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 … China’s Regional Visa-Free Entry Schemes in 2026: Hainan, Cruise Ports, ASEAN Tour Groups and the HK/Macao RouteRead more
Living Guide
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 … China’s “One Thing” for Foreign Work Permits: Card-Certificate Fusion and Faster ApprovalRead more
China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the Foreign Work-Visa System: A Guide for Employers
The 15th Five-Year Plan for human resources and social security elevates foreign-talent management, linking work permits to a high-skilled migration system and a multi-department coordination mechanism.人力资源和社会保障事业”十五五”规划提升了外国人才管理地位，将工作许可与高技术人才移民制度衔接，并建立多部门联动协调机制。 China’s work-permit system classifies foreign professionals into Category A (high-end), B (professional) and C … China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the Foreign Work-Visa System: A Guide for EmployersRead more
Driving in China as a Foreigner: obtaining a Chinese driver’s license and the temporary driving permit
A foreign (overseas) driver’s license is not directly valid for driving on the Chinese mainland — you must obtain a PRC motor vehicle driving license (机动车驾驶证) or a temporary driving permit before getting behind the wheel. 境外核发的机动车驾驶证不能在中国大陆直接驾车——你必须在开车前申领中华人民共和国机动车驾驶证或临时机动车驾驶许可。 Most expatriates take … Driving in China as a Foreigner: obtaining a Chinese driver’s license and the temporary driving permitRead more
Expat Medical Insurance and Healthcare in China: A Practical 2026 Guide
Foreign employees legally employed in China must enroll in statutory employee basic medical insurance, with premiums shared by the employer and the individual. 在中国境内合法就业的外籍职工必须参加法定职工基本医疗保险，由用人单位和本人共同缴费。 Employers must complete social insurance registration for foreign staff within 30 days from the date the … Expat Medical Insurance and Healthcare in China: A Practical 2026 GuideRead more
Paying for Everything in China: A Practical Guide for Foreign Visitors and Residents
China is a mobile-first payment economy — mobile-payment penetration is around 86%, the highest in the world — so cash and foreign cards, while accepted, are no longer the default. 中国是”移动支付优先”的社会——移动支付普及率约 86%，居全球第一——因此现金和境外银行卡虽被接受，却已不再是默认选项。 The national blueprint is the State Council General … Paying for Everything in China: A Practical Guide for Foreign Visitors and ResidentsRead more
Healthcare Access & Medical Insurance for Expatriates in China
Foreigners legally employed in China must join basic social insurance — including employee basic medical insurance (职工基本医疗保险) — and the employer must register them within 30 days of the work permit. 在中国境内合法就业的外国人必须参加基本社会保险（含职工基本医疗保险），用人单位须自办理就业证件之日起 30 日内为其办理社会保险登记。 Unemployed holders of the Foreign Permanent … Healthcare Access & Medical Insurance for Expatriates in ChinaRead more
Living in China: a starter guide for expatriates
Your lawful stay hinges on the right visa and residence permit — enter on the correct catgory (typically Z for work) and complete the 24/48-hour temporary lodging registration after each move. 合法停留取决于正确的签证与居留许可——按需持对应类别入境（工作通常持 Z 字签证），每次搬家后完成 24/48 小时临时住宿登记。 Mobile payment (WeChat Pay … Living in China: a starter guide for expatriatesRead more
Education for Expatriate Children and International Schools in China: A 2026 Guide
Foreign personnel in China may send their children to *schools for children of foreign personnel* — separate institutions that use a foreign curriculum and admit only foreign, HK/Macau/Taiwan, and certain overseas-Chinese children; they do not enrol mainland Chinese citizens. 在华外籍人员可将子女送入”外籍人员子女学校”——采用外国课程、仅招收外籍及港澳特区、台湾地区居民子女与特定海外中国公民子女，不招收内地中国公民。 … Education for Expatriate Children and International Schools in China: A 2026 GuideRead more