National-Level Official Service Portal for Foreign Nationals

National-Level Official Service Portal for Foreign Nationals

I. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Visa Application

Service Name               China Online Visa Application (COVA)

Direct Link                   https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/

Competent Authority       Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

Services Available Online visa application form filling, document upload, and appointment booking

II. National Immigration Administration: English Portal and Service Guides

Service Name         National Immigration Administration English Portal

Direct Link               https://en.nia.gov.cn

Competent Authority National Immigration Administration (NIA)

Description         Provides policy information and service application guides

III. National Immigration Administration: Online Arrival Card Filling

Service Name           Online Arrival Card Filling for Foreign Nationals

Direct Link           https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/

Competent Authority   National Immigration Administration

Fee                   Free of charge

Important Notice：This official service is completely free. Beware of fraudulent websites set up by criminals overseas. Always verify the official domain name.

IV. National Immigration Administration: Service Office Locator

Service Name              Service Office Locator

Direct Link              https://s.nia.gov.cn/mps/views/query/wgraddress.html

Competent Authority      National Immigration Administration

Searchable Information     Addresses, phone numbers, and office hours of entry-exit service halls nationwide

V. Application Guide for Foreign Permanent Residence (Five-Star Card)

About the Name: The Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People's Republic of China is officially nicknamed the "Five-Star Card" due to the five-star element added to the new version of the card.

Service Name                   Examination and Approval of Foreign Permanent Residence Status

Official Guide Link (NIA Platform) https://s.nia.gov.cn/mps/bszy/wgrcrj/yjjl/

Alternative Link http://gjzwfw.www.gov.cn/fwmh/item/bwck_index.do?deptCode=11100000MB0420873F(National Government Service Platform)

Competent Authority             National Immigration Administration

Online Processing Available   No (The NIA page provides service guides; applications must be submitted offline. The National Government Service Platform page provides an "online application" portal.)

Application Receiving Authorities: Public security bureaus at the districted city level; sub-bureaus of municipal public security bureaus in directly-administered municipalities

Application Eligibility Criteria (must simultaneously meet "abide by Chinese laws, be in good health, have no criminal record" plus any one of the following):

1.Direct investment in China with stable investment status for three consecutive years and good tax payment records

2.Holding a position of deputy general manager, deputy factory director or higher, or having a deputy senior professional title or higher in China, having held the position continuously for four years, having resided in China for no less than three years within the four-year period, and having good tax payment records

3.Having made significant, outstanding, or special contributions to China, or being specially needed by the state

4.Spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age of the persons specified in items 1-3 above

5.Spouses of Chinese citizens or of foreigners who have obtained permanent residence status in China, with the marriage relationship having existed for five years, having continuously resided in China for five years, having resided in China for no less than nine months each year, and having stable living security and a place of residence

6.Unmarried children under 18 years of age seeking to join their parents

7.Persons without direct family members abroad, seeking to join direct family members in China, who have reached the age of 60, have continuously resided in China for five years, have resided in China for no less than nine months each year, and have stable living security and a place of residence

Processing Time Limit: A decision on approval or disapproval shall be made within 6 months from the date of acceptance

Fee: Application fee: 1,500 RMB; Card fee: 300 RMB

VI. Foreigner's Work Permit

Service Name              Foreigner's Work Permit

Official Guide Link          https://fwp.safea.gov.cn/

Competent Authority      Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security  (State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs)

Services Available          Work permit application, extension, modification, and cancellation

Important Notice: Effective June 3, 2024, all Foreigner's Work Permit applications must be processed through the National Human Resources and Social Security Government Service Platform. The employer (legal entity) must submit the application through this platform — applicants cannot apply by registering a personal account on their own.

National Human Resources and Social Security Government Service Platform: https://www.12333.gov.cn/

VII. Tax: Individual Income Tax Declaration

Service Name               Individual Electronic Tax Bureau

Direct Link               https://etax.chinatax.gov.cn

Competent Authority       State Taxation Administration

Services Available       Individual income tax declaration, annual tax settlement, and declaration of income from overseas sources

VIII. Driver's License Services

Service Name               Traffic Safety Integrated Service Management Platform

Direct Link               https://www.122.gov.cn

Competent Authority       Traffic Management Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security

Services Available          After selecting the corresponding province, you can process driver's license and motor vehicle services

Mobile App: "Traffic Management 12123" (available for download from mobile app stores)

IX. National Unified Service Hotlines

12367  National Immigration Administration（24-hour service, available in Chinese and English）

12333  Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security （Service during working hours）

12366  State Taxation Administration （Service during working hours）

X. Complete Link Summary

1. Visa Application https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/ （Ministry of Foreign Affairs）

2. NIA English Portal https://en.nia.gov.cn（National Immigration Administration）

3. Online Arrival Card Filling https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/（National Immigration Administration）

4. Service Office Locator https://s.nia.gov.cn/mps/views/query/wgraddress.html（National Immigration Administration）

5. Work Permit Guide https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202309/content_6902256.htm（Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security）

6. Individual Income Tax Declaration https://etax.chinatax.gov.cn （State Taxation Administration）

7. Driver's License Services https://www.122.gov.cn （Traffic Management Bureau, Ministry of Public Security）

XI. Important Notes

Terminology: The Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card is officially nicknamed the "Five-Star Card"

Permanent Residence Application: Full online processing is not supported; applications must be submitted to the exit-entry administration department of the local public security bureau at the city level.

Work Permit Application: The application must be submitted by the employer through the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security platform — applicants cannot apply through a personal account.

Accommodation Registration: There is currently no unified national online platform for accommodation registration; some cities have local pilot programs.

All links are official government channels — please verify the .gov.cn domain name for authenticity.

XII. Disclaimer

The above information is for reference purposes only. Please refer to the latest information published on the official websites of the respective competent authorities.

Source：Chinajob