Applying for Residence Permits and Visas in Hainan

Types of Residence Permit

China issues different types of residence permits corresponding to the applicants’ purpose for being in China. Typically, the visa on which you entered China will determine which type of residence permit you will be issued: 

·Those holding Z visas will be issued with work-type residence permits.

·Those holding Q1 visas will be issued with family reunion-type residence permits.

·Those holding S1 visas will be issued with private business residence permits.

·Those holding X1 visas will be issued with study-type residence permits.

·Those holding J1 visas will be issued with foreign journalist residence permits.

Other visa types cannot normally be converted into residence permits. If you do not hold any of the above visa types or have not been resident in other parts of the Chinese mainland immediately prior to coming to Hainan, you must leave China and apply for the relevant visa type at a Chinese consular mission in your country of nationality or normal residence before returning to Hainan to apply for a residence permit.

Residence Permit (1st-Time Application)

If the visa you hold indicates that you need to apply for a residence permit after entering China, you should apply for a residence permit at the Entry-Exit Administration application location of the public security organs in the place where you intend to reside within 30 days from the date of entry.

When you apply for a residence permit valid for more than one year, you must submit a physical health certificate issued by the local health and quarantine department or the health and medical department at or above the county level in accordance with regulations, confirming that you do not suffer from severe mental disorders, infectious tuberculosis, or other infectious diseases that may cause serious harm and have a negative impact on public health. You must also submit the following supporting materials:

(1) For work: Applicants entering China on Z visas must submit their work permit notification letter issued by the local human resources and social security department, foreign experts bureau or other competent authorities and relevant supporting materials from their employing unit (such as their labor contract). Applicants who initially entered China on other types of visas must also submit supporting materials that demonstrate that they meet the conditions and requirements for high-level foreign talents, urgently needed specialized talents, and investors as determined by the relevant competent authorities of the Chinese government. High-level foreign talents, urgently needed specialized talents, and investors can be issued residence permits valid for up to 5 years upon successful application. Applicants working in a trusted unit that has previously successfully applied for residence permits can be issued residence permits valid for up to 2 years upon successful application. Other applicants can be issued residence permits valid for up to 1 year upon successful application.

(2) For study: Applicants entering China on X1 visas must submit a letter from the school indicating their intended study period and an admission or matriculation certificate. Applicants who initially entered China on other types of visas must also submit supporting materials issued by the competent authorities. Upon successful application, applicants will be issued a residence permit valid for the study period indicated by the school.

If you hold a study-type residence permit and need to engage in work-study or do an off-campus internship, you must obtain the consent of the school where you are studying, obtain a letter from the school and the internship unit agreeing to work-study or off-campus internship, and submit it to the Entry-Exit Administration to apply for the relevant observation to be added to your residence permit.

(3) For journalism: Applicants entering China on J1 visas must submit a letter issued by the foreign affairs department of the provincial people's government and a valid "Press Card." Upon successful application, applicants will be issued with a residence permit valid for up to 1 year.

(4) For reunion: Applicants entering the China on Q1 visas must submit the identity document of the person they are visiting and proof of kinship. Applicants who initially entered China on other types of visas should also submit proof of kinship. Upon successful application, applicants under 18 and over 60 years old will be issued a residence permit valid for up to 3 years. The expiration date of the residence permit of persons under 18 years old cannot exceed the date they turn 18 years old. Other applicants will be issued with residence permits valid for up to 2 years.

For applicants who are foreign children under the age of 18 born to Chinese of foreign nationality or overseas Chinese and being cared for in China, carers may apply for residence permits on their behalf to the Entry-Exit Administration of public security organs in their place of household registration or main place of residence. The following materials should be submitted: The applicant’s birth certificate and a copy of the passport of the foreign parent(s); if both or one of the parents is Chinese, a copy of their proof of overseas settlement should also be submitted; a letter from the applicant's parents assigning power of attorney and a letter from the carer acknowledging receipt of power of attorney specifying details such as the identity of the carer and the intended period of care; the carer's local household registration certificate or proof of residence in their actual place of residence demonstrating continuous residence for 6 months or more, and their resident ID card. Upon successful application, applicants will be issued a residence permit valid for up to 3 years. The expiration date of the residence permit of persons under 18 years old cannot exceed the date they turn 18 years old.

(5) For private affairs: Applicants entering China on S1 visas to visit relatives should submit the residence permit of the relative they are visiting and a letter from said person declaring kinship (spouse, parents, spouse's parents, children under 18 years old) between the applicant and themselves. Upon successful application, applicants will be issued a residence permit valid for the same length of stay as the residence permit of the relative they are visiting. Other personnel should submit relevant proof that they are dealing with private affairs. Upon successful application, applicants will be issued with a residence permit valid for up to 1 year.

Applicants who initially entered China on other types of visas who are visiting relatives should submit an invitation letter from the person being visited, their residence permit, and proof of kinship (spouse, parents, spouse’s parents, children under 18 years old). Upon successful application, applicants will be issued a residence permit valid for the same length of stay as the residence permit of the relative they are visiting. Applicants applying for humanitarian reasons should submit relevant supporting materials. Upon successful application, they will be issued a residence permit valid for up to 1 year. Applicants who are Chinese of foreign nationality over the age of 60 and who have purchased real estate in China should submit a real estate certificate in their own name or a notarized real estate sale contract and proof of financial resources. Applicants receiving medical assistance or services in China must submit a proof of hospitalization demonstrating continuous hospitalization for 6 months or more or proof of receipt of medical services issued by a local medical institution at or above the county level or Class IIA or above.

Residence Permit Extension

If you wish to apply for an extension of your residence permit, you should submit an application to the Entry-Exit Administration 30 days before the expiration of your current residence permit, and provide supporting materials related to the reason for the application. If the reasons for the extension are found to be reasonable and sufficient, your period of stay will be extended; If your period of stay is not extended, you must leave the country within the validity of your current residence permit.

Residence Permit Renewal

Should any of the particulars connected to your residence permit (name, reason for residence, passport or other international travel document number, etc.) change, you must apply to the Entry-Exit Administration to update said particulars within ten days from the date of change, submitting the relevant supporting materials stipulated in the aforementioned regulations. Upon successful application, the particulars of your residence permit will be adjusted and an updated residence permit will be issued.

Residence Permit Reissue

If your residence permit is lost, damaged, or stolen, you must submit a report of loss of passport or a statement from your country's embassy or consulate in China, or present the damaged permit, as well as a new valid passport or other international travel document. Upon successful application, your residence permit will be reissued.

Visa Extension

Applications for visa extensions must be made 7 days before the expiration of your current visa at your nearest Entry-Exit Administration application location.

Application Materials

(1) C visa holders should submit a certification letter issued by the competent department of the People's Government at or above the county level or local civil aviation, railway, highway, port and other transportation companies. The period of stay can be extended for no more than 30 days.

(2) F visa holders should submit a certification letter issued by their inviting/host units. Units not registered in the Entry-Exit Administration system should also submit a registration certificate. The period of stay can be extended for up to 180 days.

(3) G visa holders should submit a certification letter from their host units and flight (bus, ferry) tickets with a confirmed date and seat to their onward destination country (region). The period of stay can be extended for no more than 30 days.

(4) J2 visa holders should submit a certification letter issued by the foreign affairs department of the provincial people’s government. The period of stay can be extended for no more than 30 days.

(5) L visa holders should submit their travel plan and itinerary, and group tours should also submit a certification letter from the relevant travel agency. The period of stay can be extended for no more than 30 days.

(6) M visa holders should submit a certification letter from their local inviting/host unit or individual. Units not registered in the Entry-Exit Administration system should also submit a registration certificate. If the inviting/host unit is an individual, the letter issued must be signed by the inviting individual and submitted with proof of their local household registration or actual residence. The period of stay can be extended for up to 180 days.

(7) Q2 visa holders should submit the identity document of the person they are visiting, as well as an invitation letter and proof of kinship between the applicant and the person they are visiting. The period of stay can be extended for up to 180 days.

(8) R visa holders should submit a certification letter from their inviting/host units. Units not registered in the Entry-Exit Administration system should also submit a registration certificate. The period of stay can be extended for up to 180 days.

(9) S2 visa holders should submit a certification letter from the person they are visiting, as well as their foreigner residence permit and proof of kinship between the application and the person they are visiting. Other personnel should submit relevant proof that they are dealing with private affairs or have humanitarian reasons. The period of stay can be extended for no more than 180 days for applicants visiting relatives, and no more than 90 days for other applicants.

(10) X2 visa holders should submit a certificate of enrollment issued by an education or training institution in China. The period of stay can be extended for up to 180 days.

When extending the period of stay, the cumulative period of stay shall not exceed the original period of stay specified on the visa.

Stay Permit

Application Materials

(1) Foreign nationals who enter Hainan without a visa under the visa-free entry policy and need to stay beyond their visa-free stay period for non-diplomatic or official reasons should submit relevant supporting materials. Upon successful application, they will be issued a stay permit with a stay period corresponding to the length of their intended itinerary.

(2) Foreign seafarers and their accompanying family members who need to leave the city where their ship is docked must submit their seaman's certificate or other international travel document and a letter of guarantee from their shipping agency, as well as plane (bus, ferry) tickets with confirmed dates and seats to their onward destination country (region) or other relevant supporting materials. Upon successful application, they will be issued a stay permit valid for up to 30 days.

(3) Former Chinese citizens who need to stay in China after their application to renounce Chinese nationality has been approved must submit their certificate of renunciation, their foreign passport or other international travel document, and relevant supporting materials. Upon successful application, they will be issued a stay permit valid for up to 180 days.

(4) Foreign nationals whose conditions of residence have changed or been terminated and who need to continue to stay for humanitarian reasons should submit their residence permit and other relevant supporting materials. Upon successful application, they will be issued a stay permit valid for up to 30 days.

(5) The parents of foreign infants born in China who need to stay in China should submit the infant's birth certificate, the infant's passport, and the passports of both parents. Upon successful application, the infant will be issued a stay permit with the same validity as their parents' stay permits.

(6) Foreign nationals holding a stay permit who are unable to leave China within the validity period of the stay permit due to circumstances out of their control may apply to renew their stay permits. Application materials and renewal requirements shall be handled in accordance with the aforementioned regulations.

(7) Foreign nationals whose stay permits are lost, damaged or stolen must submit proof of loss of their passport or a statement indicating said loss from their country's embassy or consulate in China and a new valid passport or other international travel document. Upon successful application, they will be reissued a stay permit.

Entry-Exit Administration Application Locations for Foreign Nationals

For phone enquiries outside working hours, call the National Immigration Administration hotline on 12367.