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New China Visa Policies Updated in October 2025

1. Shanghai – In Songjiang District, Reverification of Degree Documents Required for Intercity Work Visa Transfers

Recently, in Songjiang District of Shanghai, applicants transferring their work permits from other cities have been asked to re-submit their original academic degree certificates for verification.

This requirement applies even to those who have previously completed degree authentication or archival in other cities. Local authorities may still mandate on-site document checks when changing cities.

📌 Recommendations:

  • Prepare original degree certificates and authenticated copies in advance.
  • If originals are unavailable, contact your alma mater or a third-party notary for equivalent documentation to avoid delays.

This reflects heightened scrutiny of academic credentials in parts of Shanghai, especially for first-time workers in the city or those with degrees from non-standard institutions.

2. Chengdu – New Work Visa Applications Face Stricter Requirements on Degree Relevance

Chengdu has significantly tightened its approval standards for new work permit applications. Authorities now require:

  • A direct correlation between the applicant’s degree major and the job position.
  • A minimum of two years of relevant work experience.
  • Verifiable employment history (e.g., through social insurance records or official reference letters). Inadequate documentation may lead to outright rejection.

3. Guangzhou – Stricter Scrutiny for Work Visa Extensions at Small Enterprises

In Guangzhou, the local foreign expert bureau has begun requiring additional operational documentation from small or newly established businesses applying for work visa extensions. These may include:

  • Company bank transaction records,
  • Office lease agreements,
  • Social insurance contributions for employees,
  • Tax filings.

📌 Important Reminder:

For small-scale taxpayers or recently founded companies, the completeness of operational documentation is critical to visa renewal success. Company representatives and foreign employees should prepare all supporting materials in advance to prevent rejection or returned applications.

4. Invalidity of Marriage Certificates Affects Permanent Residency Applications

Some Chinese expatriates have recently seen their family reunification-based permanent residency applications denied. The primary reason is that while the applicants have obtained foreign citizenship, their marriage certificates were registered using their Chinese ID cards.

Under current regulations, such certificates are deemed invalid and cannot serve as proof of marriage for residency applications.

5.  China Implements Visa-Free Policy for Russian Citizens to Boost Bilateral Relations

Key Points of the New Visa-Free Policy:

Eligible Group: Russian citizens holding ordinary passports, with no restrictions on domicile or occupation.

Duration of Stay: Maximum of 30 days per visit, not exceeding 90 days in any six-month period.

Purpose of Visit: Applies to tourism, business meetings, visiting family or friends, and attending exhibitions. Work-related travel is excluded.

Validity: Pilot implementation period is one year, valid until September 14, 2026. Post-trial adjustments may follow based on effectiveness.

 

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