第三国/地区（而非返回出发地）。

2024–2025 年的放宽

该政策于 2024 年 12 月 17 日全面放宽优化：

  • 更长停留： 由 72/144 小时统一延长至 240 小时（10 天）。
  • 更多口岸： 由 39 个增至 60 个开放口岸，覆盖 24 个省区市。
  • 更广区域： 适用省份/地区由 19 个增至 24 个；新增的安徽、海南、贵州全省开放，山西、江西开放指定城市。
  • 跨区通行： 旅客可在规定停留区域内跨省域旅行（如北京—上海—广东行程可行）。

2025 年 6 月 12 日，印度尼西亚加入，适用国家增至 55 个。2025 年 11 月 3 日，国家移民管理局宣布 10 项扩大开放创新举措，包括将适用口岸提至 65 个，并允许临时入境卡提前网上填报（七类人员免填报）。

谁符合资格（55 国）

  • 欧洲（40）： 奥地利、比利时、捷克、丹麦、爱沙尼亚、芬兰、法国、德国、希腊、匈牙利、冰岛、意大利、拉脱维亚、立陶宛、卢森堡、马耳他、荷兰、波兰、葡萄牙、斯洛伐克、斯洛文尼亚、西班牙、瑞典、瑞士、摩纳哥、俄罗斯、英国、爱尔兰、塞浦路斯、保加利亚、罗马尼亚、乌克兰、塞尔维亚、克罗地亚、波黑、黑山、北马其顿、阿尔巴尼亚、白俄罗斯、挪威。
  • 美洲（6）： 美国、加拿大、巴西、墨西哥、阿根廷、智利。
  • 大洋洲（2）： 澳大利亚、新西兰。
  • 亚洲（7）： 韩国、日本、新加坡、文莱、阿联酋、卡塔尔、印度尼西亚。

条件与材料

使用该政策通常需具备：

  1. 有效期不少于三个月、且符合前往第三国/地区入境条件的护照或国际旅行证件。
  2. 240 小时内前往第三国/地区的已确定联程客票（固定日期与座位）。
  3. 经指定开放口岸入境；填报临时入境卡（现可提前网上填），接受边防检查。

七类人员免填入境卡：持外国人永久居留身份证者、非中国籍港澳居民持相关证件者、团体签证或团体免签入境者、24 小时直接过境不离开口岸限定区域者、随原邮轮返回的邮轮旅客、快捷通道入境者、跨境交通运输工具外籍员工。

可为与不可为

允许： 停留期间的旅游、商务、访问、探亲活动。

未经事先批准不得： 工作、学习、新闻采访——这些仍须事先办妥相应签证。

此外，须遵守地域边界（在规定省区市范围内活动）与时限（240 小时内离境或另行合规化身份）。

外商投资企业实操提示

  • 用于短期行程： 供应商审核、展会（如广交会、进博会）、董事会、合作伙伴拜访等无需正式签证的场合。
  • 行程须为真实过境： 客票须显示前往第三国/地区的续程。
  • 利用口岸覆盖： 60–65 个口岸、24 省区市，多数主要商务枢纽（北京、上海、广东、成都等）均覆盖。
  • 与其他免签政策叠加： 中国对若干国家亦实行单边与互免全面免签，请核对适用对象以最大化便利。
  • 避免逾期与越界： 设置内部提醒；逾期会将便利变为违规。
  • 长期派驻请用工作签证/居留路径（见工作签证指南），而非反复过境。

下一步建议

  1. 确认国籍在 55 国名单内。
  2. 预订 240 小时内前往第三国/地区的续程客票。
  3. 选择指定口岸入境/出境。
  4. 提前网上填报入境卡（如支持）以加快通关。
  5. 向旅客说明可从事活动与停留/区域限制。
  6. 全程保留续程行程证据。

来源

相关阅读

  • 工作签证与居留许可
  • 外籍人才来华签证与居留便利化改革（2025–2026）
  • 在中国怎么付钱：外籍来华人员的支付实操指南
Work Visa / 工作签证

China’s Talent Visa & Residence Facilitation Reform (2025–2026): A Practical Guide for Foreign Professionals and Foreign-Invested Enterprises

  • China added R (talent) and K (young tech talent) visa categories to its entry-exit regulations, effective 1 October 2025.
    中国已在出入境管理条例中新增 R 字（人才）与 K 字（青年科技人才）签证类别，自 2025 年 10 月 1 日起施行。
  • The Five-Star Card permanent residence ID and 240-hour visa-free transit for 55 countries are now in force, easing long-term settlement and short visits.
    新版外国人永久居留身份证”五星卡”已启用，并对 55 个国家实行 240 小时过境免签，便利长期定居与短期访问。
  • Work permit and residence permit now follow “one-window acceptance, parallel approval, simultaneous issuance,” cutting duplication for employers and transferees.
    工作许可与居留许可实行”一口受理、并联审批、同时发证”，减少用人单位与调动人员的重复手续。
  • Port visa eligibility has been widened and is available at 99 ports in 73 cities, covering business, exchange, investment, family and private affairs.
    口岸签证申办范围已扩大，全国 73 个城市 99 个口岸可办，覆盖商贸、交流、投资、探亲及私人事务等情形。
  • Foreign arrivals can pre-fill the entry card online from 20 November 2025 via the NIA website and mini-programs.
    自 2025 年 11 月 20 日起，入境人员可通过国家移民管理局网站及小程序等渠道网上填报入境卡。
  • Foreign-invested enterprises gain easier access to global talent, but must manage the linkage and validity of Z, R/K visas, work permits and residence permits.
    外资企业引进国际人才更为便捷，但仍须注意 Z 字工作签证、工作许可与居留许可的衔接及有效期管理。

China’s Talent Visa & Residence Facilitation Reform (2025–2026): A Practical Guide for Foreign Professionals and Foreign-Invested Enterprises | 外籍人才来华签证与居留便利化改革（2025–2026）：外国专业人士与外资企业实务指南

Overview

Over 2025 and into 2026, China has substantially reshaped how foreign professionals enter and settle in the country. The reforms form a coherent package: new visa categories for high-level and young scientific talent, a modernized permanent residence identity card, expanded transit and port visa convenience, integrated work-permit and residence procedures, and digitalized arrival formalities. Together they signal a clear policy intent — to make China a more accessible destination for the talent that drives innovation and investment, while keeping the immigration system orderly and traceable.

For foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs), these changes matter operationally. Hiring and relocating international staff has long involved navigating separate agencies, overlapping documents and uncertain timelines. The new “one-window” model, combined with dedicated R and K channels, reduces friction at exactly the points where cross-border mobility used to stall. This guide walks through each reform, explains who it benefits, and sets out what employers and individuals should watch.

New R and K Visa Categories

The 2025 revision of the *Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners* introduced two notable ordinary-visa additions. Effective 1 October 2025, the R visa (talent) is issued to foreign high-level talents and urgently needed scarce specialists that the state requires. The K visa (young tech talent) is issued to young foreign scientific and technological professionals entering China.

The R category targets established experts — senior researchers, leading engineers, recognized innovators and specialists in shortage fields — who are precisely the people competitive jurisdictions around the world are recruiting. The K category is a deliberate instrument for pipeline building: it lowers the entry barrier for early-career scientists and technologists, the demographic many innovation systems worry about losing to other destinations.

Practically, the R and K channels sit alongside the long-standing Z (work) visa. Where Z remains the standard route tied to a specific employment position and a notified work permit, R and K provide purpose-built paths calibrated to talent attributes rather than a single job posting. Eligibility hinges on recognized talent criteria, endorsement by qualified employers or institutions, and alignment with the state’s identified needs.

Five-Star Card and Permanent Residence

At the end of 2023, China issued the new-generation foreign permanent resident ID card, colloquially known as the “Five-Star Card” (五星卡), named for the five-star emblem on the document. It is the legal identity document for foreign permanent residents within China, and its rollout has been paired with a campaign to widen its real-world acceptance.

The convenience push extends the card’s use across transport and lodging, financial consumption, mobile communications, and government services, so a permanent resident should increasingly be able to use it like a domestic ID in daily life. For employers, a workforce holding Five-Star Cards removes the recurring cycle of work-permit and residence renewals — a meaningful stabilization of key personnel.

Permanent residence remains a status granted against defined criteria (such as high-level talent, significant investment, or long-term contribution), not an automatic outcome of holding an R or K visa. The card is the instrument that makes an already-granted status practically usable.

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has extended visa-free transit to 240 hours (10 days) and applies it to nationals of 55 countries. Eligible travelers transiting through designated Chinese ports may stay within permitted areas without a visa, provided they hold an onward ticket to a third country or region.

For business visitors, conference attendees and exploratory investors, this removes a common irritant: the need to obtain a visa purely to attend a meeting or scout opportunities. It also supports the “people-to-people” connectivity agenda highlighted in official commentary — short, frictionless visits build the relationships that later convert into investment and talent flows. Travelers should still confirm eligible ports, permitted stay areas and the onward-travel requirement before relying on the policy.

One-Window Acceptance and Parallel Approval

Among the most operationally significant changes is the integration of the work permit and residence permit processes. The model of “one-window acceptance, parallel approval, simultaneous issuance” (一口受理、并联审批、同时发证) lets employers and foreign staff submit through a single channel, with the relevant agencies reviewing in parallel and issuing documents together.

Complementing this, key enterprises and public institutions may transfer foreign employees across regions without requiring them to re-apply for a fresh residence document. Qualified high-level foreign talents, after filing, may take up part-time innovation and entrepreneurship. These measures directly attack the two historical pain points: duplicated paperwork across bureaus and the loss of validity when a talented person moves between a company’s China sites.

Employers should treat the integrated process as a project with internal owners — gathering credentials, notarizations and translations early, and coordinating HR, legal and relocation timelines so the parallel review is not delayed by a single missing item.

Port Visa Liberalization

Port visas — issued on arrival at designated entry ports for those who need to enter urgently and cannot obtain a visa in advance — have been broadened in scope. Where they were once largely limited to business and trade personnel, eligibility now extends to those coming for visit and exchange, investment and entrepreneurship, family visits, and private affairs, where urgent entry is required.

Nationally, 99 ports across 73 cities can handle port visa applications. This matters for contingency mobility: a critical expert needed on short notice, a founder arriving to close a deal, or a family member facing an emergency can be admitted without the wait of an embassy application. Companies should note that port visas are an urgent-entry instrument, not a substitute for the proper work or residence pathway, and status should still be regularized promptly after arrival.

Online Arrival Card Filing

From 20 November 2025, arriving foreigners may complete the entry card (arrival card) in advance through the NIA website, official mini-programs and other designated channels, rather than filling paper forms on the aircraft or at the border. Digital pre-filing streamlines clearance, reduces queue times, and gives travelers a calmer arrival. It is a small change with outsized convenience value for frequent entrants, and it fits the broader digitization of immigration services. Travelers should still carry the supporting documents the card asks about and be ready for inspection.

Implications for Foreign-Invested Enterprises

For FIEs, the reform package changes the calculus of international staffing in three ways. First, dedicated R and K channels make it easier to bring in senior experts and early-career technologists without forcing every case through the standard Z pathway. Second, the integrated permit-and-residence process and cross-region transfer relief reduce administrative drag when building or redeploying a China team. Third, transit and port visa convenience lowers the cost of short visits that often precede hiring or investment decisions.

The flip side is discipline. The expanded toolkit increases the number of status types an HR function must track: Z, R and K visas, the work permit, and the residence permit, each with its own validity and renewal logic. A missed renewal or a mismatch between the work permit employer and the residence permit can interrupt a person’s lawful stay and the business function they support. Best practice is a centralized mobility calendar, early engagement with the local one-window service, and clear onboarding guidance for new arrivals on converting port or transit entry into the correct long-term status.

Sources

  • National Immigration Administration — immigration and exit-entry policy, Five-Star Card, visa-free transit (official portal): https://www.nia.gov.cn
  • *Regulations of the PRC on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners* (2025 revision; new R and K visa categories) (official portal): https://www.nia.gov.cn
  • “Visa facilitation builds a bridge of people-to-people connectivity” (People’s Forum, 2026-07-01): https://www.rmlt.com.cn/2026/0701/752630.shtml
  • Immigration management policy innovation during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (State Council Information Office / Chinese Government, 2025-07): https://www.gov.cn

外籍人才来华签证与居留便利化改革（2025–2026）：外国专业人士与外资企业实务指南

概述

在 2025 年至 2026 年间，中国对外国专业人士来华与在华居留的安排进行了大幅重塑。这些改革是一套完整的组合拳：为高层次人才与青年科技人才设立新的签证类别、启用更现代的永久居留身份证件、扩大过境免签与口岸签证便利、整合工作许可与居留办理流程，并推动入境手续数字化。这些都传递出一个清晰的政策信号——让中国成为更能吸引创新与投资所需人才的目的地，同时保持移民体系的有序与可追溯。

对于外商投资企业（外资企业）而言，这些变化具有切实的运营意义。长期以来，聘请与调动国际员工需要对接多个部门、准备相互重叠的材料，并面对不确定的办理周期。新的”一口受理”模式，叠加专门的 R 字与 K 字通道，恰恰在跨境流动曾经卡顿的环节减少了摩擦。本指南逐一梳理各项改革，说明其受益对象，并指出用人单位与个人应当关注的事项。

R字与K字签证新增类别

《中华人民共和国外国人入境出境管理条例》2025 年修订，在普通签证类别中新增了两项值得关注的签证。自 2025 年 10 月 1 日起，R 字（人才）签证发给国家需要的外国高层次人才和急需紧缺专门人才；K 字（青年科技人才）签证发给入境的外国青年科技人才。

R 字类别面向成熟专家——资深研究人员、领军工程师、受到认可的 innovators，以及紧缺领域的专门人才——他们正是全球各竞争法域都在争抢的对象。K 字类别则是一项旨在培育人才梯队的 deliberate 工具：它降低了青年科学家与技术人才的入境门槛，而这一群体正是许多创新体系担心流失到别处的人群。

在实际操作中，R 与 K 通道与长期存在的 Z 字（工作）签证并行。Z 字仍是绑定具体任职岗位与已登记工作许可的标准路径，而 R、K 则提供了按人才属性而非单一招聘职位量身打造的专门通道。其资格取决于公认的人才标准、合格用人单位或机构的推荐，以及与国家重点需求的契合度。

五星卡与永久居留

2023 年底，中国启用了新一代外国人永久居留身份证，俗称”五星卡”，得名于证件上的五星标识。它是外国永久居留人员在中国境内合法使用的身份证件，其发放伴随一场扩大现实应用场景的便利化的推进。

便利化举措将证件的使用拓展至交通住宿、金融消费、移动通信以及政务服务等领域，使永久居留人员如今应能越来越像使用国内身份证件一样在日常生活中使用此卡。对用人单位而言，持有五星卡的员工队伍消除了工作许可与居留证反复续期的循环——这对关键人员的稳定是一项实质性保障。

永久居留仍是一项依据明确标准（如高层次人才、重大投资或长期贡献）授予的身份，而非持有 R 或 K 签证的自动结果。五星卡正是让已经授予的身份在现实中得以便捷使用的载体。

240小时过境免签

国家移民管理局已将过境免签时长延长至 240 小时（10 天），并适用于 55 个国家的公民。符合条件的旅行者在经指定中国口岸过境时，若持有前往第三国或地区的联程客票，可在准许区域内免签停留。

对商务访客、参会人员与考察投资者而言，这消除了一个常见的烦恼：仅为参会或考察机会而专门申办签证。它也支撑了官方论述中强调的”民心相通”议程——短促、无摩擦的访问能建立起日后转化为投资与人才流动的关系。旅行者仍应在依赖该政策前，确认符合条件的口岸、准许停留区域以及前往第三地的要求。

一口受理与并联审批

在操作层面最为重要的变化之一，是工作许可与居留许可流程的整合。”一口受理、并联审批、同时发证”的模式，让用人单位与外籍员工通过单一渠道提交材料，相关部门并行审核、同步发证。

与之配套的是，重点企事业单位跨区域调动外籍员工可免予重新办理居留证件；符合条件的外籍高层次人才经备案后可兼职创新创业。这些措施直击两大历史性痛点：部门间重复提交材料，以及人才在企业在华各站点间流动时身份效力”断档”的问题。

用人单位应将整合流程视作一个有内部负责人的项目——尽早归集学历、公证与翻译等材料，并协调 HR、法务与搬迁时间线，避免并行审核因缺失项而延误。

口岸签证放宽

口岸签证——在指定入境口岸向急需来华、无法事先办妥签证的人员签发——的申办范围已经扩大。过去其对象大体限于商贸人员，如今已拓展至因访问交流、投资创业、探亲及私人事务等急需来华的人员。

全国 73 个城市 99 个口岸可办理口岸签证。这对应急性流动意义重大：一位亟需到岗的关键专家、一位为敲定交易而抵华的创始人，或一位面临紧急情况的家属，都可在免去使馆申办等待的情况下获准入境。企业应注意，口岸签证是应急入境手段，而非正当工作或居留路径的替代，入境后仍应及时将身份规范化。

入境卡网上填报

自 2025 年 11 月 20 日起，入境外国人可通过国家移民管理局网站、官方小程序等指定渠道提前填报入境卡（ arrival card），而无需在飞机上或口岸现场填写纸质表单。数字化预填报简化了通关流程、缩短了排队时间，也让旅客的入境体验更从容。对于频繁入境者，这是一项便利价值被放大的小改革，也契合移民服务整体数字化的方向。旅客仍应携带入境卡所询及的支持性材料，并备妥接受查验。

对外资企业的意义

对外资企业而言，这套改革方案从三个方面改变了国际用人的算盘。其一，专门的 R、K 通道让引进资深专家与青年科技人才更为容易，无需把每个案例都塞进标准 Z 路径。其二，许可与居留的整合流程以及跨区域调动的便利，降低了组建或重新部署中国团队时的行政阻力。其三，过境与口岸签证便利降低了往往 precedes 招聘或投资决策的短期访问成本。

硬币的另一面是纪律性。扩充的工具箱增加了 HR 职能必须追踪的身份类型数量：Z、R、K 字签证，工作许可与居留许可，各自有独立的效力与续期逻辑。一次错过的续期，或工作许可用人单位与居留许可之间的错配，都可能中断一个人的合法停留，以及其所支撑的业务职能。最佳做法是建立集中的流动日历、尽早对接属地一口受理服务，并为新到人员提供清晰指引，将口岸或过境入境转化为正确的长期身份。

来源

  • 国家移民管理局——移民出入境管理政策、五星卡、过境免签（官方门户）：https://www.nia.gov.cn
  • 《中华人民共和国外国人入境出境管理条例》（2025 年修订，新增 R 字／K 字签证）（官方门户）：https://www.nia.gov.cn
  • 《签证便利架起民心相通桥梁》（人民论坛网，2026-07-01）：https://www.rmlt.com.cn/2026/0701/752630.shtml
  • “十四五”期间移民管理政策创新（国务院新闻办／中国政府网，2025-07）：https://www.gov.cn
Work Visa / 工作签证

Permanent Residence (“China Green Card”) & R-Class Talent Visas for Foreign Professionals

  • The Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card (“China Green Card”) lets its holder reside in China without time limit and enter/exit on passport + card; it is granted by the National Immigration Administration (NIA, 国家移民管理局) under the Permanent Residence Approval Measures.
    《外国人永久居留身份证》（”中国绿卡”）持证人可不受限期在华居留，并凭护照加绿卡出入；由国家移民管理局依《外国人在中国永久居留审批管理办法》审批。
  • Main eligibility tracks: direct investment (3 stable years + good tax), holding office (deputy GM+/associate prof+ for 4 of 4 years in China, good tax), special contribution, and spouse/minor-child of qualifying persons; overseas Chinese with a PhD or 4 years in a key zone also qualify.
    主要准入通道：直接投资（连续 3 年稳定投资且纳税良好）、任职（副总/副校长级以上或副教授级以上，4 年中在华满 3 年且纳税良好）、特殊贡献，以及符合条件人员的配偶/未成年子女；具博士学历或在重点区域工作满 4 年的外籍华人亦可申请。
  • The R (talent) visa is for high-level foreign talent and their spouses/children; it supports multiple entries and is the fast track into work/residence permits.
    R 字（人才）签证面向外籍高层次人才及其配偶、子女；支持多次入境，是进入工作/居留许可的快捷通道。
  • NIA’s 12 immigration facilitation policies for free-trade zones allow 5-year residence for introduced talent and, after two 1-year+ work residences with clean record, a 5-year work-residence on the third application.
    国家移民管理局自贸区 12 条便利政策允许对引进人才签发 5 年居留；连续两次办妥 1 年以上工作类居留且无违法违规的，第三次可申请 5 年工作类居留。
  • NIA 2026 No.1 Notice pilots online accommodation registration in seven provinces via the 12367 app/website — a daily-life convenience for foreign residents.
    国家移民管理局 2026 年第 1 号公告在七省试点住宿登记网上办理（12367 应用/网站），是外籍常住人员的生活便利。
  • China’s expanded 240-hour visa-free transit and regional entry visa-free policies ease short business visits; they are distinct from work/residence status.
    中国扩大的 240 小时过境免签与区域性入境免签便利短期商务往来；它们与工作/居留身份不同。
  • Green-Card holders enjoy near-national treatment on many matters (banking, social insurance, home purchase) using the card as ID — plan the documentation early.
    绿卡持有人在诸多事项（银行、社保、购房）上凭卡作为身份证件享近国民待遇——应尽早规划材料。

Permanent Residence (“China Green Card”) & R-Class Talent Visas for Foreign Professionals | 外籍高层次人才永久居留（中国绿卡）与 R 字人才签证

Overview

For foreign professionals and the companies that move them, the long-game question is not just “how do I get a work visa?” but “how do I put down roots?” China’s permanent residence status — the “Green Card” — and the R-class talent visa are the two instruments that answer that. This article explains who qualifies, how the Green Card and R visa work, the 2026 facilitation measures that matter, and how they connect to the standard work-residence path. It complements our work-visas article and the HR social-insurance article.

Permanent residence — the “China Green Card”

Issued under the Measures for the Administration of Approval of Foreigners’ Permanent Residence in China, the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card is the highest form of stay status. Holders may reside in China without time limit and exit/enter on passport + card; their lawful rights and interests are protected by law. Approval is handled by the National Immigration Administration (NIA, 国家移民管理局) via provincial exit-entry authorities.

Eligibility tracks

  • Direct investment: stable investment in China for 3 consecutive years with good tax records (encouraged-category FIEs need the relevant confirmation).
  • Holding office: deputy general manager / vice-factory-director level or above, or associate senior professional title (associate professor+) and equivalent treatment, serving continuously for 4 years with no less than 3 of those years in China and good tax records.
  • Special contribution: to China’s economic/social development, or where the state has special need.
  • Family: spouse and unmarried minor children of the above; also spouse of a Chinese citizen / Green-Card holder after 5 years of marriage and 5 years’ residence, unmarried minors joining parents, and elderly dependants with no overseas relatives.
  • Overseas Chinese: those with a PhD, or who worked continuously 4 years in a key development zone (≥6 months/year), may apply.

Application basics

File at the municipal exit-entry authority: application form, interview, valid passport, overseas non-criminal record, health certificate, proof of livelihood, and matter-specific materials (e.g., business licence + annual-report proof + foreign-investment confirmation for investors; appointment proof for office-holders). NIA may cancel status for endangering national security/interests, deportation by court, fraudulent acquisition, or failing the residence-day minimums.

The R (talent) visa

The R visa is a dedicated category for high-level foreign talent and their accompanying spouses and children. It is the instrument of choice for recruiting globally mobile experts: it supports multiple entries and a relatively long validity, and it feeds directly into work and residence permits once the expert is in post. Talent is typically identified by national/regional talent programmes, key laboratories, leading enterprises and innovation teams.

NIA facilitation policies (FTZ 12 measures)

To serve free-trade zones and innovation hubs, NIA’s 12 immigration & exit-entry facilitation policies (building on 2018/2020 measures) include:

  • High-level talent, those with major contributions, or specially needed persons may be recommended for permanent residence by competent authorities / provincial governments / key-zone managers; spouses and minor children may join.
  • Introduced talent in key sectors/innovation teams may obtain residence permits valid up to 5 years on the strength of the work permit and employer letter.
  • After two consecutive 1-year+ work-residence permits with no violation, the third application may receive a 5-year work-residence permit.
  • High-level talent at key universities/research institutes may, with consent, take part-time innovation/entrepreneurship.

2026 facilitation that matters

  • Online accommodation registration pilot — NIA 2026 No.1 Notice (effective 2026-03-20) lets foreigners or their hosts register accommodation online via the NIA site or the 移民局 12367 app/WeChat/AliPay mini-programs in Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing and Sichuan, rolling out nationwide.
  • Transit & regional visa-free expansion — China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit and various regional entry visa-free policies ease short business and exploratory trips; useful for pre-decision site visits, but separate from work/residence.

Green Card treatment & planning

Holders use the card as a valid ID for many daily and official acts: opening bank accounts, enrolling in social insurance (unemployed holders may join resident basic medical insurance), and certain home-purchase and vehicle matters. Companies should plan documentation early — the non-criminal and health certificates, and the tax/employment proofs, take lead time and often need notarisation/legalisation.

What to do next

  • Map each senior assignee to a Green-Card track early; start collecting non-criminal, health and tax proofs 6–12 months ahead.
  • For high-level hires, use the R visa as the entry instrument, then convert to work + residence permits on arrival.
  • Track the 1-year+ work-residence count to unlock the 5-year residence on the third application.
  • Register accommodation online via 12367 where the pilot applies; keep the record current after each move.
  • Use short visa-free transit for exploratory visits, but open a work-residence file before any paid activity.

Sources

  • 国家移民管理局 NIA（政务服务/12367）— https://www.nia.gov.cn (official portal)
  • 国家移民管理局 2026 年第 1 号公告（住宿登记网上办理试点）— https://s.nia.gov.cn/mps/tztg/202601/t20261010_1010.html
  • 外国人永久居留资格审批服务指南 — https://s.nia.gov.cn/mps/bszy/wgrcrj/yjjl/201903/t20190313_1008.html
  • 国家移民管理局促进服务自贸区建设 12 条移民与出入境便利政策 — https://www.nia.gov.cn (official portal)

Related reading

  • see also: 签证移民-工作签证 (standard work visas & residence permits)
  • see also: 人力资源-雇佣管理 (social insurance for foreign employees)
  • see also: 在华生活-来华生活指南 (day-to-day life for expatriates)

外籍高层次人才永久居留（中国绿卡）与 R 字人才签证

概述

对外籍专业人士与调动他们的企业而言，长远问题不只是”如何拿到工作签证”，更是”如何扎根”。中国的永久居留身份——”绿卡”——与 R 字人才签证，正是回答这一问题的两把钥匙。本文说明谁有资格、绿卡与 R 签证如何运作、2026 年哪些便利举措重要，以及它们如何与标准工作—居留路径衔接。它与本库”工作签证”及”人力资源（社保）”文章互补。

永久居留——”中国绿卡”

依《外国人在中国永久居留审批管理办法》签发的《外国人永久居留身份证》是停留身份的最高形态。持证人可不受限期在华居留，凭护照加绿卡出入，合法权益受法律保护。审批由国家移民管理局（NIA）通过省级出入境机关办理。

准入通道

  • 直接投资：在中国连续 3 年投资稳定且纳税记录良好（鼓励类外资企业需相应确认）。
  • 任职：副总经理/副厂长级以上，或副教授级以上及同等待遇，连续任职满 4 年、其中在华不少于 3 年且纳税良好。
  • 特殊贡献：对中国经济社会发展有突出贡献，或国家特别需要。
  • 家属：上述人员的配偶及未婚未成年子女；中国公民或绿卡持有人配偶婚后满 5 年、在华连续居留满 5 年者可申请；投靠父母的未成年子女、境外无直系亲属的 60 岁以上投靠亲属亦可。
  • 外籍华人：具博士研究生学历，或在国家重点发展区域连续工作满 4 年（每年不少于 6 个月）者可申请。

申请要点

向设区的市级出入境机关申请：填表、面谈、有效护照、境外无犯罪记录、健康证明、生活保障证明，以及事由材料（投资者含营业执照副本、年报证明、外商投资项目确认书；任职者含任职证明）。若危害国家安全利益、被法院判处驱逐出境、以虚假材料骗取，或未满足居留天数下限，NIA 可取消资格。

R 字（人才）签证

R 签证是面向外籍高层次人才及其随任配偶、子女的专门类别。它是招聘全球流动专家的首选工具：支持多次入境与较长有效期，专家到岗后可直接转换为工作与居留许可。人才通常由国家级/区域级人才计划、重点实验室、领军企业与创新团队认定。

移民局便利政策（自贸区 12 条）

为服务自贸区与创新枢纽，国家移民管理局促进服务自贸区建设 12 条移民与出入境便利政策（在 2018/2020 措施基础上）包括：

  • 高层次人才、重大贡献或特别需要人员，可经主管部门/省级政府/重点区域管理部门推荐申请永久居留；配偶与未成年子女随同。
  • 重点行业/创新团队引进人才，凭工作许可与单位函件可获最长 5 年居留许可。
  • 连续两次办妥 1 年以上工作类居留且无违法违规的，第三次申请可获5 年工作类居留许可。
  • 重点高校/科研院所高层次人才经同意可兼职创新创业。

2026 年重要便利

  • 住宿登记网上办理试点——国家移民管理局2026 年第 1 号公告（2026-03-20 施行）允许外籍人员或其留宿人通过移民局网站或“移民局 12367”App/微信/支付宝小程序，在河北、辽宁、浙江、湖北、广西、重庆、四川七省（区、市）网上办理；逐步全国推广。
  • 过境与区域免签扩围——中国240 小时（10 天）过境免签及多项区域性入境免签，便利短期商务与考察；适合决策前考察走访，但不同于工作/居留。

绿卡待遇与规划

持有人以绿卡作为有效身份证件办理诸多日常与公务事项：开立银行账户、参加社会保险（未就业持有人可参加城乡居民基本医疗保险）、部分购房与机动车事项。企业应尽早规划材料——无犯罪记录、健康证明及纳税/任职证明均需周期，且常需公证认证。

下一步建议

  • 及早将每位高管外派人员对应到绿卡通道；提前 6–12 个月收集无犯罪、健康与纳税证明。
  • 对高层次引进人才，以 R 签证作为入境工具，到岗后转为工作+居留许可。
  • 累计 1 年以上工作类居留次数，以在第三次申请解锁 5 年居留。
  • 在试点范围内通过 12367 网上办理住宿登记；每次搬家后保持登记更新。
  • 以短期过境免签做考察走访，但任何有偿活动前须先开立工作—居留档案。

来源

  • 国家移民管理局 NIA（政务服务/12367）— https://www.nia.gov.cn
  • 国家移民管理局 2026 年第 1 号公告（住宿登记网上办理试点）— https://s.nia.gov.cn/mps/tztg/202601/t20261010_1010.html
  • 外国人永久居留资格审批服务指南 — https://s.nia.gov.cn/mps/bszy/wgrcrj/yjjl/201903/t20190313_1008.html
  • 国家移民管理局促进服务自贸区建设 12 条移民与出入境便利政策 — https://www.nia.gov.cn

相关阅读

  • 参见：签证移民-工作签证（标准工作签证与居留许可）
  • 参见：人力资源-雇佣管理（外籍员工社会保险）
  • 参见：在华生活-来华生活指南（外籍人士日常生活）
Work Visa / 工作签证

Foreigner Work and Residence Permit “One-Stop” Reforms Across China: Jinan, Xiamen, Hainan and the 2026 Joint-Processing Wave

  • On 12 August 2026 Jinan High-tech Zone opened the city’s first joint window for foreigner work permits and residence permits, completing the entire process in under ten minutes for its first applicant — a shift from multi-window, multi-visit processing to one-stop parallel approval.
    2026 年 8 月 12 日，济南高新区启用全市首个”外国人来华工作许可、居留许可联办窗口”，首位申请者不到十分钟完成全部手续——从”多窗跑多次”变为”一次提交、并联审批、一站式办结”。
  • The joint model integrates the work permit, work-type residence permit, social insurance registration and professional title review in one service zone, compressing processing from 35 working days to about 10 working days — an efficiency gain of over 70%.
    联办模式把工作许可、工作类居留证件、社保登记与职称评审整合到同一服务专区，办理时限从 35 个工作日压缩至约 10 个工作日，效率提升超 70%。
  • Xiamen has cut application materials from 42 to 21 items (a 50% reduction) for foreigner work-related matters, and Fujian’s NDRC has promoted the practice as a province-wide best-practice case for improving the business environment.
    厦门将外国人工作相关事项申请材料从 42 份精简至 21 份（精简率 50%），福建省发改委将其作为优化营商环境典型经验在全省推广。
  • Hainan has launched a “Work in China” one-stop solution on the provincial international services website, consolidating nine services including work permits, residence permits, social insurance registration and overseas professional qualification recognition into a single online entryway.
    海南在省级国际服务平台上线”Work in China”一站式解决方案，把外国人来华工作许可、工作类居留许可、社保登记、境外职业资格认可等 9 项服务整合进单一在线入口。
  • For employers, the practical effect is a faster, more predictable hiring timeline for foreign staff, lower compliance workload and clearer points of contact — but work-permit eligibility (A/B/C classification) and the underlying application requirements remain unchanged.
    对外资雇主，实际效果是招聘外籍员工的时间线更快、更可预期，合规工作量与对接点更清晰——但工作许可 A/B/C 分类与底层申请条件未变。

Foreigner Work and Residence Permit “One-Stop” Reforms Across China: Jinan, Xiamen, Hainan and the 2026 Joint-Processing Wave | 外国人来华工作与居留许可”一件事”改革：济南、厦门、海南与 2026 年联办浪潮

The joint window opens in Jinan

On 12 August 2026 the Jinan High-tech Zone administrative service centre opened the city’s first “foreigner work permit and residence permit joint window”. The first applicant, a Russian national completing a residence-permit renewal for his role as a sales manager at a Jinan import-export company, finished the entire process in under ten minutes. Under the previous arrangement, foreign staff and their employers shuttled between different windows — the work permit with the science and technology department, the residence permit with the public security entry-exit authority, social insurance elsewhere — with the whole sequence reportedly taking around 35 working days. The joint window compresses the process to about ten working days through parallel approval, an efficiency gain of more than 70%. The high-tech zone’s service area also integrates social insurance registration and information changes, professional title review coordination and, through third-party resources, notarisation services and talent-policy interpretation — what the zone describes as a complete “foreign-related HR administration package” for employers.

The Xiamen template and the Fujian promotion

Xiamen has gone furthest in quantifying the simplification. The city’s human resources and social security bureau, together with the public security bureau and the tax bureau, restructured four matters involved in foreigner work — work-permit issuance, change and extension; work-type residence permit issuance; and tax-registration-related items — from a serial, three-department process into an integrated “one window, parallel approval” model. The result: application materials were cut from 42 to 21 items, a 50% reduction. Fujian’s Development and Reform Commission has promoted the Xiamen practice as a province-wide best-practice case for business-environment improvement (the second batch of 2026). For employers, the Xiamen case demonstrates that the joint-processing reform is not a single-city experiment but a template being propagated at provincial level.

The Hainan “Work in China” platform

Hainan has taken the reform online. The province launched a “Work in China” one-stop solution on the Hainan International Service Website (wssp.hainan.gov.cn) and the Haiyiban platform, consolidating nine services — including foreigner work permits, work-type residence permits, employee social insurance registrations and overseas professional qualification recognition — into a single online entryway with automated data sharing. Applicants and companies log in with individual or corporate accounts under the “Efficient One-Stop Services” section, complete forms, submit applications and track progress in real time. The online model matters for employers because it removes the need to know which department handles which step: one platform, one account, one application record.

The wider pattern

The Jinan, Xiamen and Hainan cases sit within a broader national pattern. Songshan Lake in Dongguan has run a joint work-permit and residence-permit window since July 2026 through the city’s immigration services sub-centre; Foshan publishes a “foreigner work in China, one thing” guide covering work permits, residence documents, social security cards, and professional title review; and multiple provinces are converting the “one thing” reform from a convenience into a standard for foreign-related government services. The reform is administrative, not legal: the underlying regime remains the work permit classification system (Category A high-level talent, Category B professionals, Category C ordinary workers), the invitation-letter requirement and the point-based evaluation, and the validity periods of work permits and residence permits are unchanged. What has changed is the procedural interface.

Why the reform matters for foreign employers

For a foreign-invested company hiring expatriate staff, the practical gains are substantial. First, hiring timelines shrink: a joint process of about ten working days versus a serial process of over a month materially shortens the gap between offer and start date. Second, administrative burden falls: one set of documents, one submission, one point of contact, instead of multiple departments and repeated filings. Third, predictability improves: with clearly defined windows and online tracking, employers can plan onboarding around a reliable calendar. Fourth, the extension and renewal path is smoother: renewal — the case type of Jinan’s first applicant — benefits most from the joint model because the same documents are needed by both authorities. Fifth, integration with adjacent services (social insurance, tax registration, professional title review, notarisation) reduces the number of separate visits an employee must make in the first months of employment.

Practical guidance for employers

First, before recruiting, confirm the job’s work-permit category (A/B/C) and that the foreign candidate meets the salary, education and experience thresholds, since the joint window speeds up processing, not eligibility. Second, in the four cities and provinces with joint windows, prepare a single document package aligned to the window’s checklist; in other locations, continue to prepare the department-by-department packages but watch for local “one thing” reforms. Third, use the online platforms where available (Hainan’s “Work in China”, local government service networks) and keep employer account details ready. Fourth, plan social insurance and tax registration at the same time as the permit applications, since the integrated service zones now handle them in parallel. Fifth, monitor provincial business-environment case lists — the Xiamen case shows that local reform innovations are being catalogued and propagated, and the next joint-window city may be the one you operate in.

Outlook

The 2026 joint-processing wave is converting China’s foreigner work and residence administration from a multi-department burden into a streamlined, increasingly online process. The underlying eligibility rules are unchanged, but the procedural interface — one window, parallel approval, reduced materials, online tracking — is being normalised city by city and province by province. For foreign employers and their HR teams, the practical message is to audit which joint services are available in each operating location and to build the hiring calendar around them, because the direction of reform is unambiguous: faster, simpler and more predictable.

Sources

外国人来华工作与居留许可”一件事”改革：济南、厦门、海南与 2026 年联办浪潮

联办窗口在济南启用

2026 年 8 月 12 日，济南高新区政务服务中心启用全市首个”外国人来华工作许可、居留许可联办窗口”。首位申请者——一名在济南进出口企业任销售经理、办理居留许可延期的俄罗斯青年——不到十分钟完成全部手续。此前，外籍员工与雇主需在不同窗口之间奔波：工作许可找科技部门、居留许可找公安出入境、社保又另寻他处，全程据称约需 35 个工作日。联办窗口通过并联审批把时限压缩至约 10 个工作日，效率提升超 70%。高新区服务专区还整合社保登记及信息变更、职称评定对接，并经第三方资源提供涉外公证与人才政策解读——用园区的话说，为雇主提供一整套”涉外 HR 政务集成方案”。

厦门模板与福建推广

厦门在量化简化方面走得最远。市人社局牵头，联合市公安局、市税务局，把外国人工作涉及的 4 个事项——工作许可签发、变更、延期，工作类居留证件签发，税务登记关联事项——从”串联跑三部门”改造为”一窗受理、并联审批”集成模式。结果：申请材料从 42 份精简至 21 份，精简率 50%。福建省发改委已把厦门做法作为 2026 年第二批优化营商环境典型经验在全省推广。对雇主，厦门案例表明联办改革不是单城试验，而是省级推广的模板。

海南”Work in China”平台

海南把改革搬上线上。该省在国际服务网站（wssp.hainan.gov.cn）与”海易办”平台上线”Work in China”一站式解决方案，把外国人来华工作许可、工作类居留许可、员工社保登记、境外职业资格认可等 9 项服务整合进单一在线入口，自动数据共享。申请人与企业以个人或企业账户登录”高效办成一件事”专栏，在线填表、提交、实时跟踪进度。在线模式对雇主的意义在于不必再知道哪一步归哪个部门：一个平台、一个账户、一份申请记录。

更大范围的模式

济南、厦门、海南案例属于更广的全国模式。东莞松山湖自 2026 年 7 月起依托东莞移民事务服务中心松山湖分中心实现工作许可与居留许可”一窗办理、并联审批”；佛山发布”外国人来华工作一件事”办事指引，覆盖工作许可、居留证件、社保卡与职称评审；多省正把”一件事”改革从便利升级为涉外政务标准。改革是行政性的，而非法律性的：底层制度未变——工作许可 A（高层次人才）、B（专业人才）、C（普通人员）分类、邀请函要求与积分评估、工作许可与居留许可有效期均不变。变化的是程序界面。

改革对外资雇主的意义

对招聘外籍员工的外资企业，实际收益可观。其一，招聘周期缩短：约 10 个工作日的联办流程对比一个多月的串联流程，实质缩短从录用通知到入职的空档。其二，行政负担下降：一套材料、一次提交、一个对接点，取代多部门与重复申报。其三，可预期性提高：窗口与在线跟踪明确，雇主可围绕可靠日历规划入职。其四，延期与续办更顺：续办——济南首位申请者的案件类型——最受益于联办，因为两部门需要同一套文件。其五，与相邻服务（社保、税务登记、职称评审、公证）的整合减少员工入职头几个月须单独跑的次数。

雇主实操指引

其一，招聘前确认岗位工作许可类别（A/B/C）与候选人薪酬、学历、经验门槛——联办提速的是办理，不是资格。其二，在已设联办窗口的四城/省份，按窗口清单准备单一文件包；其他地区继续按部门分套准备，但留意本地”一件事”改革。其三，可用处善用在线平台（海南”Work in China”、各地政务网），备好雇主账户。其四，在提交许可申请的同时规划社保与税务登记——集成服务专区现已并联办理。其五，跟踪省级营商环境案例清单——厦门案例表明地方创新正被建档推广，下一个联办窗口城市可能正是你运营之地。

展望

2026 年联办浪潮正把中国外国人工作与居留管理从多部门负担转化为精简、日益在线的流程。底层资格规则未变，但程序界面——一窗、并联、减材料、在线跟踪——正逐城逐省常态化。对外国雇主与 HR 团队，实务信息是审计各运营地可用联办服务，并围绕它们构建招聘日历——改革方向无可置疑：更快、更简、更可预期。

Sources

Work Visa / 工作签证

Work visas & residence permits

  • Bringing a foreigner to work in China is a sequential two-stage process: obtain the Z visa (entry), then, within 30 days of arrival, the work permit and the work-type residence permit.
    将外籍员工带入中国工作是一个先后衔接的两阶段流程：先取得 Z 签证（入境），再于入境后 30 日内办妥工作许可证与工作类居留证件。
  • The Z visa is only an entry instrument, not work authorization; the residence permit authorises both residence and work, and only for the employer named on the permit.
    Z 签证仅是入境凭证而非工作授权；真正授权居留与工作的是居留证件，且仅限许可证载明的雇主。
  • Foreign workers are classified into tiers A (high-end talent), B (professional), and C (other), with A enjoying the most streamlined treatment.
    外籍员工分为 A 类（高端人才）、B 类（专业人才）、C 类（其他），其中 A 类享最便利待遇。
  • Residence-permit validity tiers run up to 5 years (high-level talents/investors), 2 years (good-record entities), and 1 year (others) — longer terms are not automatic.
    居留证件有效期最长为 5 年（高层次人才/投资者）、2 年（信誉良好的备案单位）、1 年（其他）——更长有效期并非自动取得。
  • Residence permits valid above one year require a health certificate confirming absence of specified serious infectious diseases.
    有效期一年以上的居留证件须提交健康证明，证明无指定的严重传染病。
  • Switching employers generally requires a new work-permit application; the foreigner must not simply move to a new employer on the old permit, or a status gap results.
    更换雇主一般须重新申请工作许可证；外国人不得仅凭旧证转投新雇主，否则会出现身份空档。
  • A foreigner may lawfully work only for the employer named on the work permit and residence permit — never let work begin before both are in place.
    外国人仅可为工作许可证与居留证件载明的雇主合法工作——在两者齐备前切勿让员工开始工作。

Work visas & residence permits | 工作签证与居留许可

Overview

Bringing foreign staff to China is a two-stage administrative process: first an entry visa (the Z visa), then, after arrival, the work permit and the work-type residence permit. The steps are sequential and deadline-driven, and the foreigner is legally permitted to work only for the employer named on the permit. Getting the sequence right — and understanding who may be exempt — saves weeks of rework. This article explains the Z visa, the work-permit stage, the residence-permit process and its validity tiers, and renewal/change rules.

Informational guidance only; the exact documents and thresholds are set locally and change, so verify with the responsible authority before acting.

Stage 1 — The Z visa (entry)

A foreign national coming to China to take up employment generally needs a Z visa (the work visa) to enter. The employer in China first obtains a Work Permit Notice (外国人来华工作许可通知) from the local foreign-expert/work authority (the system is unified under the “Foreigners Working in China” work-permit framework, administered by the human-resources and foreign-expert authorities). The foreign national then presents the notice (and other consular documents) to a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad to obtain the Z visa.

A key point: the Z visa is an entry instrument, not the authorisation to work. It is typically a single-entry visa valid for a limited period, during which the holder must enter China and complete the in-country steps below. Certain categories may be exempt from the Z visa or the permit — for example, holders of specific intergovernmental agreements, or chief representatives of foreign-invested enterprises’ representative offices, who may convert other visa types on arrival. Foreigners already in China on another status generally cannot simply “start working”; they must regularise through the proper route.

Stage 2 — Work permit and residence permit

After entering on a Z visa, the foreigner must, within 30 days, complete two in-country steps:

  1. Work permit (外国人工作许可证). Apply to the local foreign-expert/work authority with the employer’s supporting documents. China classifies foreign workers into tiers — commonly Category A (high-end talent), B (professional), and C (other) — with A enjoying the most streamlined treatment. The result is the physical/work-permit confirmation.
  2. Work-type residence permit (工作类居留证件). With the work permit and an employer certification letter, apply to the public-security exit-entry authority (the National Immigration Administration delegates residence-permit acceptance to exit-entry departments of cities at prefecture level and above). The residence permit — not the visa sticker — is what authorises the foreigner to reside and work for the named employer.

For residence permits with a validity above one year, a health certificate (issued by the local quarantine or a county-level-or-above medical institution) is required, confirming the applicant does not have serious mental disorder, tuberculosis, or other specified infectious diseases.

Validity tiers and who gets how long

The residence permit’s maximum validity depends on the applicant’s status:

ApplicantMax residence validity
High-level talents, urgently-needed professionals, investorsUp to 5 years
Foreigners working in registered entities with a good compliance track recordUp to 2 years
Other personnelUp to 1 year

A longer permit is not automatic; it follows from the applicant’s classification and the employer’s record. The work permit itself is subject to its own validity and must be renewed in step with the residence permit.

Renewals, changes and employer switches

  • Renewal/extension. Apply for extension, change, or re-issuance of the residence permit before it expires. Late applications risk overstay penalties and disruption.
  • Changing employer or position. A work permit is tied to a specific employer and (often) position. Changing employers generally requires a new work-permit application; the foreigner should not simply move to a new employer on the old permit. Coordinating the work permit and residence permit is essential to avoid a gap in lawful status.
  • Family. Spouses and children may, depending on circumstances, obtain dependent (reunion-type) residence permits; these are separate applications with their own documentation.
  • Exemption awareness. Some roles and treaty-based assignments are exempt from the permit/visa requirements; confirm eligibility rather than assuming the full route applies.

What to do next

  • Plan the sequence early: employer obtains the Work Permit Notice → foreigner gets the Z visa abroad → enters China → work permit + residence permit within 30 days.
  • Confirm the foreign worker’s category (A/B/C) and prepare the corresponding evidence (qualifications, work experience, health documents).
  • For residence permits over one year, arrange the health certificate from the proper local institution in advance.
  • Never let the foreigner begin work before the work permit and residence permit are in place, and only for the named employer.
  • Calendar renewal deadlines for both the work permit and residence permit; start extensions well before expiry.
  • When changing employers or roles, file a new work-permit application and align the residence permit to avoid a status gap.

Sources

  • National Immigration Administration (国家移民管理局) — Service Guide on Issuance of Residence Permit for Foreigners (English): https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147423/n147478/n147715/c158270/content.html
  • National Immigration Administration — Guide on Issuance of Foreigner Residence Certificates (Chinese): https://www.nia.gov.cn/News/news/content.jsp?id=1356308
  • National Immigration Administration — Regulations on Employment of Foreigners in China (Chinese): https://www.nia.gov.cn/News/news/content.jsp?id=1355953

Related reading

  • see also: Hiring local staff: contracts & social insurance / 雇佣本地员工：合同与社保
  • see also: Labour dispatch and secondment rules / 劳务派遣与借调规则

工作签证与居留许可

概述

将外籍员工带入中国，是一个两阶段的行政流程：先取得入境签证（Z 签证），入境后再办理工作许可证与工作类居留证件。步骤先后衔接、限时严格，且外国人仅可为许可证载明的雇主合法工作。把顺序走对、弄清谁可豁免，能省去数周返工。本文说明 Z 签证、工作许可阶段、居留许可流程及其有效期限分层、续期与变更规则。

本文仅为信息性指引；具体材料与门槛由地方规定且会调整，行动前请向主管机关核实。

第一阶段：Z 签证（入境）

来华就业的外国公民通常须持 Z 签证（工作签证）入境。中国境内用人单位先向当地外国专家/人社主管部门取得《外国人来华工作许可通知》（该制度统一于”外国人来华工作许可”框架之下，由人社与外国专家主管部门管理）。外国公民持该通知（及其他领事材料）向中国驻外使领馆申请 Z 签证。

关键一点：Z 签证是入境凭证，并非工作授权。它通常为单次入境、有效期有限，持证人须在此期间入境并完成下述境内步骤。某些类别可豁免 Z 签证或许可——例如依特定政府间协议者，或外商投资企业常驻代表机构的首席代表/代表，可在入境后转换其他签证类型。已持其他身份在华的外国人，一般不能”直接开始工作”，而须经由正规路径合规化。

第二阶段：工作许可证与居留许可

持 Z 签证入境后，外国人须于 30 日内 完成两项境内步骤：

  1. 工作许可证（外国人工作许可证）。 凭用人单位证明材料，向当地外国专家/人社主管部门申请。中国将外国人员分为若干层次——常见为 A 类（高端人才）、B 类（专业人才）、C 类（其他），其中 A 类享最便利待遇。核发后即取得工作许可证。
  2. 工作类居留证件。 凭工作许可证与用人单位证明函，向公安机关出入境管理机构申请（国家移民管理局将居留证件受理委托至设区的市级以上公安机关出入境部门）。真正授权外国人居留并为具名雇主工作的，是居留证件而非签证贴纸。

有效期一年以上的居留证件，须提交健康证明（由当地检疫部门或县级以上医疗机构出具），证明申请人无严重精神障碍、肺结核或其他指定传染病。

有效期限与分层

居留证件的最长有效期限取决于申请人身份：

申请人居留最长有效期
高层次人才、急需紧缺专门人才、投资者最长 5 年
在信誉良好备案单位工作的外国人最长 2 年
其他人员最长 1 年

更长有效期并非自动取得，而取决于人员分类与用人单位记录。工作许可证本身亦有自身有效期，须与居留证件同步续期。

续期、变更与换雇主

  • 续期/延期。 在居留证件届满前申请延期、变更或补发；逾期申请将招致逾期停留处罚与工作中断。
  • 更换雇主或岗位。 工作许可证绑定特定雇主（及常含岗位）。更换雇主一般须重新申请工作许可证；外国人不得仅凭旧证转投新雇主。协调工作许可证与居留证件，是避免出现合法身份空档的关键。
  • 家属。 配偶与子女可视情形取得家属（团聚类）居留证件；属独立申请，各有材料要求。
  • 豁免意识。 部分岗位与条约项下派驻可豁免许可/签证要求；应确认资格，而非默认适用全流程。

下一步建议

  • 尽早规划顺序：用人单位取得工作许可通知 → 外籍员工境外获 Z 签证 → 入境 → 30 日内办妥工作许可证与居留证件。
  • 确认外籍员工类别（A/B/C），并备齐相应证明（资历、工作经历、健康材料）。
  • 对一年以上居留证件，提前于当地合规机构安排健康证明。
  • 在工作许可证与居留证件齐备前，切勿让员工开始工作，且仅限具名雇主。
  • 将工作许可证与居留证件的续期节点记入日历；于届满前尽早启动延期。
  • 更换雇主或岗位时，重新申请工作许可证并使居留证件同步，避免身份空档。

来源

  • 国家移民管理局——外国人居留证件签发服务指南（英文）：https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147423/n147478/n147715/c158270/content.html
  • 国家移民管理局——外国人居留证件签发服务指南（中文）：https://www.nia.gov.cn/News/news/content.jsp?id=1356308
  • 国家移民管理局——《外国人在中国就业管理规定》（中文）：https://www.nia.gov.cn/News/news/content.jsp?id=1355953

相关阅读

  • see also: 雇佣本地员工：合同与社保 / Hiring local staff: contracts & social insurance
  • see also: 劳务派遣与借调规则 / Labour dispatch and secondment rules
Work Visa / 工作签证

China’s 2026 Exit-Entry Administration Rules: What Foreign Employers Must Prepare For

  • On 31 July 2026 the State Council published the Regulations on Exit-Entry Administration (State Council Order No. 841), effective 15 September 2026, a 19-article set of rules supplementing the Exit-Entry Administration Law.
    2026年7月31日，国务院公布《国务院关于出境入境管理的规定》（国务院令第841号），自2026年9月15日起施行，共19条，是对《出境入境管理法》的补充配套规定。
  • The Regulations require that the stated purpose of any exit-entry, stay or residence application be genuine and lawful; immigration authorities may refuse to issue documents or deny entry where false materials or false statements are provided.
    《规定》要求出境入境、停留居留的申请事由必须真实、合法；提供虚假材料、作出虚假陈述的，移民管理机构、签证机关有权不予签发出入境证件或不准其出境、入境。
  • A filing (recordal) system is introduced for exit-entry intermediary agencies: agencies must file with the local immigration authority within 15 days of establishment, and existing agencies within 90 days of the Regulations taking effect.
    《规定》对出境入境中介服务机构实行备案管理：机构应自设立之日起15日内向所在地移民管理机构备案；《规定》施行前已从事中介服务的机构，应在施行之日起90日内办理备案。
  • Overseas enterprises and institutions may not provide exit-entry intermediary services in China; lawfully established foreign-invested and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan-invested entities in China may.
    境外企业、机构不得在中国境内提供出境入境中介服务；在中国境内依法设立的外资和港澳台资企业、机构可以依法从事出境入境中介服务。
  • The rules add clear grounds for barring entry of foreigners who submit false materials, make false statements, or were punished for border-control offences, and strengthen anti-sanction and counter-intervention legal linkage.
    《规定》明确外国人在境外申请中国签证或在口岸申请入境时提供虚假材料、虚假陈述，或因妨害国（边）境管理受到刑事处罚的，依法不准其入境，并强化反制裁、反干预的法律衔接。
  • For foreign-invested enterprises, the key shift is towards verified, substantive compliance: HR, legal and business teams should jointly verify the purpose, position and itinerary behind visa applications instead of delegating everything to agents.
    对外资企业而言，关键变化在于转向核验式、实质性合规：人力资源、法务与业务部门应共同核实签证申请背后的事由、岗位与行程，而非将一切交给代理机构。
  • The Regulations also protect commercial secrets, personal privacy and personal information handled by agencies and authorities, giving foreign companies clearer legal safeguards for employee data.
    《规定》同时保护主管部门及中介机构处理过程中的商业秘密、个人隐私与个人信息，为外资企业员工数据提供了更清晰的法律保障。

China’s 2026 Exit-Entry Administration Rules: What Foreign Employers Must Prepare For | 中国2026年出境入境管理新规：外资雇主必须准备什么

Why this matters now

On 31 July 2026, the State Council published the Regulations on Exit-Entry Administration (State Council Order No. 841), a compact 19-article regulation that takes effect on 15 September 2026. It sits under the Exit-Entry Administration Law of 2013 and responds to a specific set of problems identified by the authorities: rising safety risks for Chinese citizens travelling abroad, foreign applicants submitting false materials, and a murky intermediary-services sector. The timing is significant — China’s immigration authorities processed 369 million border crossings in the first half of 2026, up 10.8% year on year, an all-time high. For foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs), the regulation matters because it reshapes how visas and residence permits are verified, how intermediaries are regulated, and what employers must do to keep expatriate mobility compliant.

What the new rules change

The Regulations make three adjustments that matter to foreign employers. First, purpose verification is tightened: the stated purpose of an application for entry, stay or residence must be genuine and lawful, and applicants must cooperate when immigration authorities or visa offices verify identity and purpose. Individuals and entities that issue invitation letters or other supporting materials bear responsibility for their authenticity. This is a direct signal that “invitation letter” shortcuts and decorative job descriptions will no longer survive scrutiny. Second, a filing system is created for exit-entry intermediary agencies. Agencies must file with the local immigration authority within 15 days of establishment; those already operating must file within 90 days of the regulation taking effect. Third, the rules enlarge the reasons for denying entry to foreigners — covering false materials, false statements, and prior criminal punishment for obstructing border control — and explicitly strengthen the legal basis for counter-sanctions and counter-interference, giving Chinese authorities tools that can in principle affect individuals connected to foreign restrictive measures.

What this means for intermediary management

The intermediary filing regime is new and directly relevant to companies using visa agents. Under the rules, overseas enterprises and institutions may not provide exit-entry intermediary services in China, while lawfully established foreign-invested and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan-invested entities may. Intermediaries must meet conditions including staff with relevant professional knowledge, premises and funding; they may not publish false information, engage in exaggerated or misleading promotion, provide or assist in providing false materials, or help others improperly obtain visas, stay/residence documents or passports. Penalties include fines of RMB 20,000 to 50,000, suspension of operations and revocation of licences, with responsible individuals pursued. For FIEs, this means due diligence on your agent: confirm it is a licensed domestic entity, verify its filing, and require it to refuse obviously false applications.

Practical steps for foreign employers

  1. Jointly verify application substance. For every work visa, residence permit or short-term business visit, have HR, legal and the hiring department confirm the genuine purpose, position, dates and itinerary before submission; keep supporting evidence on file.
  2. Audit your invitation process. If your entity issues invitation letters, standardise who can sign them, what documents must back them, and how authenticity is checked.
  3. Re-check your visa agent. Confirm the intermediary is a lawfully established domestic entity (including FIE/HK-Macao-Taiwan-invested where applicable), has filed under the new rules, and will refuse false-material requests.
  4. Plan for longer lead times. Because material review is stricter, expect longer processing windows for visas and permits; build buffer into travel and onboarding schedules.
  5. Prepare for the September 2026 transition. Existing intermediary relationships should be re-documented by the 90-day filing deadline; update HR policies and employee handbooks for the new authenticity requirements.
  6. Protect employee data. Review how visa application data flows through your agent and intermediaries, and confirm confidentiality measures align with the regulation’s protections for personal privacy and information.

Risks and compliance notes

The regulation’s emphasis on authenticity means the biggest risk is the “rubber-stamp” application: an invitation letter that does not match a real job, a position title inflated for visa purposes, or a declared itinerary that no one intends to follow. These now carry refusal and, for intermediaries, penalty consequences. Companies should also note the counter-sanctions linkage — entities or individuals connected to foreign restrictive measures against China may face entry bars, so global mobility planning should account for geopolitical exposure. Finally, the 24-hour lodging registration duty, visa-free transit rules and this regulation work together; an employer that treats them as separate workstreams is more likely to miss a deadline than one that coordinates immigration, HR and legal.

中国2026年出境入境管理新规：外资雇主必须准备什么

为什么当下重要

2026年7月31日，国务院公布《国务院关于出境入境管理的规定》（国务院令第841号），这是一部精炼的19条行政法规，自2026年9月15日起施行。它以2013年《出境入境管理法》为基础，回应主管部门认定的几类具体问题：中国公民出境安全风险上升、少数外国人提交虚假材料、中介服务行业底数不清。时机意义显著——2026年上半年，全国移民管理机构查验出入境人员3.69亿人次，同比上升10.8%，创历史新高。对外资企业而言，这部规定之所以重要，在于它重塑了签证与居留许可的核验方式、中介的监管方式，以及雇主为保持外派人员流动合规必须做的工作。

新规改变了什么

《规定》做出三项对外资雇主有实际影响的调整。第一，事由核验收紧：申请入境、停留居留的事由必须真实、合法，申请人须配合移民管理机构、签证机关核实身份与事由；出具邀请函件或其他申请材料的单位或个人对真实性负责。这是一个直接信号——”邀请函”捷径与装饰性岗位描述将不再经得起审查。第二，对出境入境中介服务机构建立备案制度：机构应自设立之日起15日内向所在地移民管理机构备案；已经从事中介服务的，应在规定施行之日起90日内办理备案。第三，扩大外国人不准入境的情形——覆盖虚假材料、虚假陈述、因妨害国（边）境管理受到刑事处罚——并明确强化反制裁、反干预的法律基础，为相关部门提供了原则上可影响与外国限制性措施相关人员的工具。

对中介管理意味着什么

中介备案制度是全新的，与使用签证代理的企业直接相关。依规，境外企业、机构不得在中国境内提供出境入境中介服务；在中国境内依法设立的外资和港澳台资企业、机构可以依法从事。中介须具备条件，包括具有相关专业知识的工作人员、相适应的场地与资金保障；不得发布虚假信息、夸大或误导宣传、提供或协助提供虚假材料、协助他人违规办理签证、停留居留证件或护照。处罚包括2万元至5万元罚款、责令停业整顿、吊销证照，相关责任人员一并追责。对外资企业而言，这意味着要对代理做尽职调查：确认其为持牌境内实体、核验其备案、并要求其拒绝明显虚假的申请。

外资雇主的操作步骤

  1. 共同核验申请实质。 对每份工作签证、居留许可或短期商务访问，由人力资源、法务与用人部门在提交前共同确认真实事由、岗位、日期与行程，并存档支撑材料。
  2. 审计邀请流程。 如贵实体出具邀请函，规范谁可签署、需要哪些文件支撑、真实性如何核验。
  3. 复核签证代理。 确认中介为依法设立的境内实体（适用时包括外资及港澳台资），已按新规备案，并会拒绝虚假材料请求。
  4. 预留更长周期。 由于材料审查趋严，预计签证与许可办理窗口将拉长；为差旅与入职计划预留缓冲。
  5. 为2026年9月过渡做好准备。 现有中介关系应在90日备案截止日前重新文件化；按新真实性要求更新HR政策与员工手册。
  6. 保护员工数据。 审查签证申请数据在代理与中介间的流转，确认保密措施符合规定对个人隐私与信息的保护。

风险与合规提示

《规定》对”真实性”的强调意味着最大风险是”盖章式”申请：与真实岗位不符的邀请函、为签证目的虚高的职位头衔、或无人打算践行的申报行程。这些现在会导致拒签，并可能对中介产生处罚后果。企业还应注意反制裁联动——与针对中国的外国限制性措施相关的实体或个人可能面临入境限制，全球流动性规划应计入地缘政治敞口。最后，24小时住宿登记义务、过境免签规则与本规定相互配合；一个将三者割裂处理的企业，比一个将移民、HR与法务协同起来的企业更容易错过时限。

Sources

Work Visa / 工作签证

China’s “One Thing” for Foreign Work Permits: Card-Certificate Fusion and Faster Approval

  • China has merged foreign work authorization with social security functions into a single, faster service known as the “One Thing.” 中国已将外国人在华工作的多项审批整合为一项更快捷的”一件事”服务。
  • The foreign work permit is now fused into the social security card (“Juying Card”) and the electronic social security card, ending stand-alone physical permits for new applicants. 外国工作许可证现已融合进社会保障卡（”聚英卡”）和电子社保卡，新办人员不再发放实体工作许可证。
  • A nationwide average processing time for the foreign work permit has been cut to 6 working days. 全国办理外国人来华工作许可平均时长已压减至 6 个工作日。
  • Shanghai offers a unified “three-in-one” application covering work permit, residence permit, and new social insurance registration, completed in 11 working days. 上海提供工作许可、居留许可和新办社保登记”三位一体”统一申请，审批时长缩减至 11 个工作日。
  • The “One Thing” reform is part of the State Council Office’s 2026 first batch of key “efficiently get one thing done” items. “一件事”改革已列入国务院办公厅《”高效办成一件事”2026 年度第一批重点事项清单》。
  • Electronic social security card services now span more than 200 “one-card” scenarios in government, healthcare, transport, and finance. 电子社保卡 App 英文版升级后，已覆盖政务、医疗、交通、金融等 200 多个”一卡通”场景。
  • Sixteen provinces have opened work-permit verification interfaces, and seventeen have passed related assessment inspections. 16 个省（区、市）已开通外国人工作许可查验接口，17 个省（区、市）已通过相关考核检查。

China’s “One Thing” for Foreign Work Permits: Card-Certificate Fusion and Faster Approval | 外国人来华工作”一件事”：证卡融合与提速审批

Overview

In 2024 and 2026, China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) advanced two complementary reforms aimed at foreign professionals: the “One Thing” integrated service for foreigners working in China, and the fusion of the foreign work permit with the social security card — the so-called “card-certificate fusion.” Together, these measures reduce paperwork, shorten waiting times, and turn a formerly fragmented set of approvals into a single, coordinated process.

The legal anchor for card-certificate fusion is the MOHRSS notice on integrating the foreign work permit with the social security card (MOHRSS Document No. 75 of 2024, effective December 1, 2024, with further implementation in 2026). The “One Thing” integration builds on this foundation by consolidating several procedures that used to be handled separately by different agencies.

For employers hiring foreign talent and for the professionals themselves, the practical effect is straightforward: fewer forms, fewer trips, and a clearer timeline.

The “One Thing” Integration

The “One Thing” reform integrates the following procedures into a single service package:

  • Issuance, change, and renewal of the foreigner’s work permit for working in China;
  • Issuance, change, and renewal of the foreigner’s residence permit;
  • Social insurance registration for foreigners working in China;
  • Professional title examination and review for foreigners working in China.

Instead of submitting separate dossiers to separate windows, applicants now prepare one set of materials. Government back offices then conduct parallel, joint approval (“background parallel approval”), so the steps that once ran in sequence now advance together. This is the core design principle of the “One Thing”: one set of materials, one coordinated backend, and a single outcome for the applicant.

The reform’s standing is confirmed at the highest administrative level. The General Office of the State Council issued the 2026 first batch of key items under its “efficiently get one thing done” program, and the foreigner-work “One Thing” is among those listed items. That placement signals both political priority and a mandate for local governments to deliver measurable service improvements.

Card-Certificate Fusion

Card-certificate fusion is the technical and administrative mechanism that loads work-permit information directly onto the social security card — branded as the “Juying Card” (聚英卡) — and onto the electronic social security card. The governing notice is MOHRSS Document No. 75 of 2024, which took effect on December 1, 2024, and is being further rolled out during 2026.

The most visible change concerns the physical permit. For newly issued work permits, the entire process is handled online, and no physical work-permit certificate is issued. The permit exists as data carried by the social security card and its electronic counterpart. For foreigners who already hold a physical work permit, the transition follows a “no change, no exchange” principle (不变不换): existing valid physical certificates remain usable and need not be swapped unless a change or renewal is required.

This design reduces document loss, simplifies verification, and lets a single card serve multiple purposes — identity, work authorization, and social-security access — in everyday life.

Processing Timelines

Measurable speed gains are central to the reform. Nationwide, the average time to process a foreigner’s work permit for working in China has been compressed to 6 working days.

Shanghai demonstrates the more ambitious model. The city offers a unified “three-in-one” application that combines the work permit, the residence permit, and new social-insurance registration into a single submission. Under this model, the combined approval timeline is reduced to 11 working days. The Shanghai case is frequently cited as the template for what integrated, parallel approval can achieve when municipal agencies coordinate closely.

Who Is Eligible

The reforms apply to foreigners who come to China to work, and to the employers that hire them. The integrated service covers the full lifecycle of the work relationship: initial issuance, subsequent changes (such as employer or position changes), and renewal at the end of a valid period. It also reaches the associated residence-permit procedures and the social-insurance registration that accompanies lawful employment, as well as professional-title review for those who need it.

Because the “One Thing” is built around one set of materials and parallel approval, eligibility does not create a new substantive test. Rather, it streamlines how existing requirements are satisfied and evidenced.

Practical Steps for Employers

Employers preparing to hire or renew foreign staff should expect the following pattern:

  1. Consolidate documents early. Because the service runs on one set of materials, gather the work-permit, residence-permit, social-insurance, and (where relevant) professional-title documents together rather than in separate cycles.
  2. Use the online channel for new permits. New work permits are processed entirely online and no physical certificate is issued, so plan systems around the electronic record and the social security card.
  3. Check the local model. Timelines and the exact bundle of procedures differ by locality. Shanghai’s “three-in-one” unified application is the most integrated example; other regions are implementing the “One Thing” at their own pace.
  4. Prepare for verification. With 16 provinces already opening work-permit verification interfaces, counterparties such as banks, hospitals, and transport operators can check status electronically. Keep the electronic social security card current.
  5. Manage transitions for existing staff. Holders of older physical permits keep them under the “no change, no exchange” rule; trigger replacement only when a change or renewal is genuinely needed.

Related Reading

  • MOHRSS Document No. 75 of 2024 on integrating the foreign work permit with the social security card.
  • People’s Daily Online report on the foreigner-work “One Thing” and its role in sharing China’s development opportunities.
  • The National Immigration Administration for residence permits and visas, the other half of the integrated service.

外国人来华工作”一件事”：证卡融合与提速审批

概述

2024 年至 2026 年，人力资源社会保障部推出两项相互配套、面向外国专业人才的重要改革：一是外国人来华工作”一件事”集成服务，二是外国工作许可证与社会保障卡的融合集成，即”证卡融合”。两项改革共同作用，减少了纸质材料、缩短了等候时间，把过去分散在多个部门的审批整合成一套协调统一的办理流程。

证卡融合的制度依据是《人力资源社会保障部关于做好外国人工作许可证与社会保障卡融合集成工作的通知》（人社部发〔2024〕75号），自 2024 年 12 月 1 日起施行，并于 2026 年进一步落地。”一件事”集成则在此基础之上，把过去需分别办理的若干事项归并整合。

对于聘用外国人才的单位和外国专业人士本人而言，实际效果很直接：表单更少、跑动更少、时限更清楚。

“一件事”集成

“一件事”改革将以下事项整合为一项服务包：

  • 外国人来华工作许可的签发、变更、延期；
  • 外国人居留证件的签发、变更、延期；
  • 外国人来华工作社会保险登记；
  • 外国人来华工作职称评审。

申请人不再分别向不同窗口提交不同案卷，而是准备一套材料。政府后台随之开展并联审批，原本串行推进的环节得以同步进行。这正是”一件事”的核心设计原则：一套材料、一个后台、面向申请人一份结果。

改革的地位在最高行政层级得到确认。国务院办公厅印发《”高效办成一件事”2026 年度第一批重点事项清单》，外国人来华工作”一件事”位列其中。这一安排既体现了政策优先级，也对地方政府提出了可量化的服务改善要求。

证卡融合

证卡融合是一项技术与行政机制，将工作许可信息直接加载至社会保障卡（品牌名为”聚英卡”）以及电子社保卡。主管文件为《人力资源社会保障部关于做好外国人工作许可证与社会保障卡融合集成工作的通知》（人社部发〔2024〕75号），自 2024 年 12 月 1 日起施行，并在 2026 年进一步落地。

最直观的变化体现在实体证件上。新办工作许可全程网办，不再发放实体工作许可证。许可以数据形式承载于社会保障卡及其电子凭证。已领取实体工作许可证的外国人，按照”不变不换”原则过渡：现有有效实体证件可继续使用，除非发生变更或延期，否则无需换发。

这一设计降低了证件遗失风险，简化了核验流程，并使一张卡片在日常生活中兼具身份、工作授权与社保功能的多重用途。

办理时限

可量化的提速是改革的重心。全国范围内，办理外国人来华工作许可平均时长已压减至 6 个工作日。

上海展示了更具雄心的模式。该市提供”三位一体”统一申请，将工作许可、居留许可与新办社保登记合并为一次提交。在此模式下，合并审批时长缩减至 11 个工作日。上海案例常被视作集成并联审批的样板，展示出市级部门紧密协同所能达到的效果。

适用对象

改革适用于来华工作的外国人及其聘用单位。”一件事”覆盖劳动关系全周期：首次签发、后续变更（如用人单位或岗位变动）、以及有效期届满时的延期。它还延伸至配套的居留证件事项、随合法就业一并办理的社会保险登记，以及有需要者的职称评审。

由于”一件事”以一套材料和并联审批为基础，集成本身并不创设新的实质准入门槛，而是简化既有要求的满足与证明方式。

用人单位实操步骤

计划聘用或续聘外国员工的用人单位，可预期如下办理节奏：

  1. 尽早整合材料。 由于服务依托一套材料，应将工作许可、居留证件、社保登记以及（如适用）职称评审材料一并收集，而非分周期办理。
  2. 新办许可走线上。 新办工作许可全程网办且不发实体证，系统应围绕电子记录与社保卡进行规划。
  3. 了解本地模式。 各地时限与事项组合存在差异。上海的”三位一体”统一申请是最集成的范例，其他地区正按自身节奏推进”一件事”。
  4. 做好核验准备。 随着 16 个省（区、市）已开通工作许可查验接口，银行、医院、交通运营方等可电子核验状态，应保持电子社保卡为最新。
  5. 管理存量人员过渡。 持旧版实体证件者依”不变不换”规则保留，仅在确有变更或延期需要时再触发换发。

相关阅读

  • 人社部发〔2024〕75号：关于做好外国人工作许可证与社会保障卡融合集成工作的通知。
  • 人民网关于外国人来华工作”一件事”及其共享中国发展机遇作用的报道。
  • 国家移民管理局，负责居留证件与签证——即集成服务的另一半。

Sources

  • https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202412/content_6991296.htm （人力资源社会保障部《关于做好外国人工作许可证与社会保障卡融合集成工作的通知》，人社部发〔2024〕75号）
  • https://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0202/c458474-40657462.html （人民网：外国人来华工作”一件事”让全球英才共享中国发展机遇，2026-02-02）
  • https://www.nia.gov.cn/ （国家移民管理局，外国人居留证件与签证主管部门）