China's visa policy is generally formulated by the state, but the specific requirements and preferential policies implemented by provinces and cities will vary according to the needs of local economic development and the degree of opening-up. Such regional differences in policy give different regions the flexibility and autonomy to attract foreign talent, investment and business. This article will explore in detail the differences between different provinces and cities in terms of visas for foreigners, and how these differences affect people coming to China.
中国的签证政策总体上是由国家制定的，但各省市根据地方经济发展的需求和对外开放的程度，实施的具体要求和优惠政策会有所不同。这种政策上的区域差异给不同地区吸引外国人才、投资和企业提供了灵活性和自主权。本文将详细探讨不同省市对于外国人签证的差异，以及这些差异对来华人员的影响。
A unified policy at the national level
一、国家层面的统一政策
Before analyzing the regional differences, we first understand the visa types and basic requirements at the national level in China. According to China's Exit and Entry Administration Law, visas for foreigners to China are mainly divided into the following categories:
在分析区域差异前，我们先了解中国在国家层面上的签证种类和基本要求。根据中国出入境管理法，外国人来华的签证主要分为以下几类：
1. L Visa (Tourist visa) : for foreigners visiting China for a short time.
1. L签证（旅游签证）：供短期来华旅游的外国人使用。
2. M Visa (Business Visitor visa) : suitable for short-term business activities, such as meetings, visits, negotiations, etc.
2. M签证（商业访问签证）：适用于短期商务活动，例如会议、考察、洽谈等。
3. Z Visa (Work visa) : for foreigners working in China, including foreign executives, technicians, etc.
3. Z签证（工作签证）：供在中国工作的外国人，包括外籍高管、技术人员等。
4. X Visa (Study Visa) : for foreign students studying in China.
4. X签证（学习签证）：供来华学习的外国学生使用。
5.R visa (Talent visa) : A visa for foreigners who meet China's definition of "high-end talent", usually industry experts or people with special skills.
5. R签证（人才签证）：为符合中国“高端人才”定义的外国人提供的签证，通常是行业专家或有特殊技能的人才。
Under the unified policy framework, different provinces and cities may differ in terms of visa application, approval, and material requirements according to local conditions. These differences are mainly reflected in the simplification of application materials, the shortening of approval time, the expansion of visa types and some special treatment.
在统一政策框架下，不同省市在签证申请、审批、材料要求等方面可能会根据地方实际情况有所不同。这些差异主要表现在申请材料的简化、审批时间的缩短、签证类型的扩展以及某些特殊待遇上。
2. Differences in visa requirements among provinces and cities
二、不同省市的签证要求差异
1. Beijing: Stable policies and standardized procedures
1. 北京：政策稳定，程序规范
As the capital and political center of China, Beijing's visa policy is relatively stable and standardized, and policies at the national level are strictly implemented. For foreigners applying for Z visas, Beijing requires the applicant enterprises to have compliance qualifications, and requires foreign talents to provide detailed academic certificates and work experience materials. In addition, foreign high-end talents to apply for R visa in Beijing, need to pass the recommendation of municipal units and above, there is a relatively strict review procedure.
北京作为中国的首都和政治中心，其签证政策较为稳定和规范，严格执行国家层面的政策。北京对于申请Z签证的外籍人员，要求申请企业具备合规资质，并要求外籍人才提供详细的学历证明和工作经历材料。此外，外籍高端人才在北京申请R签证，需通过市级以上单位的推荐，有较为严格的审查程序。
Features:
特点：
- Strict implementation of policies and standardized procedures.
- 政策执行严格，程序标准化。
- Strict examination of educational background, work experience and other materials, and notarized documents are required.
- 对学历、工作经验等材料审核严格，需提供公证件。
- The approval of the High-end Talent Visa (R Visa) is complicated and requires a government recommendation.
- 高端人才签证（R签证）审批较为复杂，需获得政府推荐。
2. Shanghai: Open to the outside world, flexible visa policy
2. 上海：对外开放，签证政策灵活
As China's economic and financial center, Shanghai's visa policy is relatively flexible, aiming to attract high-end talents and multinational enterprises. The Shanghai municipal government has launched Aified management of work permits for foreigners, dividing them into categories A (high-end talents), B (professionals) and C (general personnel). For Category A talents (such as foreign executives or experts with senior management experience), the approval process is faster and the material requirements are simplified.
上海作为中国经济和金融中心，其签证政策相对灵活，旨在吸引高端人才和跨国企业。上海市政府推出了外国人工作许可分类管理，将外籍人员分为A类（高端人才）、B类（专业人才）和C类（一般性人员）。对于A类人才（如具有高级管理经验的外籍高管或专家），审批程序更快，材料要求更为简化。
In addition, Shanghai has introduced a "residence transfer to permanent" policy, allowing qualified foreigners with work-type residence permits to apply for permanent residence. Shanghai has also set up a special service center to provide foreigners with convenient services for visa application.
此外，上海推出了“居转永”政策，允许符合条件的持工作类居留证件的外国人申请永久居留。上海还专门设立了服务中心，为外籍人士提供签证申请的便利服务。
Features:
特点：
- Foreign high-end talents enjoy the "green channel", faster approval.
- 外籍高端人才享受“绿色通道”，审批更快。
- Hierarchical management of work permits, Class A talents enjoy more simplified procedures.
- 工作许可分级管理，A类人才享受更简化的手续。
- You can apply for permanent residence in China through the "Residence to Permanent Residence" policy.
- 可通过“居转永”政策申请中国永久居留权。
3. Shenzhen: Attracting entrepreneurs and focusing on innovative talents
3. 深圳：吸引创业者，注重创新型人才
As the technology and innovation capital of China, Shenzhen's visa policy focuses on attracting high-tech enterprises and entrepreneurs. In order to attract foreign entrepreneurs, Shenzhen has specially launched the "innovation and Entrepreneurship visa" (usually a variant of the R visa), which is designed to facilitate foreigners who come to Shenzhen to set up high-tech enterprises or participate in scientific and technological innovation projects.
深圳作为中国的科技创新之都，签证政策侧重于吸引高科技企业和创业者。深圳为吸引外籍创业者，特别推出了“创新创业签证”（通常为R签证的一种变体），专为来深创办高科技企业或参与科技创新项目的外国人提供便利。
Shenzhen also actively promotes cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao, and has special preferential policies for foreign residents of Hong Kong and Macao to apply for visas and residence permits, making the procedures more convenient. In addition, government agencies in Shenzhen have provided entrepreneurial support policies for high-end foreign talents, including financial support and tax incentives.
深圳还积极推广与港澳地区的合作，对于港澳的外国籍居民申请签证和居留证件有特殊的优惠政策，程序更为便捷。此外，深圳的政府机构还为外国高端人才提供了创业扶持政策，包括资金支持和税收优惠。
Features:
特点：
- The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Visa policy attracts entrepreneurs in high-tech fields.
- 创新创业签证政策吸引高科技领域的创业者。
- Simplified visa application procedures for foreign nationals from Hong Kong and Macao.
- 对港澳外籍人士的签证申请程序简化。
- Provide a variety of entrepreneurial support policies, including financial and tax incentives.
- 提供多种创业扶持政策，包括资金和税收优惠。
4. Guangzhou: Focus on business exchanges and simplify M visa application
4. 广州：注重商贸往来，简化M签证申请
As an important commercial city in southern China, Guangzhou's visa policy focuses on simplifying the procedures of foreign businessmen for business visits. For foreign businessmen applying for M visas in Guangzhou, the procedure is relatively simple, especially for those foreign company representatives who have long-term business dealings with enterprises in Guangzhou, the municipal government provides the convenience of multiple entry visas.
广州作为中国南方的重要商贸城市，其签证政策注重于简化外国商人的商务访问手续。广州对于申请M签证的外国商人，程序相对简便，尤其是对于那些长期与广州市企业有业务往来的外国公司代表，市政府为其提供了多次往返签证的便利。
Guangzhou also focuses on attracting foreign students, so the X visa application is relatively relaxed, for foreign students applying to study in Guangzhou universities, the material requirements are simplified, and the approval time is short.
广州还注重吸引外国留学生，因此在X签证申请上也相对宽松，对于申请到广州的高校留学的外国学生，材料要求简化，审批时间较短。
Features:
特点：
- Business Visa (M visa) application is simplified, multiple entry visa is easy to obtain.
- 商务签证（M签证）申请简化，多次往返签证容易获得。
- The requirements for X visa materials for foreign students are relaxed and the approval is faster.
- 对外国留学生的X签证材料要求较宽松，审批较快。
- Foreign business people who have long-term business dealings with local enterprises enjoy special privileges.
- 与本地企业有长期业务往来的外籍商务人士享有特殊优惠。
5. Hainan: international tourism island, visa-free entry
5. 海南：国际旅游岛，推行免签入境
As an international tourist island in China, Hainan has a relatively unique visa policy and implements visa-free entry policy. Foreign tourists from 59 countries can enter Hainan without a visa and stay for up to 30 days. In addition, Hainan has preferential visa applications for foreign investors and foreign technicians, aiming to promote the construction of free trade ports and attract foreign investment.
海南作为中国的国际旅游岛，其签证政策相对独特，实行入境免签政策。来自59个国家的外国游客可以免签入境海南，停留时间最长可达30天。此外，海南对外国投资者和外籍技术人员的签证申请也有所优惠，旨在推动自由贸易港建设和吸引外商投资。
Hainan's visa-free policy has not only promoted the development of tourism, but also attracted many foreigners to invest and start businesses here. For qualified foreign investors, the Hainan government provides a fast visa application channel.
海南的免签政策不仅促进了旅游业的发展，也吸引了不少外籍人员来此投资创业。对于符合条件的外籍投资者，海南政府提供了快速的签证申请渠道。
Features:
特点：
- Visa-free entry for visitors from 59 countries.
- 实行免签入境政策，适用于来自59个国家的游客。
- Preferential treatment for investor and skilled visa applications to promote the development of free trade ports.
- 投资者和技术人员签证申请享受优惠，促进自由贸易港发展。
- Rapid approval of tourist and investment visas and strong policy support.
- 旅游和投资签证审批快速，政策支持力度大。
Third, how to make use of regional policy differences to choose the right city?
三、如何利用区域政策差异选择合适的城市？
For foreigners, the choice of which city in China to apply for a visa and residence permit depends on personal purposes, occupation and life needs. Here are some suggestions:
对于外国人来说，选择在中国哪个城市申请签证和居留许可，取决于个人目的、职业和生活需求。以下是一些建议：
1. High-end tech talent and entrepreneurs: Choose Shanghai or Shenzhen
1. 高端科技人才和创业者：选择上海或深圳
Shanghai and Shenzhen are China's tech and innovation hubs, and visa policies are very favorable for high-end tech talent and entrepreneurs. The R visa is quick to approve and has many entrepreneurial support policies, which is suitable for foreigners who want to start a business or work in the technology sector.
上海和深圳是中国的科技和创新中心，签证政策对高端科技人才和创业者非常有利。R签证的审批快速，创业支持政策多，适合希望在科技领域创业或工作的外国人。
2. Business people: Choose Guangzhou
2. 商贸人士：选择广州
As a business center, Guangzhou is very friendly to business visa (M visa) applications. For those foreigners who frequently come to China for business activities, Guangzhou offers multiple entry visas, which are simple and suitable for business people.
广州作为商贸中心，对商务签证（M签证）的申请非常友好。对于那些频繁来华从事商业活动的外国人，广州提供了多次往返签证，手续简便，非常适合商业人士。
3. Investors and tourists: Choose Hainan
3. 投资者和旅游者：选择海南
Hainan's visa-free policy and preferential investment policies are very attractive to foreign investors and tourists. If you are interested in investing in the tourism industry or just taking a short-term trip, Hainan is a good choice.
海南的免签政策和投资优惠政策对外国投资者和旅游者十分有吸引力。如果你有意在旅游产业投资或只是短期旅行，海南是一个不错的选择。
4. Foreigners who want to settle down for a long time: choose Shanghai or Beijing
4. 希望长期定居的外籍人才：选择上海或北京
For expats who want to settle in China for the long term, Shanghai and Beijing offer relatively comprehensive "residence transfer" policies, which are suitable for professionals who want to develop in China for the long term. In particular, Shanghai's policy is relatively flexible, offering more opportunities to apply for permanent residence.
对于希望长期在中国定居的外籍人士，上海和北京提供了较为完善的“居转永”政策，适合那些希望在中国长期发展的专业人士。尤其是上海的政策相对灵活，提供了更多申请永久居留的机会。
4. Conclusion
四、结语
China's visa policy has been constantly adjusted with the rapid development of regional economy. While implementing the unified national policy, different provinces and cities have formulated differentiated visa requirements and facilitation measures according to their own development needs. Understanding these differences in regional policies can help foreigners choose the city that best suits their purposes and needs and successfully achieve their personal or professional goals.
中国的签证政策随着区域经济的快速发展而不断调整，不同省市在执行国家统一政策的同时，根据各自的发展需要，制定了差异化的签证要求和便利措施。了解这些区域政策的差异，可以帮助外国人选择最适合自己目的和需求的城市，顺利实现个人或职业目标。
I hope this article will provide useful information for foreigners who wish to work, invest, start a business or live in China. Choosing the right provinces and cities according to individual needs and taking full advantage of the special policies of each region can make the visa application process smoother, and also better integrate into Chinese society and start a new journey.
希望这篇文章能够为那些希望在中国工作、投资、创业或生活的外国人提供有用的信息。根据个人的需求选择合适的省市，并充分利用各地的特殊政策，可以使签证申请过程更顺利，也能更好地融入中国社会，开启新的旅程。
