China
CHNChina is the world's second-largest economy and home to one of humanity's oldest continuous civilisations, with a cultural heritage stretching back thousands of years and cities that range from ancient imperial capitals to futuristic megacities.
The country strictly prohibits dual nationality, and those who naturalise are expected to formally renounce prior citizenship, making it a one-way transition. Despite limited passport mobility compared to its economic weight, China's rapid infrastructure development, technological advancement, and sheer scale of opportunity continue to attract foreign professionals, academics, and entrepreneurs.
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Chinese Yuan (CNY)
- Dual citizenship
- Not allowed
- Capital
- Beijing
- Region
- asia
- Population
- 1,400,000,000
- Cost-of-living
- 38 /100
Passport Rank
#62
Visa-Free
76
destinations
Visa-free travel
A China passport has visa-free access to 76 destinations. See the full China passport breakdown →
Passports that enter China without a prior visa (80)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from China
Current IRCC processing times for China nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 36 days |
| Super visa | 86 days |
| Study permit | 4 weeks |
| Work permit | 4 weeks |
| Sponsor a dependent child | 13 months |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-10-07 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Beijing
- Currency
- Chinese Yuan (CNY)
- Languages
- Mandarin Chinese
- Population
- 1,400,000,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Varied (Tropical to Subarctic)
- English Proficiency Rank
- #82
- GDP per capita
- $13,862
- Life expectancy
- 78.02 yrs
- Population growth
- -0.17%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
38
Safety
67
Healthcare
64
Quality of Life
148
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 10 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | $1,200 | $750 | $380 | $70 | $20 |
| Shanghai | $1,350 | $850 | $400 | $75 | $22 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Beijing
Rainfall range: 3–175 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 15h (summer)
Shanghai
Rainfall range: 40–155 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- L Tourist
- M Business
- F Exchange
- X1 Student (Long-term)
- X2 Student (Short-term)
- Z Work
- Q Family
- S Private
- R High-talent
- J Journalist
- Permanent Residence Card
- Authority
- National Immigration Administration (NIA)
- Official Portal
- www.nia.gov.cn
- Phone
- +86-10-12367
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 99
- Language Test
- Yes (Mandarin Chinese proficiency required; high standard expected in practice)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- $0
- Processing
- ~60 months
Real Estate
- Avg price/sqm (capital)
- $11,000
- Transaction taxes
- 5%
Foreign buyers: Foreign nationals may purchase ONE residential property in China after one year of working or studying in the country — property cannot be purchased for investment purposes. Foreigners cannot purchase commercial real estate or multiple residential units. Shanghai prime areas CNY 60,000-100,000/sqm ($8,500-14,000/sqm). Contract Deed Tax 3-5%; Stamp Duty 0.05%. Capital gains on property sale subject to 20% tax. Repatriation of proceeds requires SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) approval and proof of tax compliance. VPN required for normal internet use — Great Firewall blocks Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.
International Schools
← scroll the table →
| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International School of Beijing | Beijing | US + IB | $25,000–$40,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
180 Mbps median
90% fibre coverage
eSIM: China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom
Driving
IDP not required
Local licence required after 0 months
Exchange eligible: Drives on the RIGHT. IDP is NOT accepted in China. Foreign nationals with valid foreign licences must obtain a Chinese driving licence to drive legally — this involves a written test (available in multiple languages including English) at the local traffic management bureau. The test covers Chinese traffic laws and road signs. No bilateral exchange: all foreigners must take the written exam.
Pet Relocation
Quarantine: 30 days
Rabies titre required
EU pet passport: not accepted
Safety
GPI Rank
#81
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠"tea ceremony" scams in Beijing and Shanghai tourist areas — friendly strangers invite tourists to tea then present enormous bills
- ⚠art gallery scams near tourist sites selling fake art at inflated prices
- ⚠taxi overcharging by unlicensed cabs — use DiDi app instead
- ⚠fake branded goods sold as genuine luxury items in markets
Examples of areas to avoid: No specific zones — China is generally safe for crime, but political activities, protests, and photography near government buildings carry legal risk, Xinjiang travel requires extra documentation and checkpoints
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Not recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- No
- ILGA Rank
- #106
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Widely available
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Limited
Sample Citizenship Test Questions
Q1. The People's Republic of China was founded in which year?
Answer: 1949
Source: Ministry of Public Security — Chinese Nationality
Q2. What is the name of China's supreme legislative body?
Answer: National People's Congress
Source: Ministry of Public Security — Chinese Nationality
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in China, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
National Immigration Administration
NIAThere is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; work permits are employer- and government-driven, and lawyers are regulated by the Ministry of Justice.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for China, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Residence
Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card (Five-Star Card)
ResidenceFor you if you want to settle in China long term: the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card - nicknamed the Five-Star Card - is China's actual permanent residence document, issued by the National Immigration Administration once your permanent-residence application is approved.
Short-term / business
M Business Visa
Short-term / businessFor you if you are travelling to mainland China for commercial or trade activities: the M visa covers business trips such as meetings, negotiations and trade fairs - but it is not a work visa and does not let you take up employment.
Work (sponsored)
Z Work Visa (with Foreigner Work Permit and Residence Permit)
Work (sponsored)For you if a Chinese employer has offered you a job: the Z visa is the standard route into paid work in mainland China, used together with a Foreigner Work Permit and, after arrival, a residence permit.
Family
Q Family Reunion Visa (Q1 and Q2)
FamilyFor you if you are family of a Chinese citizen or a permanent resident of China: the Q visa is the family-reunion route, with a long-stay Q1 (leading to a residence permit) and a short-stay Q2 for visits.
Study
X Student Visa (X1 and X2)
StudyFor you if you have been accepted to study in mainland China: the X visa is the student route, with X1 for longer courses (over six months, leading to a residence permit) and X2 for shorter study.
Skilled migration
R Talent Visa (high-level and urgently needed talent)
Skilled migrationFor you if you are a recognised high-level expert or have skills China urgently needs: the R visa is the talent route, normally used alongside a top-tier Foreigner Work Permit and, after arrival, a residence permit.
Work (unsponsored)
K Visa (young science and technology talent)
Work (unsponsored)For you if you are a young scientist, engineer or technologist: the K visa is a new route (effective 1 October 2025) that lets eligible STEM talent enter China without a domestic employer first inviting you - but read the honesty note below: its work-authorisation status is still being clarified.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-10-15. Each route links to its official government source.
Sources & last verified
- Last verified