Living in China
Information about moving to, living or retiring in China – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in China
Help from the Chinese government
For any questions about moving to or living in China, you may be able to get help from the:
You can also read the Chinese government’s guidance on moving to China and living in China.
The UK government, the British Embassy in Beijing, and British Consulates-General in China, cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in China.
Professional help in China
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in China, including:
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lawyers
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translators
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funeral directors
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medical facilities
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for China to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit China. This includes the latest information on:
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visas and entry requirements
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laws and cultural differences
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safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for China before you travel.
Visas and residence permits
Check which visa or residence permit you need to live in China.
You can get a visa to:
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work
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study
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live with family in China
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invest or do business in China
If you want to extend your visa:
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read guidance on extension, replacement or reissuance of Chinese visas
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contact the Chinese National Immigration Administration
For more information:
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read guidance on Chinese visa applications from the Chinese Embassy in London
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contact the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre
Criminal record checks
To apply for a residence or work permit in China, foreign nationals must provide proof of no criminal record. For more information:
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read about police and criminal records in documents for British people abroad
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contact your local police in the UK or the ACRO Criminal Records Office
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contact the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to find out if a DBS check is suitable for your requirements
If you work or plan to work with children, you can also apply to ACRO for an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC).
The Chinese government may ask for your criminal record check to be legalised. Our guidance on documents for British people abroad covers legalising and certifying UK documents.
For information on how to get a criminal record check in China, read guidance on criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Registering as a resident
Once you arrive, you must register your address in China with the Public Security Bureau (PSB). You must do this within 24 hours of arriving in China. If you are staying in a hotel, they should do this for you. Otherwise, you can complete the registration process:
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at a PSB police station window
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at a foreigner’s service station
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online through a ‘self-service declaration system for foreigners accommodation registration’ specific to your area
You must keep your registration up to date. Rules vary depending on where you live. Check if you need to re-register each time you:
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move house
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renew your passport or visa
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return to your address after travelling abroad or to a different city in China
For more information on registering, read the Chinese government’s guidance on moving to China.
If you have any problems or questions about registering your address, contact:
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your local PSB office
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contact the Chinese National Immigration Administration
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency (D visa) in China if you meet the eligibility criteria.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply:
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read guidance on foreign nationals’ eligibility for permanent residency in China
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contact the Municipal PSB – Exit-Entry Administration in your area
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contact the Chinese National Immigration Administration
Citizenship
China does not recognise dual citizenship. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Chinese citizen.
Read guidance on nationality in China for more information, including for children born in China.
To find out if you’re eligible for Chinese citizenship:
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read guidance on how to become a Chinese citizen
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contact the Chinese Embassy in London
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contact Municipal PSB – Exit-Entry Administration in your area
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contact the Chinese National Immigration Administration
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Beijing, and British Consulates-General in China, cannot help with Chinese visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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apply for a British passport from abroad
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travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Healthcare in China
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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plan your healthcare
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take medicine abroad
China does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Chinese or international providers. If you work in China, your employer may also enrol you in a health insurance scheme.
Read about healthcare in China in the Chinese government’s guidance on moving to China.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
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contact your insurance provider
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read guidance on health in China
Working in China
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in China, you need a work visa and work permit. To get a work visa or work permit, you must have:
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a job offer from a Chinese employer
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proof of no criminal record — read about criminal record checks in the visas and residency section of this guide
For more information, read the entry requirements for China.
You can also read guidance on:
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working in China, in the Chinese government’s guidance on moving to China
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Chinese visa applications from the Chinese Embassy in London
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in China, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
For more information, ask your potential employer.
Driving in China
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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drive abroad legally
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take your UK vehicle abroad
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get driving licence letters
Read about road travel in China, in safety and security in the travel advice for China. This includes information on driving in China, including driving licence rules.
The Chinese government provide information on driving in China, including:
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driving in China, in the guide to moving to China
For more information, contact your local Vehicle Administration Office in China.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in China, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Money and banking
Foreign nationals can open bank accounts in China if they meet certain criteria. For most banks you will usually need to:
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be aged 18 to 65 years
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have full civil capacity
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have a legal and stable income
Speak to the bank to find out exact requirements.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with China so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Chinese State Taxation Administration for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in China. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in China.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
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how to claim your UK State Pension
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where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Chinese pension
You may be able to claim a Chinese pension if you have worked and paid social security contributions in China. If you work in China, your employer should enrol you in the state social security scheme. Read guidance on social insurance in China.
To find out whether you can claim, contact:
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your employer’s human resources department
- the National Human Resources and Social Security Government Service Platform, 全国人社政务服务平台 (in Chinese, but some may have English language support on request)
- an English-speaking lawyer in China
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Chinese benefits
You may be entitled to some Chinese benefits if you have worked and paid social security contributions in China. If you are working in China, your employer may enrol you in the state social security scheme.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim, contact:
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your employer’s human resources department
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the National Human Resources and Social Security Government Service Platform, 全国人社政务服务平台 (in Chinese, but some may have English language support on request)
Buying and renting property in China
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Requirements for foreign nationals buying property are different in different cities. Contact an English-speaking lawyer in China if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in China
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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vote in UK elections from abroad
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register as an overseas voter
Chinese elections
You cannot vote in Chinese elections unless you hold Chinese citizenship.
Studying in China
If you plan to study in China, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
For more information:
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read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
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visit the Campus China website
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contact your higher education provider in the UK or China
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contact the Chinese Ministry of Education
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
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getting permission to take your child abroad
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claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
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child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Government of Beijing provides information about primary and secondary school in China.
All children aged 6 to 15 must attend school in China.
For more information, contact your district or municipality’s education department.
Childcare
The Department of Maternal and Child Health, part of the National Health Commission, is responsible for childcare services in China.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in China, register the birth with the Chinese authorities. You must do this within 60 days. For more information on how to register the birth:
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contact your local Municipal Public Security Bureau – Exit-Entry Administration or call the Chinese National Immigration Administration
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contact your local Police Station Household Registration Office if one of the parents is a Chinese citizen
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read about birth registration in the Chinese government’s guidance on moving to China
You can also read about nationality in China. This explains the rules around Chinese nationality for children born in China.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
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apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
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what to do after someone dies abroad
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how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in China, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad.
For more information if you are British and getting married to a Chinese person of the opposite sex, see our guidance about getting married in China.
The British Embassy can marry couples who are:
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both British and of the same or opposite sex
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one British and one non-Chinese person of the opposite sex
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one British and the other of any nationality, including Chinese, of the same sex
Same-sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in China. For information about LGBT+ rights in China, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for China.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
The Chinese government offers guidance on divorce registration in China.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in China.
Documents for British people in China
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
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legalising and certifying UK documents
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marriage and civil partnership documents
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affirmations and affidavits
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witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in China, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to China, read guidance on:
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how to bring pets to China from the Government of Shanghai
Pet importation rules change often and can differ depending on where you enter China. Check with a company that specialises in international pet travel or relocation for exact requirements.
You can only bring one pet to China per adult. In most cities, like Beijing, you can only register one pet per household address.
Bigger dogs and specific breeds that are considered violent are banned from major Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai.
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Chinese authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.
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Info updated on 'Living in China' page
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Advice added on how to prove that British passport numbers change when renewed or replaced.
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Added 'Mental health support for British nationals in China'
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Updated 'Living in China' page
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.
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Updated
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Updated
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Updated
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Updated
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Updated
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Updated
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Updated
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Criminal record checks updated.
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added Returning to the UK after living in China section
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First published.