ChinaGuide
Foreigner's Work Permit
The permit required to work in China, applied for by the employer before the work visa (Z) and again after you arrive.
EmploymentView guide
Chinese authoritiesImmigration and residenceGuide
Residence permit for foreigners
The procedure to obtain, extend or change a residence permit when you live in China to work, study or join your family.
The form is downloaded and submitted on the authority's website.
What this form is for
- The residence permit replaces the visa for long stays. When your visa states that a residence permit is required (a Z or D visa, for example), you must apply within 30 days of entering China.
- The same procedure is used to extend, change or reissue the permit.
Documents to have ready
- Your valid passport and the Visa/Stay Permit/Residence Permit Application Form with a compliant photo
- Evidence of the purpose: for work, your work permit and a letter from your employer; for study or family, the matching documents
- For a permit of more than one year, a health certificate from an approved institution
Where to send it
At the exit-entry department of the public security bureau where you live. You normally apply in person; originals and copies are required.
Our tips
- Always download the latest version from the official site.
- Keep a copy of what you send, with the date you sent it.
The information on this page is general. If in doubt, the official source prevails.
Related forms
- ChinaGuide
Accommodation registration for foreigners (outside hotels)
The compulsory registration of where you stay when you are not in a hotel in China, now available online.
Immigration and residenceView guide