China has entered the new year with a new wave of immigration and visa policy adjustments that affect foreign professionals, investors, employers, and ethnic Chinese applicants.
These updates—spanning Shanghai, Beijing, Xiamen, and Hangzhou—reflect China’s ongoing efforts to refine its talent‑entry system, tighten compliance, and streamline high‑skilled immigration pathways.
This comprehensive guide breaks down every major update, explains what it means for applicants, and provides practical steps to stay compliant.
Whether you are applying for Permanent Residency (PR), renewing a passport, transferring a work permit, or hiring foreign staff, these changes matter.
January 2026 China Visa Policy Updates: Overview
China’s immigration authorities continue to adjust policies at the city level, meaning requirements can vary widely depending on where you live or work.
January’s updates fall into two major categories:
- Permanent Residency (PR) policy changes
- Work Visa (Z‑visa) and Work Permit changes
This guide organizes each policy by city and category, with explanations, tables, and actionable insights.
Permanent Residency (PR) Policy Updates
Shanghai: PR Processing Time Extended to 9–12 Months
Shanghai has extended the processing timeline for Permanent Residency applications.
Previously, many applicants received results within 6–9 months. Now, the issuance period may stretch to 9–12 months.
What This Means for Applicants
- Longer planning cycles
- No fast‑track option
- Document validity must be monitored
Recommended Actions
- Submit applications early
- Maintain stable employment and tax records
- Keep digital and physical copies of all submitted documents
Shanghai: Passport Requirements for Ethnic Chinese PR Applicants
Ethnic Chinese applicants applying for PR in Shanghai must now provide all previous Chinese private passports, including those issued by Chinese consulates abroad.
If originals are unavailable, applicants must at least submit a photo of the passport’s front page.
Shanghai PR Document Requirements
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Required passports | All previous Chinese private passports, including those issued abroad |
| If originals missing | A clear photo of the passport’s front page must be provided |
| Purpose | Authorities verify identity continuity and nationality history |
| Additional notes | Explanation letter may be needed if a passport is lost |
Xiamen: Stricter Employment‑Based PR Standards
Xiamen continues to enforce strict PR requirements for employment‑based applicants.
To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following:
- Annual income ≥ RMB 900,000
- Individual income tax paid at the 20% rate
- No overdue compliance issues
Xiamen PR Eligibility Standards
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual income | Must be ≥ RMB 900,000, supported by tax records |
| Tax rate | Applicant must have paid individual income tax at the 20% bracket |
| Compliance | No overdue tax, employment, or residency issues |
Work Visa (Z‑Visa) and Work Permit Updates
Shanghai: Age Flexibility for Investment‑Based Work Visas
Shanghai now allows individuals above the legal working age to apply for an investment‑type work visa if:
- They establish a company under their own name
- The visa is applied under the investment category
Age restrictions do not apply in these cases.
Who Benefits
- Retired professionals launching businesses
- Foreign investors seeking long‑term residence
- Entrepreneurs transitioning from employment to self‑owned companies
Shanghai: Work Permit Cancellation for Foreign Legal Representatives
Foreign legal representatives planning to resign and deregister their company must take a crucial step if their work permit includes a salary commitment:
They must screenshot the company’s tax filing records before the corporate tax account is deregistered.
Why This Matters
Once the tax account is closed, authorities cannot verify salary commitments, which may block or delay work permit cancellation.
Recommended Steps
- Capture screenshots of all tax filings
- Save digital and printed copies
- Confirm with your accountant before deregistration
- Submit screenshots during work permit cancellation
Beijing: Passport Renewal Requires Fast Data Synchronization
If your passport number changes due to renewal, Beijing requires you to update your information with:
- Foreign Expert Bureau (FEB)
- Human Resources and Social Security Bureau (HRSSB)
Visa transfer must be completed within 10 calendar days of receiving the new passport.
Beijing Passport Renewal Requirements
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Update passport number | Must be updated with FEB and HRSSB within 10 days |
| Visa transfer | Must be completed immediately after updating records |
| Risk of delay | Missing deadlines may cause visa invalidation or renewal blocks |
Hangzhou: New Requirements for Hiring Foreign Staff in F&B
Restaurants hiring foreign employees must now submit a business operation report including:
- Restaurant location
- Size and capacity
- Customer traffic
- Operational performance
Job descriptions must include:
- Current staffing structure
- Future recruitment plans
Authorities also recommend maintaining a reasonable ratio of local staff.
Hangzhou F&B Hiring Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Business operation report | Must include location, size, customer traffic, and operational performance |
| Job description plan | Must include current staffing structure and future recruitment plans |
| Local staff ratio | Authorities recommend maintaining a reasonable proportion of local employees |
Hangzhou: Category C Work Permits Suspended
Hangzhou is not accepting new applications for Category C work permits.
Who Is Affected
Category C typically includes:
- Entry‑level workers
- Short‑term employees
- Interns
- Foreign graduates who do not meet A/B criteria
Hangzhou Work Permit Category Updates (2‑Column Table)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Category C | Applications currently suspended; no new submissions accepted |
| Category A | Fully online processing in Gongshu District; no in‑person verification required |
Hangzhou: Intra‑City Work Permit Transfers Within 30 Days
For applicants transferring jobs within Hangzhou within 30 days of resignation, the following documents are not required:
- Criminal background check
- Medical exam report
However, the following remain mandatory:
- Academic qualification documents
- Proof of over 2 years’ work experience
Hangzhou Intra‑City Transfer Rules
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Exempt documents | No criminal background check or medical exam required if transfer occurs within 30 days |
| Still required | Academic qualifications and proof of 2+ years of work experience |
Summary of All January 2026 China Visa Policy Updates
| City / Category | Key Policy Update |
|---|---|
| Shanghai – PR | Processing time extended to 9–12 months |
| Shanghai – PR | Ethnic Chinese must submit all previous Chinese passports |
| Xiamen – PR | High income (≥ RMB 900,000) + 20% tax rate + full compliance required |
| Shanghai – Work Visa | Age flexibility allowed for investment‑based visas |
| Shanghai – Work Permit | Tax filing screenshots required before company deregistration |
| Beijing – Work Visa | Passport renewal must be updated with authorities within 10 days |
| Hangzhou – F&B Hiring | Business operation report + staffing plan required |
| Hangzhou – Category C | Applications suspended |
| Hangzhou – Category A | Fully online processing |
| Hangzhou – Transfers | No criminal check or medical exam for transfers within 30 days |
Sources and External Links
- National Immigration Administration (NIA):
https://en.nia.gov.cn - Ministry of Public Security: https://www.mps.gov.cn
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security: https://www.12333.gov.cn/
- Shanghai Exit‑Entry Bureau:
https://crj.police.sh.cn - Beijing Exit‑Entry Bureau:
https://gaj.beijing.gov.cn - Hangzhou Exit‑Entry Bureau:
https://crj.hangzhou.gov.cn
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