Residence permit within 30 days of entry: Article 30 and the five permit types

2026-10-11

If your visa says you must apply for a residence permit after entry, Law, Article 30 requires you to apply within 30 days from your date of entry. Regulations, Article 15 lists the five residence permit types.

If your visa says you must apply for a residence permit after entry, Law, Article 30, paragraph 1 requires you to apply within 30 days from your date of entry. You apply to the exit/entry administration of the public security organ in your proposed place of residence in China. Regulations, Article 15 divides residence permits into five types: work, study, journalists, reunion and personal matters.

What Law, Article 30 says

Paragraph 1 reads in full: "Where visas held by foreigners specify that foreigners need to apply for residence permits after entry, such foreigners shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits."

Paragraph 2 says that applicants submit their passports or other international travel documents and the relevant information on the specific application matters. Applicants also provide biometric identification information such as fingerprints. The exit/entry administrations examine the application and make a decision on it. Based on the purpose of residence, they issue the appropriate types of foreigners' residence permits with the duration.

Paragraph 3 prints two validity ranges:

Permit type in Article 30, paragraph 3	Validity range printed in the article
Work-type residence permit	"90 days at the minimum and five years at the maximum"
Non-work-type residence permit	"180 days at the minimum and five years at the maximum"

The five permit types (Regulations, Article 15)

Regulations, Article 15 lists the types in this order:

No.	Permit type	Issued to (Article 15 wording)
(1)	Residence permit for work	Persons who work in China
(2)	Residence permit for study	Persons who pursue long-term studies in China
(3)	Residence permit for journalists	Resident foreign journalists of permanent offices of foreign news agencies in China
(4)	Residence permit for reunion	Family members of Chinese citizens and family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China who need to reside in China for family reunion, and persons who need to reside in China for fosterage or other purposes
(5)	Residence permit for personal matters	Spouses, parents, children under the age of 18 or parents-in-law of foreigners residing in China for work, study or other purposes, who apply for long-term visit to China, and persons who need to reside in China for other personal matters

Documents to submit (Regulations, Article 16)

Regulations, Article 16 says that a foreigner applying for a residence permit shall submit the following:

his or her passport or other international travel documents;
qualified photos; and
material relating to the purpose of application.

The applicant goes through the relevant formalities in person with the exit/entry administration authority of the public security organ of the local people's government at or above the county level in the proposed place of residence. The applicant also provides biometric identification information such as fingerprints.

Article 16 then gives one line for each permit type:

(1) Work: the applicant submits "such certification documents as a work permit". For a person of high talent who is needed, or a specialist who is urgently needed, by the State, the applicant submits relevant certification documents in accordance with relevant provisions.

(2) Study: the applicant submits, in accordance with relevant provisions, "such certification documents as a letter indicating the duration of study provided by the admission institution".

(3) Journalists: the applicant submits "the letter provided and the Press Card issued by the competent department".

(4) Reunion: the applicant submits proof of family relationship and certification documents relating to the purpose of application. If the applicant needs to reside in China for fosterage or other purposes, the applicant also submits "such certification documents as a power of attorney".

(5) Personal matters: for a long-term visit, the applicant submits, as required, "such certification documents as proof of kinship and the residence permit of the foreigner to be visited". To apply for entry to deal with personal matters, the applicant submits the documents certifying the need to reside in China.

Health certificate

Regulations, Article 16, paragraph 2 reads: "When applying for a residence permit valid for more than 1 year, a foreigner shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, submit his or her health certificate. A health certificate is valid for six months beginning from the date of issue."

The NIA's Chinese service guide on residence permits, section (二) on documents for applying for a residence permit, uses a different threshold. The English in this section is this site's translation of that Chinese guide. The guide says a foreigner applying for a residence permit valid for one year or more shall submit a physical health certificate. The certificate must be issued by the local health quarantine department or by a health and medical department at county level or above. It must confirm that the applicant does not have a serious mental disorder, infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, or other infectious disease that may cause major harm to public health.

The two texts word the threshold differently. Regulations, Article 16 says "valid for more than 1 year". The Chinese guide says "valid for one year or more".

The time limit on your visa (Regulations, Article 9)

Regulations, Article 9 says: "Where the applicant needs to obtain a residence permit after entry, the visa authority shall specify on the visa the time limit for applying for such permit after entry."

Where to apply

Law, Article 30, paragraph 1 names the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence.

The Chinese service guide, section 三 on accepting offices, is translated here by this site. It says that the National Immigration Administration entrusts the exit/entry administrations of public security organs at prefecture-level city level or above, including districts and counties under municipalities directly under the central government, to accept applications for foreigners' residence permits. It adds that, after a request from the provincial-level exit/entry administration and the approval of the National Immigration Administration, county-level exit/entry administrations may accept applications under that entrustment.

Steps after arrival

Follow these steps in order. Each step cites the provision it comes from.

Find the time limit written on your visa (Regulations, Article 9).
Apply within 30 days from your date of entry (Law, Article 30, paragraph 1).
Go in person to the exit/entry administration of the public security organ in your proposed place of residence (Regulations, Article 16).
Submit your passport or other international travel documents (Law, Article 30, paragraph 2; Regulations, Article 16).
Submit qualified photos (Regulations, Article 16).
Submit material relating to the purpose of your application (Regulations, Article 16).
Provide biometric identification information such as fingerprints (Law, Article 30, paragraph 2; Regulations, Article 16).

Sources

Checked 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary, is not published by or affiliated with the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any embassy, consulate or visa application service centre, and is not legal or immigration advice. The official text and the current notice of the office handling your case prevail if they differ.