China Inbound Legal Guides · Visa & Immigration
China legal decision desk
Visa & Immigration
Work authorisation is stacked. Employer or city change can collapse a layer even when the passport sticker looks fine.
gates mapped before the next move
VISA & IMMIGRATION
WORK AUTHORISATION · RESIDENCE & STAY · FAMILY & DEPENDENTS · EMPLOYER, TITLE OR CITY CHANGE · OVERSTAY, ILLEGAL WORK & EXIT
Overstay, illegal employment or an exit record can close options quickly. This is a deadline screen, not a family-safety route.
Open overstay & exit routeDecision desk / 01
Where is the
pressure point?
Matter statusCLASSIFY FIRSTConfirm the current route
Work authorisation
Separate work authorisation from the labour contract and from residence.
Open routeResidence & stay
Map current status layers and the next expiry before planning travel or a job change.
Open routeFamily & dependents
Identify the principal’s status before assuming a family member can stay or enter.
Open routeEmployer, title or city change
Identify what must be cancelled or re-filed before the person starts the new role.
Open routeOverstay, illegal work & exit
Screen the clock and the current status before ordinary visa research.
Open routeSituation-based routes
Start where
the matter is.
8 bounded routes turn a broad concern into the next useful question.
Work authorisation
Work permit, notification letter, Z visa and the employment overlay.
Open route 02ResidenceResidence & stay
Residence permit, stay layers, expiry and the calendar that keeps status lawful.
Open route 03FamilyFamily & dependents
Dependent and reunion status that follows a principal permit or residence.
Open route 04ChangeEmployer, title or city change
Transfers, cancellations and the illegal-employment risk when the job moves.
Open route 05Exit clockOverstay, illegal work & exit
Overstay, unauthorised work, exit records and time-sensitive triage.
Open route 06TransitTransit & visa-free entry
240-hour transit and visa-free policy as a bounded entry question, not a work route.
Open route 07Nationality & permanent residenceNationality & permanent residence
PRC nationality, permanent residence and status questions beyond ordinary visa/work-permit processing.
Open route 08Refugee & humanitarian statusRefugee & humanitarian status
Orientation on refugee/humanitarian-status issues and interaction with PRC entry, stay and public-security procedures.
Open routeDecision shortcuts
Already know
the issue?
Jump to the narrow question changing your next move.
Editorial & legal review
Research with
professional boundaries.
Route logic and substantive content require review when current rules change.
No lawyer is presented as the legal reviewer until an appropriately qualified specialist is assigned.
This hub routes research; it does not provide legal advice or promise regulatory clearance.
Editorial policyCounsel hand-off
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This hub organises status questions. It does not grant permits, decide overstay outcomes or replace the employing entity’s filings.