Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-china

Change description : 2026-03-06 09:43:00: Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. [Foreign, Commonwealth & Development OfficeGuidance and regulation]

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Guidance

Living in China

Information forabout British citizens moving toto, living or livingretiring in China,China including guidancevisas, onworking, residency, healthcare and travel. driving.

This

Getting guidehelp setswith outliving essentialin informationChina 

Help forfrom Britishthe citizensChinese government 

For any questions about moving to or living in China.China, Readyou aboutmay howbe our Britishable Embassyto inget Beijing,help Britishfrom Consulates-Generalthe:

You shouldcan getalso definitiveread information from the Chinese authorities.government’s Theguidance on moving Foreign,to CommonwealthChina and living & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information. China.

SupportThe forUK government, the British NationalsEmbassy Abroadin Beijing, setsand British outConsulates-General howin China, cannot Britishgive nationalspersonalised canadvice stayon safemoving abroadto, living or andretiring howin China.

Professional thehelp FCDOin China 

You can also get help iffrom English-speaking professionals youin doChina, get into difficulty. including:

Help encouragefrom British nationals in China to sign up for Travel Advice email alerts and to follow the UK ingovernment

Read Chinathe travel onadvice socialfor China to mediaunderstand including Facebook and Twitter;the WeChatrisks usersyou may searchface forif ‘UKyou Consular’live toin signor upvisit China. forThis newsincludes alerts.the Therelatest you will find information on:

  • visas and newsentry forrequirements 

  • laws Britishand nationalscultural in China.differences

    Before

  • safety youand gosecurity 

SeeRead our Travelguidance adviceon moving, forliving Chinaor forretiring up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergenciesabroad.

See OverseasGet Businesshelp Riskfrom forthe China forUK informationgovernment onabroad, keyincluding securityin andan politicalemergency.

Visas, residency and riskscitizenship

Make whichsure UKyou businessesmeet maythe entry facerequirements whenfor China before operatingyou in China.travel.

Visas and residency

residence permits 

Check the Entrywhich visa requirementsor forresidence Chinapermit in you ourneed travelto advice.live in China.

You can findget Chinesea Visavisa Informationto:

 If foryou awant visa to enterextend Chinayour visa:

For more detailed information on Entry-Exit Policies.information:

Registering

Criminal record with the Public Security Bureau

checks

ForeignTo nationalsapply infor Chinaa mustresidence or registerwork permit theirin temporaryChina, residenceforeign withnationals themust Publicprovide Securityproof Bureau(PSB)of afterno arrivingcriminal inrecord. For themore country.information:

If you work or theplan personto whowork provideswith accommodationchildren, mustyou registercan yourselfalso atapply theto nearestACRO policefor stationan International withinChild 24Protection hours of your arrival in the accommodation.Certificate (ICPC).

PeopleThe shouldChinese alsogovernment bemay awareask thatfor youyour criminal arerecord requiredcheck to tobe re-registerlegalised. Our whenguidance youon documents movefor residence,British renewpeople passportabroad covers orlegalising visa and perhapscertifying eachUK timedocuments.

For youinformation returnon fromhow ato tripget abroada orcriminal triprecord outsidecheck ofin theChina, cityread youguidance areon criminal residing.records Pleasechecks contactfor theoverseas localapplicants

Registering PSBas fora furtherresident 

Once confirmation if you havearrive, anyyou must register questionsyour address in China regardingwith the Public thisSecurity registrationBureau process.

Passports(PSB). You andmust travel

Youdo can applythis forwithin or24 renewhours yourof Britisharriving passport and getin anChina. If emergencyyou travelare document fromstaying China.

Healthcare in China

Visita the Health sectionhotel, ofthey ourshould Traveldo Advicethis page for detailedyou. Otherwise, adviceyou oncan medicalcomplete services,the vaccinationsregistration and health risks in China.process: 

Health
  • at insurance

PSB police station window 

  • Thereat isa noforeigner’s reciprocalservice healthcarestation 

  • online agreementsthrough betweena the‘self-service UKdeclaration andsystem China.for Youforeigners areaccommodation encouragedregistration’ specific to arrangeyour medical care and insurance before you travel.area

  • IfYou youmust arekeep residentyour inregistration Chinaup ensureto youdate. haveRules takenvary outdepending anon appropriatewhere health insurance policy. If you arelive. aCheck visitor,if arrange comprehensive travel insurance before you travel.need Maketo re-register sureeach yourtime policy covers the following:you:

    • an

      move air ambulance, in case you need to be flown home by this means

    • house

    • full medical cover (medical bills can be expensive)
    • repatriation

      renew of your remainspassport inor the event of deathvisa 

    • repatriation

      return ofto your familyaddress inafter thetravelling eventabroad itor is necessary for you to returna homedifferent duecity toin illness or injuryChina 

    NOTE:For UKmore Travelinformation on registering, insuranceread providersthe Chinese willgovernment’s notguidance generallyon moving coverto your healthcare costs if you live overseas.China

    Medical emergencies

    If you needhave emergencyany medicalproblems assistanceor whilstquestions inabout China,registering dialyour address, 120contact:

    Permanent slowresidency

    You to arrive and may notbe haveable trainedto responders.apply Youfor shouldpermanent contactresidency (D yourvisa) in China insurance/medicalif assistanceyou companymeet asthe sooneligibility ascriteria.

    To possiblefind toout informif you’re eligible themand ofhow whatto hasapply:

    MedicineCitizenship

    IfChina youdoes arenot onrecognise dual acitizenship. prescriptionThis formeans anythat you medicationmay have youto give shouldup ensure(renounce) youyour haveBritish acitizenship to become supplya Chinese ofcitizen.

    Read it,guidance oron nationality are able to obtain it when in China.China for Certainmore medicinesinformation, mayincluding notfor bechildren availableborn in ChinaChina. 

    To (includingfind majorout brandsif you’re eligible readilyfor Chinese citizenship:

    • read availableguidance in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. See information on bringinghow medicationto intobecome China froma the Chinese government website.citizen 

    • Youcontact shouldthe Chinese consultEmbassy yourin GPLondon 

    • contact beforeMunicipal travellingPSB to ChinaExit-Entry toAdministration findin outyour about any alternative medication.area 

    • Readcontact the NHSChinese guidance ifNational youImmigration need to travel with medicines.Administration 

    HealthHelp andwith safetyvisa, residency and standardscitizenship applications 

    HealthThe andBritish safetyEmbassy regulationsin areBeijing, notand British alwaysConsulates-General enforcedin China, cannot tohelp thewith Chinese visa, residency or standardcitizenship ofapplications.

    For theany UK.questions Youor shouldissues, becontact:

    Passports fireand exits where you stay.

    travel 

    IfRead youour liveguidance inon moving, China,living ensureor yourretiring homeabroad. hasThis bothcovers ahow workingto: 

    • apply firefor alarm and a workingBritish carbonpassport monoxidefrom alarmabroad 

    • travel installed.urgently Therewithout haveyour beenBritish incidencespassport 

    Dual ofcitizens carbontravelling monoxide poisoning due to incorrectlythe installedUK 

    When gastravelling equipment,to includingthe oneUK, thatBritish causedcitizens themust deathcarry of a valid British national.

    Listpassport or certificate of hospitalsentitlement. inRead China

    listguidance ofon dual hospitalscitizenship

    Healthcare &in China 

    Read otherour medicalguidance serviceon moving, providersliving inor Chinaretiring abroad. PleaseThis notecovers thathow inclusionto:

    • plan inyour thishealthcare 

    • take listmedicine abroad 

    China does not constitutehave a officialreciprocal endorsementhealth byagreement thewith British Embassy or the UK government.UK.

    List of funeral directors in China

    AMake listsure of funeralyou directors whohave appropriate mayhealth insurance be able to assistcover inany internationalhealthcare repatriation,costs. andYou funeralcan servicesget ininsurance China.from Chinese Pleaseor noteinternational thatproviders. If inclusionyou work in thisChina, listyour doesemployer notmay constitutealso officialenrol endorsementyou byin thea Britishhealth Embassyinsurance or the UK government.scheme.

    Working

    Read about healthcare in China

    If youin arethe planningChinese togovernment’s moveguidance on moving to China

    To andfind work,out youhow willto needget amedical visatreatment:

    CriminalWorking Record Checksin China 

    China’sRead visaour regulationsguidance stateon moving, thatliving proofor ofretiring noabroad. This criminalcovers working recordabroad, isincluding requireddocuments foryou foreign nationals applying for a work or resident permit. The Chinese government may askneed forfrom your Criminal Record Check to be legalised. Please note the BritishUK Embassygovernment.

    To andwork Consulatesin China, you cannotneed a work providevisa and thiswork servicepermit. To norget cana wework certify,visa notarise, or authenticatework Criminalpermit, Recordyou Checks.must Guidancehave:

    For Britishmore peopleinformation, abroadread page.the entry Torequirements obtain a criminal record check for useChina.

    You incan China,also coveringread timeguidance spent in the UK you can:on:

    Recognition The ICPC isof aqualifications 

    If policeyou checkwant available to overseaswork schoolsin China, andyou organisationsmay withneed no formal link to theget UK,your whoforeign arequalifications recruitingrecognised. 

    For Britishmore nationalsinformation, ask (oryour anypotential nationalemployer. 

    Driving whoin China 

    Read hasour spentguidance timeon moving, living inor theretiring UK)abroad. This tocovers workhow withto: 

    • drive children;abroad notelegally 

    • take that you, not your employer,UK mustvehicle apply for an ICPC - employers can ask you to provide an ICPC.abroad

    • or

      get candriving contactlicence the Disclosureletters 

    Read andabout Barringroad Service (DBS)travel toin China, checkin safety theand informationsecurity fromin the Disclosuretravel andadvice Barringfor China. ServiceThis (DBS -includes formerlyinformation theon Criminaldriving Recordsin Bureau)China, toincluding seedriving iflicence a DBS checkrules. 

    The Chinese isgovernment provide suitableinformation foron youdriving orin China, your employer’s requirements guide. including:

     For Britishmore nationalsinformation, withcontact proofyour oflocal Vehicle noAdministration criminalOffice in record.China.

    Disabled drivers 

    If you wishhave toUK obtainBlue aBadge and criminallive recordin China, clearanceyou frommust thereturn Chineseit authorities,to youthe willoriginal needUK toissuing applyauthority. 

    Money forand abanking

    Foreign Certificatenationals ofcan Noopen Criminalbank Recordaccounts (Wuin FanChina Zuiif Jithey Lumeet Zhengcertain Mingcriteria. 外国人无犯罪记录证明)For frommost thebanks Chineseyou authorities,will suchusually asneed localto:

    • be Exitaged and18 Entryto Administration65 years 

    • have bureaus,full localcivil Policecapacity

    • have Stationsa legal and Notarystable Publicincome

    Speak offices.to Ifthe youbank haveto livedfind inout differentexact cities/provinces,requirements. 

    Tax

    Read youour mayguidance needon moving, toliving obtainor aretiring Certificateabroad. ofThis Nocovers Criminaltax, Recordincluding frompaying eachUK oftax thoseand placesNational youInsurance.

    The haveUK resided.has Thedouble Britishtaxation Embassyagreement andwith China so Consulates-Generalthat cannotyou providedo suchnot apay certificatetax foron yourthe timesame income in China.both countries. 

    Business

    IfContact youthe Chinese travelState toTaxation Administration for China to do business of any sort,questions itabout isdouble importanttaxation torelief. 

    Consider begetting awareprofessional ofadvice theon paying riskstax involvedin China. inTo doingdo so.this, Youfind canan English-speaking readlawyer more on Overseas Business Risk Chinain China.

    Studying in ChinaPensions 

    If

    Claiming youyour planUK topension 

    Read studyour inguidance China,on moving, youliving mustor meetretiring allabroad. visaThis requirementscovers:

    • how beforeto youclaim travel.your PleaseUK contactState Pension 

    • where the ChineseUK Embassygovernment aboutpays detailsan onannual visaincrease requirements.in Contact the relevantState higher education provider in China to check what fees you have to pay.Pension 

    Claiming a Chinese pension 

    BritishYou nationalsmay holdingbe studentable visasto areclaim nota allowedChinese topension takeif upyou employment.have Internshipsworked needand topaid besocial registeredsecurity contributions in withChina. If theyou localwork authoritiesin andChina, endorsedyour onemployer the visa.

    Tax

    You should getenrol professionalyou advicein onthe payingstate taxsocial insecurity China.scheme. Read Findguidance anon social Englishinsurance speaking lawyer in China.

    ReadTo thefind guidanceout about:

    Deaths

    Read Chinaour andguidance oneon moving, parentliving isor Chineseretiring national, you can find more information on nationality in Chinaabroad. This covers:

    Deaths

    If someone dies inin China, read China read our guidance on:on: 

    MarriageMarriages and civil partnershippartnerships

    FindRead out howour youguidance canon moving, getliving married or getretiring a civil partnership abroad

    You. mayThis alsocovers need:

    Documentshow for British people abroad - GOV.UK

    Pets

    China has several different requirements in order to importget dogsmarried or cats,form includinga proofcivil ofpartnership rabiesabroad.

    For vaccination,more vet-approvedinformation healthif certificates,you Chinaare exportBritish documentation,and mandatorygetting quarantine,married etc.to Regulationsa changeChinese oftenperson and differ by point of entry,the soopposite bestsex, tosee checkour withguidance aabout getting companymarried that specialises in internationalChina.

    The petBritish travelEmbassy orcan relocation. Themarry costcouples ofwho havingare: 

    • both yourBritish and of petthe same comeor opposite withsex 

    • one youBritish toand Chinaone non-Chinese person willof varythe byopposite typesex 

    • one British and sizethe other of animal,any countrynationality, ofincluding origin,Chinese, use of athe professionalsame pet moving company etc.sex 

    YouSame-sex canmarriages only bring one pet per adult, and incivil mostpartnerships citiesare likenot Beijing,legally yourecognised canin China. For onlyinformation registerabout oneLGBT+ petrights perin China, householdread address.guidance Biggeron safety dogs and specificsecurity breedsin thatthe aretravel deemedadvice violentfor China.

    Divorce are banned from major Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

    separation 

    ThereRead areour alsoguidance specialon moving, regulationsliving toor considerretiring for bringing your pets back to the UKabroad.

    Bringing petsThis withcovers youhow to Chinaget cana bedivorce expensiveor andend stressful,a socivil itpartnership.

    The Chinese maygovernment offers onlyguidance makeon divorce senseregistration to bring your pet if you are staying in China

    Consider fortaking alegal longeradvice periodfrom ofan English-speaking time.lawyer Get all the information about importing and exporting your pet before making the decision.in China.

    Emergencies

    DialDocuments 110 for theBritish policepeople and all emergencies. Dial 120 for ambulance. Dial 119 for fire brigade.

    in China 

    IfRead youour haveguidance beenon documents the victim of a rape or sexual assault in China, read the information for victimsBritish ofpeople rape and sexual assault in Chinaabroad.. This See alsocovers:

    Ifmarriage you’reand thecivil victimpartnership of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact thedocuments 

    Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.

    ReturningLawyers, translators and to the UKnotaries

    ReadTo thefind guidancean on returningEnglish-speaking tolawyer, the UK permanently whichtranslator includesor informationnotary onin China, read bringingguidance familyon professional members,services taxif andyou’re access to services.abroad.

    Guides we producePets 

    WeIf alsoyou producewant guidesto forbring Britishyour nationalspet whowith need information about services that are not provided by our Consulates, but that you mayto China, read findguidance useful in specific circumstances.on:

    Pet inimportation rules China -change includingoften detailsand can differ depending ofon whowhere you needenter toChina. talkCheck towith anda whatcompany documentsthat youspecialises may require

  • Bereavement in China –international includingpet informationtravel onor supportrelocation availablefor andexact actionsrequirements.

    You tocan beonly takenbring followingone thepet deathto of a British national

  • British passports in China – includingper informationadult. onIn supportmost availablecities, iflike youBeijing, lose passport in China and visa expires before you getcan aonly newregister passport
  • Nationalityone inpet China –per includinghousehold briefaddress.

    Bigger informationdogs nationalityand issuesspecific inbreeds China

  • Medicalthat treatmentare considered violent inare China –banned includingfrom informationmajor onChinese ancities overviewlike ofBeijing medical treatment in China and onShanghai. 

    Returning supportto available from the FCDO

  • InformationUK

    Read returning forto victimsthe ofUK rapepermanently. andThis sexualincludes assaultinformation inon China -bringing includesfamily advicemembers onback reportingto the crimeUK, tax and access to theservices.

    Disclaimer

    We police,provide accessingthis medicalinformation treatmentas anda engagingguide withonly. For thedefinitive legalinformation, authoritiescontact inthe Chinese authorities.

    Read our consular China

  • information disclaimer.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 March 2013

    Last updated 6 FebruaryMarch 20252026 + show href="#full-history">+ show all updates
      1. Info updated on 'Living in China' page

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    Update history

    2026-03-06 09:43
    Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.

    2025-02-06 03:10
    Info updated on ‘Living in China’ page

    2025-01-20 10:25
    Advice added on how to prove that British passport numbers change when renewed or replaced.

    2024-01-30 03:43
    Added ‘Mental health support for British nationals in China’

    2023-02-02 06:15
    Updated ‘Living in China’ page