Update Date: December 29, 2025
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Visa and immigration policies are subject to change. Always consult with official immigration authorities or a qualified legal professional for your specific situation.
In the complex landscape of moving to China for work, the temptation to find a quick visa solution is strong.
However, this urgency often leads individuals into the hands of unscrupulous agents whose shortcuts can jeopardize your legal status and future in the country.
Based on our expertise and recent enforcement trends, we outline the most prevalent scams and how to protect yourself.
1. The Hastily Registered “Shell Company” Trap
The Trick: An agent promises to help you establish a company so you can obtain a legal person or investor visa. They often advise against renting a real office to “save costs,” proposing a virtual address instead.
The Reality: This is a significant red flag. Authorities like the Shanghai Exit-Entry Bureau now conduct rigorous, unannounced inspections of businesses registered by foreigners. The requirements for a legitimate company are clear: a genuine leased office with a formal contract, photos of the premises, and a registered Foreign Expert Bureau account linked to that address.
The Risk: If an inspection reveals a non-operational “shell company” with no real office, the visas for all associated personnel (legal person, investors) will be canceled immediately. This leads not only to deportation but also to a black mark on your immigration record, making future legal employment in China nearly impossible.
How to Protect Yourself: If you are genuinely establishing a business, work with a licensed legal or accounting firm. Insist on a real office lease. Understand that running a legitimate company involves tax filings, financial audits, and actual business operations—not just a visa facade.
2. The “Easier City” Work Permit Scheme
The Trick: An agent suggests applying for your work permit in a different city than where you will actually be employed, claiming the process is “easier” or has “looser requirements” there.
The Reality: Chinese work permits and residence permits are strictly tied to your city of employment. A work permit issued in City A does not legally allow you to work for an employer based in City B.
The Risk: Working outside the jurisdiction of your issued work permit is classified as illegal employment. Consequences for both the employee and the employing company are severe, including large fines, visa cancellation, and potential bans on re-entry. The company sponsoring your permit in the “easier city” is likely complicit in the fraud.
How to Protect Yourself: Your work permit application must be filed by your actual employer through the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau in the city where their commercial license is registered and where you will physically work. Any deviation from this rule is a scam.
3. The Fake “Payroll” Company Scam
The Trick: An agent “places” you with a company that sponsors your work permit and provides all the correct documentation. However, you do not actually perform work for that company. You might be working elsewhere informally, or the agent might simply be selling illegal visa sponsorships.
The Reality: This is a coordinated fraud against China’s immigration system. The “employer” is falsifying labor contracts, tax records, and social security payments to create a paper trail for a non-existent job.
The Risk: This scheme carries the highest level of risk. When discovered (often through tax audits or reported disputes), it results in criminal penalties for all parties. You face deportation and a long-term entry ban. The company and its legal representative face massive fines, loss of business licenses, and potential criminal charges.
How to Protect Yourself: You must have a genuine, verifiable employment relationship with your sponsor. You should receive a formal contract, pay mandatory taxes and social security, and perform actual work at the company’s location. Be wary of agents who offer to “handle everything” with an employer you never meet or work for.
How to Verify a Legitimate Visa Agent or Consultant
- Check Licenses: Legitimate consulting firms in China hold a valid Business License that includes “consulting” as a scope of business. Ask to see it.
- Avoid Guarantees: No honest agent can guarantee a 100% success rate. The process has legal requirements that must be met by you and the employer.
- Demand Transparency: A good agent will educate you on the process, explain the required documents from YOUR side (degrees, background check, etc.), and make it clear that the employer has specific obligations.
- Know the Fees: Be suspicious of fees that are significantly lower than the market rate (they are cutting corners) or exorbitantly high (they are exploiting your desperation). Get a clear, itemized contract.
- Use Official Sources: Cross-check all advice with official channels. The website of China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) provides official policy outlines.
Final Thoughts
The consequences of using an illegal visa agent extend far beyond losing money.
They can destroy your chance at a legitimate career in China and violate your legal status.
Always prioritize a lawful and transparent process, even if it takes more time or requires more documentation.
If an offer sounds too good to be true—like getting a visa without a real job or company—it is almost certainly a scam. Protect your future by doing thorough due diligence before engaging any visa service.
For more information on navigating professional life in China, read our guide on How to Identify a Scam Recruiter.
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