The average salary thresholds for category A and B work permits in Beijing and Shanghai have significantly increased and have been strictly enforced effective Feb. 5, 2026.

Key highlights:

Beijing: The new monthly salary threshold is CNY11, 937 (about US$1,728). For category B, the new annual salary standard is CNY572,976 (about US$82,938), and the new monthly salary standard is CNY47,748 (about US$6,911). For category A, the new annual salary standard is CNY859,464 (about US$124,407), and the new monthly salary standard is CNY71,622 (about US$10,367).

Shanghai: The new monthly salary threshold is CNY12,434 (about US$1,800). For category B, the new annual salary standard is CNY596,832 (about US$86,391), and the new monthly salary standard is CNY49,736 (about US$7,199). For category A, the new annual salary standard is CNY895,248 (about US$129,586), and the new monthly salary standard is CNY74,604 (about US$10,799).

The salary threshold increases will not only affect new applications for category A and some category B work permits but will also impact the renewal of category A and some B work permits.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2026 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United Kingdom announced a visa waiver for nationals of the U.K. and Canada visiting China, effective Feb. 17, 2026.

Key takeaways:

The visa waiver applies to ordinary passport holders from the U.K. and Canada.

The policy allows eligible travelers to enter China and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visiting family/friends, exchange and transit purposes.

The visa waiver policy is effect from Feb. 17 to Dec. 31, 2026.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2026 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a temporary public policy exempting certain FIFA-invited applicants attending the 2026 World Cup from the biometrics collection requirement.

Key takeaways:

Applicants eligible for the biometrics exemption must apply for a temporary resident visa to enter Canada between Nov. 25, 2025, and July 20, 2026, hold a letter of invitation from FIFA and not be associated with adverse information held or received by IRCC.

Eligible applicants may also include diplomats and government officials traveling on diplomatic or official passports.

This temporary public policy intends to safely simplify processing for FIFA delegates and invitees and expires on July 20, 2026.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2026 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The People’s Republic of China announced plans to allow British citizens to travel to China without obtaining a visa.

Key Points:

  • On Jan. 29, 2026, after a state meeting between Chinese and British leaders, the two governments shared plans for visa-free travel for U.K. citizens visiting China.
  • According to the U.K. government announcement, British citizens traveling to China for under 30 days on business or tourism will be eligible to visit the country without a visa.
  • The planned change for the U.K. aligns with China’s relaxed visa requirements for 50 other countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Japan.

Additional Information: All information reflects proposed changes, according to the government announcements. Implementation details for this plan are still pending. The final scope, timeline and procedures may differ from the current plan.

BAL will continue to monitor related developments and provide updates.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2026 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The National Immigration Initiative (NIA) announced several new immigration and entry-exit management service initiatives to streamline global travel procedures, including an electronic Arrival Card and more entry ports added to the visa-free transit policy.

Key Points:

  • Effective Nov. 20, 2025, foreign nationals may complete their Arrival Card electronically prior to entering China.
    • This can be done through the official NIA website, the Government Service Platform, the NIA 12367 mobile application or WeChat and Alipay mini programs accessed via QR code.
  • Effective Nov. 5, 2025, ten additional international airports are included in the 24-hour visa-free direct transit policy, allowing eligible travelers with confirmed onward tickets to a third country within 24 hours to transit through any of the identified airports without undergoing immigration inspection procedures, provided they do not leave the airport’s transit area.
  • Effective Nov. 5, 2025, five additional entry ports in Guangdong Province are included in the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, allowing citizens of 55 eligible countries to enter China visa-free through any of the designated ports for up to 240 hours (10 days), provided they only engage in tourism or social activities (no employment or study), hold a valid international travel document and have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Chinese Embassy in the United States published a notice on the launch of the new China Online Visa Application (COVA) System. Effective Sept. 30, 2025, the new form replaced the prior COVA application.

Key Points:

  • All new visa applications must be submitted using the new COVA System.
  • The updated application provides applicants with more convenience for filling out forms, uploading materials and tracking application status.
  • The embassy updated information on visa application requirements and procedures.
  • Applicants can review updated guidelines to submit a visa application here.

Additional Information: A new application review step by the Chinese Consulate aligns procedures with other consulate locations worldwide and increases total processing time by about one week. Expect delays as the consulates adapt to the updated process.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

China’s State Council is introducing a new visa category for eligible young science and technology professionals, effective Oct. 1, 2025.

Key Points:

  • The new K visa policy is being launched as an amendment to the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners.
  • K visa holders will experience more flexibility regarding number of permitted entries into the country, validity period of the visa and duration of stay.
  • To be eligible for the K visa, applicants must:
    • Hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) field
    • Be a young professional engaged in relevant education or research at a recognized university or research institution
  • Applicants for K visas do not require a domestic employer or entity to issue an invitation.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

Chinese officials announced the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom’s online visa processing system will launch March 31.

Key Points:

  • Embassy officials stated that applicants will soon be able to fill out forms and upload required materials to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.
  • Officials stated that all forms on the existing website will no longer be usable after a system upgrade on March 28.
  • As such, applicants with already filled out forms on the current website are requested to submit their materials to the Visa Center by March 28.
    • The system upgrade will be from 5 p.m. on March 27 to 9 a.m. on March 31. Officials recommended not filling out forms during this time to avoid information loss.

Additional Information: The Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong SAR also separately announced that the China Online Visa Processing System launched for these applicants on March 17. The development of an online visa processing system is designed to improve convenience for applicants, allowing them to upload application materials and track visa processing progress online.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

Chinese officials announced special visa facilitation for certain foreign nationals coming to Shanghai for business activities.

Key Points:

  • Authorities stated the new visa facilitation measures are for eligible foreign businesspeople who need to frequently visit China for business activities and have made positive contributions to Shanghai’s international business and trade cooperation.
  • Individuals may apply at a Chinese embassy or a consulate for a five-year multiple-entry M visa or an equivalent category visa with a 180-day stay.
  • Applicants must first receive a Special Visa Invitation Letter issued by the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office.

Additional Information: The special facilitation measures include exempting visa holders from fingerprint collection, allowing them to bring their spouse and children, and charging them only the fee for a one-year multiple-entry visa.

The Special Visa Invitation Letter application should be completed by the inviting organization on the official website of the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office. Eligible inviting organizations submit a written application to their local authorities or competent departments to be qualified. The Special Visa Invitation Letter should be issued within one week and no fee is charged for the processing.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

Chinese officials announced the stay duration for visa-free transit has been extended to 240 hours (10 days).

Key Points:

  • Officials published a notice regarding the visa-free transit policy, extending the stay duration for foreign nationals eligible for visa-free transit to 240 hours from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours.
  • Individuals from 54 eligible countries — including Brazil, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States — who are traveling from China to a third country can now enter China visa-free and stay within the allowed areas for no more than 240 hours.
  • Additionally, 21 ports of entry and exit have been added for visa-free transit, increasing the total number of open ports to 60 (from the previous 39).
  • The new policy also expands the number of provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) that can be visited to 24 provinces (from the previous 19).

BAL Analysis: Chinese government officials describe the policy as a relaxation and optimization of their visa-free transit policy that also demonstrates their commitment to promoting a high standard of opening and improved cultural exchange. In addition, the announcement highlights the priority of the government to accelerate cross-border flow, promote international communication and cooperation, and strive for high-quality development of the economy and society.

As BAL reported, the government also recently expanded its visa exemption policy to nine more countries. These efforts showcase a trend focused on immigration management that specifically updates policies to better facilitate entry and exit for immigrants and enhances the convenience for foreign nationals who want to study, work and live in China.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.