For All Entrants: Visa Stays, Residence Extensions, and the Risks of Unlawful Residence

A foreign national's stay or residence in China must correspond to the approved purpose and duration. While traveling, conducting business, studying, or working, you must not engage in activities inconsistent with your visa or residence purpose. If your visa states that you must obtain a residence permit after entry, you must apply within 30 days of entry. Keeping the visa itself safe is not enough if you overlook the subsequent residence formalities.

Each type of extension has its own advance deadline

To extend the duration of stay specified on a visa, apply at least seven days before that duration expires. To extend a residence permit, apply at least 30 days before it expires. If any registered information on a residence permit changes, apply to amend it within 10 days of the change. Approval is not automatic; after submitting an application, continue to monitor the acceptance receipt and the result.

Delay after overstaying increases the risk

Unlawful residence may result in a warning. In serious cases, the penalty may be a fine of RMB 500 for each day of unlawful residence, capped at RMB 10,000, or detention for between 5 and 15 days. If you discover that a document has been lost, a date was misunderstood, or your purpose has changed, explain the situation to the exit-entry authority as soon as possible rather than remaining according to your original plan.

The principal obligations and legal consequences appear in the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China. Visa and residence categories and purposes are set out in the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners. Individual cases are subject to the determination of the competent authority.