Category: China Expat Briefing

Between 2004 and 2017, China issued just over 10,000 permanent residency permits to foreign nationals. This guide explains the four eligibility routes, the real criteria, and your honest odds of qualifying …

Your passport is legally valid for trains, hotels, SIM cards and payment accounts in China. The problem isn't the rules, it's the systems built on top of them …

China’s work permit salary thresholds have raised concerns among foreign professionals. This explainer clarifies the 6× and 4× rules, why the figures appear high, and who is actually affected ...

A practical guide to changing employers in China without losing your work permit or residence status, with timelines, documents, and common risks explained ...

Hainan has announced the locations of its first five resident duty-free stores for daily-use imported goods. Here are the locations in Haikou, Sanya, and Danzhou, and what residents need to know …

A practical explainer on the most common work and residence permit mistakes foreign professionals in China still make in 2026, and how employers and employees can reduce compliance risks …

A practical guide for foreign teachers and professionals on how to leave China properly, covering work permits, residence permits, banking, social insurance, and records you may need years later …

Can foreigners freelance or do side work in China? What the law actually says, how enforcement typically happens, and where legal risk begins ...

What is Nipah virus and why is it in the news? A clear explainer on the recent cases in India, China’s travel health advisory, symptoms, risks, and what travelers should know ...