Where Are Foreigners’ China Travel and Residence Documents Issued?
For foreigners coming to China, understanding where their travel and residence documents are issued requires a shift in perspective. China does not issue passports to foreign nationals. Instead, as the host country, China determines whether a foreign national may enter its territory and, after arrival, what legal-status documents the person may obtain.
From a foreign national’s perspective, the key questions are therefore: What documents am I eligible to obtain while in China, and which authorities issue them?
Stage 1: Entry Clearance Obtained Abroad — Visas Issued by Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions
To enter China, foreign nationals normally apply for a Chinese visa outside China. Under the Exit-Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, foreigners seeking to enter China are generally required to apply for visas through Chinese diplomatic and consular missions abroad or other overseas visa-issuing authorities authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Each visa indicates its place of issuance, such as “Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in New York” or “Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in London.” This information identifies the authority that issued the visa and the location where the entry authorization was granted.
Visa categories correspond to the applicant’s intended purpose of travel. Ordinary visas include the L visa for tourism, the Z visa for employment, and the X visa for study, among others.
Notably, the new K visa took effect on October 1, 2025. It is designed for young foreign science and technology professionals seeking to enter China. According to official interpretations, the K visa targets young STEM professionals who hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a recognized domestic or overseas university or research institution, or who have engaged in teaching or research at such institutions.
Compared with the existing categories of ordinary visas, the K visa offers greater flexibility in terms of the number of entries, validity period, and permitted length of stay. It does not require applicants to have a pre-arranged Chinese employer or sponsoring organization and features streamlined application procedures. In practical terms, eligible young STEM professionals may apply directly for a K visa through a Chinese diplomatic or consular mission abroad without first securing a job offer in China.
Stage 2: Status Adjustment After Arrival — Residence Permits Issued by Public-Security Exit-Entry Authorities
Obtaining a visa and entering China is only the first step. If you intend to remain in China beyond the period of stay authorized by your visa—for example, for employment, long-term study, or family reunification—you generally need to apply for a residence permit after entering China.
Residence permits are issued by the Exit-Entry Administration Departments of local public-security organs and constitute the primary legal-status document for foreign nationals residing in China.
According to regulations issued by the National Immigration Administration, applicants for residence permits generally need to complete the application process in person at the relevant local Exit-Entry Administration Department. Residence permits are divided into several main categories according to the purpose of residence:
- Work-purpose residence permits: Issued to foreign nationals employed in China. Applicants generally need to provide employment-related authorization documents issued by the relevant human-resources-and-social-security authorities or competent foreign-expert authorities, together with supporting documentation from their Chinese employer.
- Study-purpose residence permits: Issued to foreign nationals undertaking long-term study in China.
- Family-reunion residence permits: Issued to family members of Chinese citizens and of foreign nationals who hold Chinese permanent-residence status and who need to reside in China for family-reunification purposes.
- Private-affairs residence permits: Issued to spouses, parents, children under 18, parents-in-law, and other relatives who come to China for extended family visits when the family member they are visiting already holds Chinese residence status for employment, study, or another approved purpose.
The name of the issuing authority printed on residence permits has changed as China’s immigration administration system has evolved. Residence permits issued before June 1, 2019, bear the title “Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security,” while those issued thereafter identify the “National Immigration Administration of the People’s Republic of China.” Both versions remain valid for the periods specified on the respective documents.
Work-purpose residence permits are generally valid for no more than two years. Applicants under the age of 18 or aged 60 and above may, under applicable circumstances, be granted residence permits valid for up to three years.
One of the major advantages of holding a valid residence permit is that the holder can generally leave and re-enter China without obtaining a separate visa for each trip.
Stage 3: Long-Term Settlement — Foreign Permanent Resident Identity Card
For foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in China, the principal identity document is the Foreign Permanent Resident Identity Card. It is issued by the National Immigration Administration to foreign nationals whose applications for permanent residence in China have been approved.
An updated version of the card was officially introduced on December 1, 2023. It incorporates enhanced security and anti-counterfeiting features and is commonly known as the “Five-Star Card” because of the five-star design incorporated into the new card.
One of its most important features is that it serves as an independent identity document. Holders generally do not need to present their foreign passport when verifying their identity for purposes such as hotel check-in, purchasing transportation tickets, or handling banking, education, medical, transportation, and social-security matters. In many situations, it can be used in a manner similar to the Chinese national identity card.
The updated card uses an 18-digit unique lifelong identification number, replacing the previous 15-digit format. Relevant identification and verification systems used by hotels, railways, civil-aviation carriers, banks, and online service platforms have also been upgraded to support the new identification format.
Special Case: Port-of-Entry Visas Issued by Designated Port Visa Authorities
In certain circumstances—such as urgent business matters, emergency repairs, or humanitarian situations—foreign nationals may be unable to apply for a visa in advance through a Chinese diplomatic or consular mission abroad. In such cases, designated port visa authorities at approved ports of entry may issue visas in accordance with applicable regulations.
These authorities are designated by the State Council and operate under the relevant arrangements of the Ministry of Public Security. Port-of-entry visas may generally be issued for a single entry, with a maximum authorized stay of 30 days. Holders must enter China through the port at which the visa was issued.
Group tourist visas organized through travel agencies may also be processed through designated port visa authorities where permitted.
Summary Table: Identity and Immigration Documents for Foreign Nationals in China
| Document Type | Issuing Authority | Place of Issue | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Visa | Chinese diplomatic and consular missions abroad / other authorized overseas visa-issuing authorities | Outside China | Authorize entry into China |
| Port-of-Entry Visa | Designated port visa authorities under the relevant public-security authorities | Designated Chinese ports of entry | Urgent or special entry; stay of up to 30 days |
| Residence Permit | Exit-Entry Administration Departments of public-security organs | Within China; applicants generally process the application in person | Long-term residence; permits exit and re-entry without a separate visa |
| Foreign Permanent Resident Identity Card | National Immigration Administration of China | Within China | Permanent residence and independent identity verification |
In Summary
For foreign nationals, the different documents serve different purposes and are issued by different Chinese authorities.
- Chinese visas are generally issued outside China by Chinese diplomatic and consular missions or other authorized overseas visa-issuing authorities.
- Port-of-entry visas may be issued at designated Chinese ports in specific circumstances when advance visa application is impracticable.
- Residence permits are issued within China by the Exit-Entry Administration Departments of public-security organs and allow eligible foreign nationals to remain in China for longer periods in accordance with their approved purposes of residence.
- Foreign Permanent Resident Identity Cards are issued by the National Immigration Administration to foreign nationals who have been granted permanent residence in China.
Your passport remains a document issued by your own country or nationality authority. China does not issue that passport. Instead, Chinese authorities issue the visas, residence permits, and permanent-residence identity documents that establish and regulate your legal status while you are in China.
