Visa for moving to China Entry rules, work visa, residence permit and registration at a glance
Are you planning a move to China?
For a long-term stay, a new job, an assignment abroad or the import of your household goods, you need the right residence status – properly aligned with your visa, work permit, registration, customs clearance and moving date.
When Is Visa-Free Entry to China Not Sufficient?
Visa-free entry is intended for short-term stays – not for relocating your place of residence, taking up employment, family reunification, schooling, a rental agreement, opening a bank account or a complete international move.
A visa or residence permit is particularly relevant for:
- Taking up employment in China
- Long-term assignments
- Study or research
- Family reunification
- Stays exceeding 30 days
- Importing household goods, vehicles or pets
- Applying for local documents and registrations
Important: Anyone entering China with a visa who wants to live and work there generally has to apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
Related topics
- Customs regulations China → Learn more
- Moving to China? → All key information
Finding the Right Visa for Your Move to China in 6 Steps
Define the Purpose of Your Stay
Before applying, clarify whether your stay is for work, an assignment, study, family reunification, investment or a temporary project. The visa category must match the actual purpose of your stay.
Choose the Right Visa Category
For a long-term professional stay, the Z visa is usually relevant. This visa is generally used for entry so that the next steps in China – especially the work permit and residence permit – can be completed afterwards.
Involve Your Employer and Prepare the Documents
For a work visa, the Chinese employer plays a central role. For the work permit, required documents usually include proof of qualification, highest academic degree or professional qualification, police clearance certificate, health certificate, employment contract or proof of employment, passport and passport photo.
Apply Before Entering China
German citizens generally have to apply for the required visa before entering China. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, under current Chinese entry regulations, the visa application must be submitted in the applicant’s country of citizenship or habitual residence.
Apply for the Residence Permit After Arrival
Anyone entering China with a visa that requires a residence permit after arrival must apply for it within 30 days at the responsible Exit-Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau.
Synchronise Moving, Customs and Timing
The most common mistake: the container is already on its way, but residence status, local address or registration have not yet been properly clarified. For China, moving logistics should only be finally scheduled once entry, visa, work start, residential address and customs documents can be realistically planned.
Which Visa Types Are Relevant When Moving to China?
Z Visa: Work Visa for China
For many expats, professionals and assigned employees, the Z visa is the key entry route for working in China. It is applied for in connection with a work permit or corresponding preliminary approvals.
Typical requirements:
- Employment contract or proof of employment and invitation or support from the employer in China
- Proof of professional qualification
- Health certificate and police clearance certificate
- Valid passport and passport photo
- If applicable, documents for accompanying family members
For work stays of more than 90 days, the following applies: after entering China, a residence permit for work must be applied for, and employment is carried out within the validity period of the work permit.
Family Visa / Family Reunification
Anyone moving to China to join a spouse, parents, children or other eligible family members requires, depending on the individual case, an appropriate family or visitor visa and, later on, potentially a residence permit.
Key factors include proof of family relationship, accommodation, purpose of stay and the status of the person living in China.
Business Trip vs. Employment
A business trip does not automatically mean a work permit. Meetings, negotiations or trade fair visits are different from operational work, a local employment contract or a longer-term project assignment.
This distinction is critical because having the wrong status can lead to fines, problems when leaving the country or future visa issues.
Visa for Moving to China – Key Rules to Keep in Mind
Passport & Entry: What to Check Before Moving to China
When entering China with a visa, the passport must still be valid for at least six months at the time of entry. For visa-free entry, the travel document must be valid at least for the planned duration of stay. A German ID card or temporary ID card is not sufficient for entry.
Practical recommendation: Check your passport early. If a new passport is required, the entire visa and moving timeline may be delayed.
Registration After Entry: Mandatory Within 24 Hours
All foreign nationals must register with the responsible Public Security Bureau within 24 hours after each entry. For hotel stays, the hotel usually takes care of the registration. Anyone staying in private accommodation must register themselves or together with the host.
Since March 2026, an additional pilot project for online registration has been running for foreign nationals who are not staying in hotels. It was launched in Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing and Sichuan; a nationwide rollout is planned step by step. Registration can be completed there via official NIA channels, the “NIA 12367” app, WeChat mini program or Alipay mini program.
Extending a Visa in China: What Is Realistic?
An extension may be requested under certain conditions from the Exit-Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau – for standard visas at least seven days before the permitted duration of stay expires. However, an extension is not a reliable substitute for the correct residence permit if you are taking up employment or relocating permanently.
For residence permits, the following generally applies: anyone who needs to stay in China beyond the expiry date must apply for an extension within 30 days before the residence permit expires.
Common Mistakes When Applying for a Visa for a Move to China – and How to Avoid Them
Trying to Relocate on a Short-Term Stay
Visa-free entry for up to 30 days may sound convenient, but it is not a setup for a real relocation with a job, apartment, family and household goods.
Confusing the Z Visa with the Residence Permit
The Z visa is usually only the first step. The operational legal status is only established through the subsequent procedures in China – especially the work permit and residence permit.
Underestimating Registration
The 24-hour registration is not a minor formality. Violations can be recorded and may lead to questioning, fines and later entry or visa problems.
Shipping Household Goods Too Early
If the container arrives before the address, import documents, residence status and local delivery have been clarified, delays, storage costs and additional coordination effort may follow.
Obtaining Documents Too Late
Police clearance certificates, health certificates, certified educational documents, employment contracts, passport validity and family documents all require lead time. Starting too late causes delays across the entire project timeline.
How DACHSER & KOLB Supports You With the Visa Setup for Your Move to China
Aligning Visa Timing and Moving Planning
We coordinate entry date, work start, residential address, transport transit time and customs clearance so that your move does not fail because of paperwork.
International Moving Logistics from a Single Source
From the survey and packing to sea freight or air freight and final delivery in China: you receive a clear roadmap instead of isolated solutions without overall coordination.
Interface for HR, Relocation and Family
Especially for assignments abroad, employers, relocation partners, family, school, authorities and logistics providers must work in sync. We bring structure into the process.
Flexible Solutions in Case of Delays
If the visa, work permit or residential address is delayed, storage solutions, part shipments and adjusted transport windows help keep your move manageable.
Visa & Customs: Why Residence Status Matters for Your Household Goods
Your residence status affects the entire moving logistics process. For importing household goods into China, relevant factors include identity, purpose of entry, residence status, packing list, declared values, customs documents and local delivery address. Make sure you check the applicable customs regulations for your move to China in advance.
A tourist short stay is generally not suitable for a complete international household goods move.
The rule is clear: first clarify status and documents, then finalise the container schedule.
Checklist – Important Documents for Your Visa to China
Depending on the purpose of your stay and visa category, you may need the following documents:
- Valid passport & Completed visa application form
- Biometric passport photo
- Employment contract or proof of employment
- Invitation letter or supporting documents from your employer in China
- Proof of professional qualifications & Highest academic degree or professional certificates
- Police clearance certificate & Health certificate
- Proof of accommodation in China
- Travel or relocation schedule
- Marriage certificate and birth certificates, if family members are relocating with you
- Copies of existing visas or residence permits, if applicable
- Documents required for household goods import, such as packing list and customs forms
For a work-related move, the Chinese employer usually plays a key role in preparing and submitting the required documents.
Legal notice
This page provides practical guidance on visas for moving to China. It does not replace legal advice or binding information from the Chinese authorities. The current information provided by Chinese diplomatic missions, the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, the National Immigration Administration, the responsible Public Security Bureaus and the German Federal Foreign Office is legally authoritative.
FAQ – The most frequently asked questions about visas for moving to China
Do German citizens need a visa for China?
For certain short-term stays of up to 30 days, German citizens can currently enter China without a visa. For a long-term move, employment, study or family reunification, an appropriate visa or residence permit is generally required.
Which visa do I need if I want to work in China?
In many cases, the Z visa is the relevant entry route. After arrival, the work permit and residence permit follow. The Chinese employer plays a central role in this process.
Do I have to register after entering China?
Yes. All foreign nationals must register with the responsible Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of entry. For hotel accommodation, the hotel usually handles the registration.
How long does my passport need to be valid?
When entering with a visa, the passport must still be valid for at least six months at the time of entry.
Can I extend my China visa in China?
Under certain conditions, an extension can be requested from the Exit-Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau. For long-term work or residence, however, the correct residence permit is decisive.
When should I plan my move to China?
As soon as the purpose of stay, employer or sponsor, visa route, residential address and required documents are realistically clarified. Transport should not be planned in isolation, but together with visa timing, customs and delivery feasibility.
Why DACHSER & KOLB Is the Right Choice
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Sabrina Klier
Customer Service & Sales - AIR & SEA
