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​New China Visa Policies Updated in November 2025

1. Shenzhen – Shenzhen Limits Foreign Workforce to 30% of Total Staff

Companies based in Shenzhen intending to hire foreign nationals must ensure that the total proportion of foreign employees does not exceed 30% of the company’s overall workforce. This restriction applies to all companies employing expatriates in the region.

2. Guangzhou – Visa Extension Requires Full Staff Social Security Records and Local Employees

Foreign employees working in Guangzhou who wish to extend their work (Z) visa must have their employer submit social security contribution records for all employees.

Furthermore, the employing company must include Chinese nationals among its staff, which is a mandatory requirement for the visa extension to be approved.

3. New Visa Application System Launched in the U.S. for Travel to China

As of September 30, 2025, individuals applying for a Chinese visa in the United States must use the online visa application system. The newly implemented approval process includes the following steps:

  • Online submission of application
  • Online pre-screening
  • Offline passport submission
  • Passport collection

This process differs significantly from the previous system. Foreign nationals planning to travel to China are encouraged to initiate the application process as early as possible to avoid travel disruptions.

4. Overseas Z Visa Applications Now Require a Specific Type of Work Permit Notice

Certain Chinese Visa Application Centers abroad only accept applications for Z (work) visas based on a “Foreign Work Permit Notification for Overseas Application.”

If a foreign national first obtained a domestic work permit notification within China, it cannot be directly used to apply for a Z visa in these countries.

Instead, the domestic notification must be cancelled, and a new overseas work permit notification must be issued before proceeding with the Z visa application abroad.

5.  China Extends Visa-Free Policy for Multiple Countries Until End of 2026

In an effort to continuously facilitate cross-border travel and exchanges, the Chinese government has announced an extension of its unilateral visa-free policy for citizens from selected countries. This extension will remain in effect until 24:00 on December 31, 2026.

Conditions for Visa-Free Entry into China

Holders of ordinary passports from the listed countries may enter China without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days for the purposes of business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, cultural or academic exchanges, or transit. Foreign nationals not meeting these visa-free conditions must still obtain a visa prior to entry.

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