1. Services Accessible with Just a Passport (Short-Term/Visitors)

For tourists or business travelers on a standard M, L, or Q visa, a valid passport is sufficient for most daily and essential services.

• Accommodation & Check-in: You can stay in any hotel licensed to receive foreign guests. For private stays, you must register your residence at the local police station (Temporary Residence Registration) within 24 hours.

• SIM Card Activation: You can visit major carriers (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) to purchase and activate a local 4G/5G SIM card.

• Basic Banking: Some banks (like Bank of China or ICBC) allow foreigners to open basic RMB savings accounts with just a passport, though policies vary by branch.

• Mobile Payments: You can link international cards (Visa/Mastercard) to Alipay and WeChat Pay using your passport for identity verification.

• Travel & Transportation: You can purchase train tickets (via 12306) and domestic flight tickets using your passport number.

• Medical Care: International wings of hospitals and private clinics accept passports for registration and treatment.

2. Services Requiring a Foreigner’s Residence Permit (Long-Term/Expats)

A Residence Permit (the sticker in your passport, not just the visa) is required for activities that imply a long-term connection to China.

• Employment & Social Security: You cannot legally work or contribute to the Chinese Social Security/Pension system without a valid Work-type Residence Permit.

• Real Estate Purchase: Generally, foreigners must have lived in China for at least one year on a valid residence permit before they are eligible to purchase one residential property for personal use.

• Vehicle Purchase & Driver’s License: While you can take the driving test with a passport, registering a vehicle in your name often requires a residence permit (especially in cities with license plate quotas like Beijing/Shanghai).

• Long-Term Financing & Mortgages: Most Chinese banks will only consider mortgage applications from foreign nationals who hold a residence permit and can prove local income/tax payments for at least 6–12 months.

• Education Enrollment: Enrolling children in public schools or most accredited international schools requires the parent to hold a valid residence permit.

• Customs Exemptions: Importing "personal effects" (household goods) from overseas duty-free usually requires a long-term residence permit (valid for 1 year or more).

Comparison Summary Table

Strategic Advice fromwww.hirelawfirm.cn

As of late 2025, the boundary between "visiting" and "residing" is strictly monitored by the National Immigration Administration (NIA).

1. The "One-Year" Rule: If your goal is asset allocation (like buying property), the clock only starts ticking once you have your Residence Permit. A 10-year multi-entry tourist visa does not count toward the residency requirement.

2. Tax Residency: Once you hold a residence permit and stay in China for more than 183 days in a calendar year, you may become a China Tax Resident, making your global income subject to Chinese Individual Income Tax (IIT).

3. Bank Account Upgrades: If you transition from a tourist visa to a residence permit, remember to update your bank records. Failure to do so may lead to your account being frozen due to "expired identification documents."

Are you planning to transition from a visitor to a long-term resident? At www.hirelawfirm.cn, we provide comprehensive compliance checks to ensure your visa status, tax filings, and property rights are fully protected under the latest 2026 regulations.

o help you manage your transition to China smoothly, here is a 30-Day Expat Compliance Calendar for 2025-2026. This checklist ensures you meet all legal requirements from the moment you land.

The 30-Day China Expat Compliance Calendar (2025/2026)

"From Landing to Legal Residency"

3 Pro-Tips for 2026 Compliance

1. The "183-Day" Tax Threshold

China’s tax law for 2026 follows the 183-day rule.

• If you reside in China for 183 days or more in a calendar year, you are a Tax Resident and must declare your global income.

• HireLawFirm Hint: There is a "6-year rule"—foreigners are generally exempt from tax on non-China-sourced income until they have been tax residents for 6 consecutive years.

2. The "Digital Residency" Update

In 2026, China has shifted most registrations to WeChat/Alipay Mini-programs.

• Ensure your name on your Bank Account, SIM Card, and Passport matches exactly (including spaces). Even a minor discrepancy can prevent you from using high-speed rail or mobile payments.

3. Reporting "Changes" within 10 Days

Under the 2025-2026 Exit-Entry rules, if you move to a new apartment or get a new passport, you must update your Residence Permit and Police Registration within 10 days. Failure to do so can lead to fines of up to 2,000 RMB and may affect your future visa renewals.

Why Consultwww.hirelawfirm.cn?

The first 30 days are when most administrative mistakes happen—mistakes that can lead to "Exit Bans" or "Illegal Residency" marks. Our team at HireLawFirm.com provides:

• Concierge Compliance: We handle the police and PSB filings so you can focus on your work.

• Tax Optimization: Professional advice on how to legally utilize the "6-year rule" for your global assets.

• Document Authentication: Fast-tracking the notarization and legalization of your home-country documents (degree, criminal record) for Chinese authorities.

"In China, compliance isn't just a box to tick—it's your license to thrive."

Would you like me to create a "Pre-Arrival Document Checklist" so you don't leave any critical papers behind in your home country? Visit us at www.hirelawfirm.cn.