Published by ChinaMNC · Nan

Work Permits and Visas for Nan Founders

A practical guide for foreign founders in Nan on the visa and work-permit routes most commonly used to establish and run a company in China, including the documents involved and common pitfalls.

Work Permits and Visas for Nan Founders

Nan is a small city in Sichuan Province, and foreign founders there face the same national immigration framework as founders in Chengdu, Shanghai or Shenzhen. What differs is the local execution: which office handles your application, how familiar staff are with foreign-founded companies, and how much preparation you need to do yourself. This guide outlines the main routes, the documents involved, and the practical steps founders typically take. It is general information only and not legal advice; rules and local practices change, so confirm details with the local exit-entry administration and a qualified professional before acting.

Understand the two-part system

Foreign founders often conflate two separate approvals. In practice you deal with:

• The work permit, administered by the science and technology (foreign experts) authorities. This establishes your right to work and is tied to an employer.
• The residence permit, issued by the public security exit-entry administration. This is the sticker in your passport that lets you stay, and it records the purpose of your stay.

You normally cannot obtain a work-type residence permit without first holding a work permit notification, and you cannot complete the work permit without a valid residence status. The two processes interlock, so plan the sequence carefully.

The common routes for founders

1. Work permit for a foreign employee of your own company

If you incorporate a company in Nan and employ yourself as, say, general manager or legal representative, the company becomes your sponsoring employer. This is the most common path. It requires the company to be properly registered, to have a bank account and tax registration, and to demonstrate that it is a genuine operating entity. Expect scrutiny of the company's substance, especially for very new entities.

2. Foreign high-end talent (Category A) and professional talent (Category B)

China classifies foreign workers into categories. Category A covers high-end talent and generally benefits from simplified procedures and longer validity. Category B covers foreign professionals who meet criteria on education, work experience and salary. Many founders apply under Category B using a bachelor's degree or above plus relevant experience, or points-based criteria. Category C covers other temporary or seasonal workers and is rarely appropriate for founders. The category assigned affects document requirements and permit duration, so clarify your likely classification early.

3. Entrepreneur and investment routes

Some localities operate dedicated channels for foreign entrepreneurs, including points-based systems that reward investment, patents, and company substance. These are not uniform across China. In smaller cities such as Nan, such channels may exist on paper but be rarely used in practice, so ask the local authorities directly what they will accept rather than assuming a Chengdu or Shanghai process applies.

4. The R visa for high-level talent

The R visa is a dedicated talent visa for high-level foreign talent and recognized experts. It is not a general founder route, and eligibility is narrow. Most early-stage founders will not qualify, but it is worth knowing about if you hold significant credentials.

The typical sequence for a new company

For a founder starting from scratch, a workable order of events usually looks like this:

• Enter on an appropriate visa. Do not plan to work on a tourist visa. If you need to be in China while setting up, discuss the correct entry category in advance.
• Incorporate the company. Complete business registration, obtain the business license, and arrange the company seal, bank account and tax registration.
• Apply for the work permit notification. The employer submits this online. It is the document you may need to obtain a Z visa abroad if you are not already in China on a suitable status.
• Obtain or convert to the Z visa if required. Founders already in China sometimes convert status, but this is discretionary and must be checked locally.
• Apply for the work permit card. After entry or conversion, complete the in-country work permit application.
• Apply for the work-type residence permit. This is done at exit-entry and typically valid for the same period as the work permit.

Documents founders commonly need

Requirements vary by category and by office, but founders should prepare for the following:

• Passport with sufficient validity and blank pages.
• Recent passport-style photographs to the local specification.
• Degree certificates, often requiring notarization and, where applicable, authentication or consular legalization.
• Evidence of relevant work experience, such as reference letters.
• A clean criminal record certificate, typically notarized and authenticated, and subject to validity windows.
• A medical examination completed at a designated clinic in China, or a recognized overseas equivalent where accepted.
• Company documents: business license, seals, and the employment contract or appointment document.
• Completed application forms and, in some cases, a temporary accommodation registration form from your local police station.

Document legalization is a frequent bottleneck. Timelines for notarization and authentication abroad can run to weeks, so start early and confirm the current accepted format with the Nan authorities before you invest in a particular process.

Practical points for a smaller city

Nan is not a major international hub, and that has consequences for founders:

• Language. Expect most forms and counter staff to operate in Chinese. Bring a Chinese-speaking colleague or a professional interpreter for key appointments.
• Local familiarity. Officers may see fewer foreign-founded companies than in Chengdu. Clear, complete files and patience matter more than clever arguments.
• Ask before you act. Where procedures are discretionary, a short visit or phone call to confirm the local expectation can save weeks.
• Keep records. Retain copies of every submission and receipt. You will need them for renewals and for any change of employer or role.
• Renewals. Start renewal well before expiry. Lapses can interrupt your legal status and complicate banking and travel.

Mistakes to avoid

Founders most often run into trouble by working before holding a work permit, by letting a permit lapse, by changing role or employer without updating the permit, or by assuming a visa valid for entry is also valid for work. Treat the work permit and residence permit as a single linked system and keep them aligned with what you actually do.

General information disclaimer

This article provides general information only. It is not legal, immigration, tax or investment advice, and it does not create any professional relationship. Immigration rules, categories, document requirements and local practices change and are applied with discretion by the relevant authorities. Always verify current requirements with the competent Chinese authorities and consult a qualified professional about your specific circumstances before making decisions.