China Residence Permit Application Form: How
Step-by-step guidance on completing the China residence permit application form correctly to avoid delays or rejection.
No published figure yet. The authority does not publish this cost in a form we could verify and quote, so this guide covers the procedure only: what to bring, in what order, and where it goes wrong. We will add the figures the moment there is a source for them.
In order
- Download or collect the current form — Get the latest version from the local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau or its official website.
- Fill in your personal details — Copy your name, birth date, and nationality exactly from your passport.
- Enter your residential address — Write the address where you actually live, matching your police registration.
- Specify the purpose of stay — Choose the category that corresponds to your visa and supporting documents.
- State your intended duration — Indicate the period you need, consistent with your contract or enrollment.
- Review all entries — Check every field for errors, especially numbers and spellings.
- Sign and date the form — Use your usual signature and the current date.
- Submit with required documents — Hand in the form along with your passport, photo, and other attachments to the immigration office.
The residence permit application form is the core document for your legal stay in China. Filling it out accurately saves you time and prevents complications. This guide walks you through each part of the form in the order you will encounter it.
Before You Start
Gather your passport, visa, and any supporting documents such as your employment contract or enrollment letter. Have your host organization’s details ready, including their official name and address. Check the latest version of the form at your local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau or online. Forms change, and using an outdated one can cause rejection.
Filling Out Personal Information
Write your name exactly as it appears in your passport, including any middle names. Use the same spelling and order as the passport. Provide your date of birth in the format requested, typically year-month-day. Double-check the numbers against your passport. List your nationality and any previous nationalities if applicable. Be consistent with your visa application.
Address and Contact Details
Enter your current residential address in China, including the building and room number. This must match the address you registered with the local police station. Provide a working phone number and email. Use a number you check regularly, as authorities may contact you for clarifications.
Purpose and Duration of Stay
Select the purpose that matches your visa type, such as work, study, or family reunion. Do not mix purposes. State the intended duration of stay. This should align with your supporting documents, such as the contract or enrollment period. Indicate whether you plan to extend the permit later. Be honest, as this affects the validity period granted.
Review and Submission
Read every field again before signing. A single typo can lead to a rejection or a request for a new form. Sign the form in the designated place, using the same signature as in your passport. Submit it along with all required attachments to the immigration office.
Confirm before you act
Fees and processing times change. This page was checked on 2026-10-31; confirm the current rule with the authority named in each source above before you rely on a deadline.
Last checked 2026-10-31, next review 2027-04-29. Every figure above names its source and the date it was read. This page is a guide, not legal, tax or immigration advice — confirm with the authority before acting on a deadline.