Global mobility COMPLIANCE
Travel to China safely and compliantly
Planning a workation in Shanghai? Or a business trip to Beijing or Guangzhou? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in China, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Download Compliance Guide for China
As an employer, there are many things you need to consider before sending an employee to Germany. A handy PDF downloadable for free.
What you can expect
Capital city
Beijing
Telephone code
+86
Official language
Standard Chinese (Mandarin)
Currency
Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY)
Time zone
UTC+8
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning an assignment, business trip or work-from-anywhere trips to China, here's a quick overview:
MUST-KNOW for Assignment in China:
- Tier Classification System (A/B/C): China classifies foreign workers into three tiers based on salary level, age, education, and language proficiency. Tier A benefits from expedited processing; Tier C faces the most stringent requirements.
- Document Authentication: All supporting documents must undergo multi-step legalisation before submission. This is a common bottleneck, plan well in advance of the intended start date.
- Medical Examination: Required for most long-term work permit categories; must be completed at a designated medical facility.
- 24-Hour Police Registration: All foreign nationals must register with the local public security bureau within 24 hours of arrival, including at hotels. Failure to do so can result in fines.
- Region-Specific Rules: Compliance requirements can vary significantly between provinces and municipalities.
Short Term Assignment: (Employer Sponsorship required)
- M Visa (Business Visa): Suitable for short-term commercial activities such as business meetings, negotiations, and inspections; typically granted for stays of 30–60 days.
- Visa-Free Entry: Citizens of 38 nationalities benefit from 30-day visa-free access as of early 2025, this does not permit paid work or project delivery.
Long-Term Assignment: (Employer Sponsorship required)
Typical Processing Time: 2-4 months end-to-end
- Z Visa (Work Visa): Required for all foreign nationals intending to work in China; must be applied for at a Chinese embassy or consulate before entry.
- Foreigner's Work Permit: Issued by the local human resources authority under the Tier A/B/C classification system.
- Residence Permit: Must be obtained within 30 days of arrival; combines the right to reside and work in China into a single document.
Business trips:
- Business Visa (M): Required for business activities
- Invitation Letter: Required for most business visas
- Multiple Entry Options: Available for frequent travelers
Need trip-specific visa information? Reach out WorkFlex Visa services.
Work-from-anywhere trips:
- Z Visa: Required for most work activities
- Business Visa (M): For commercial and trade activities
- Tourist Visa (L): Not suitable for any work activities
- Digital Nomad Visa: China does not currently offer a specific digital nomad visa program
Need trip-specific visa information? Reach out WorkFlex Visa services.
Working hours
Most employees in China work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 40 hours. The typical workday usually starts between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM and ends between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM, including a lunch break of about 1-2 hours.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
Get information about specific public holiday dates for this year here.
- January 1: New Year's Day
- January 28–February 3: Spring Festival / Chinese New Year (date varies annually)
- April 5: Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day) (date varies annually)
- May 1: Labour Day
- May 31–June 2: Dragon Boat Festival (date varies annually)
- October 1–7: National Day / Golden Week
- October 6: Mid-Autumn Festival (date varies annually)
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly. China has entered into numerous social security treaties with various countries to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance, access the list of countries here.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities. For WorkFlex users, the CoC is issued automatically after a trip request is submitted. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.
Tax compliance
China has signed bilateral tax treaties with numerous countries that specify the steps to take to avoid double taxation, available here. These treaties generally follow international standards and provide guidelines for various types of income, including employment income.
Despite the existence of many tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in China, whether for a workation or a business trip. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in the destination country, the employer may be required to register the company locally, allocate profits to the local business (branch), and file corporate taxes, leading to substantial administrative burdens.
To avoid this scenario, here are some key strategies:
If your employees are traveling for a workation, they should refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during the trip. Additionally, they should avoid visiting clients or any office, including the employer's local office in the destination country. Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risk for the employer related to permanent establishment.
If your employees travel for business, it may be impossible to refrain from the activities above. In this case, please make sure to inform your (tax) compliance department of this matter. If you and your organization are a WorkFlex user, this topic is covered through the WorkFlex platform.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to China are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards. See the recent information on minimum wage in China here.
Local emergency phone
110 (Police), 119 (Fire), 120 (Ambulance)
Vaccination
Guidelines
Drinking potable water
Not recommended
Travel health insurance
When traveling to China for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Domestic Political Situation
Xinjiang Region
Security measures in Xinjiang have been significantly heightened:
- Airport-like regulations: Applied to public transport; items such as liquids, lighters, and fireworks are prohibited.
- Increased police presence: Frequent personal, baggage, and passport checks, particularly in cities, at major traffic routes, and public spaces.
- Restrictions on movement: Foreign travelers may face questioning and surveillance, including at hotels. Uyghur descent or close connections in Xinjiang may attract additional scrutiny.
Precautions:
- Avoid photographing police, security forces, or installations.
- Prepare for in-depth checks of your smartphone and camera.
- Be aware of stricter entry scrutiny for certain backgrounds or affiliations.
Other Regions
- Demonstrations: Illegal without government approval, with serious penalties for participants.
- Internet controls: Services like Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, and X are blocked. VPN use is also prohibited.
- Monitoring: Foreigners, particularly in minority-inhabited areas or near Xinjiang and Tibet, may be under covert surveillance.
Recommendations:
- Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.
- Follow all instructions from security forces.
- Do not use VPN services in China.
Crime
China's crime rate is low, but petty crimes such as pickpocketing, robbery, and scams are reported:
- Recent knife attacks targeting foreigners in cities have been noted since late 2023.
- Fraud attempts via phone, sometimes impersonating the police, are common.
Safety Tips:
- Secure money, IDs, and essential documents. Keep digital backups.
- Always carry your passport with a valid visa.
- Use designated taxis or public transport. Avoid dubious offers or solicitations.
- Stay vigilant in crowded spaces like airports and train stations, and protect your valuables.
- Check prices before ordering and avoid leaving drinks unattended.
- Be cautious of emails, phone calls, or messages asking for personal information. Verify authenticity or contact the police if in doubt.
USE CASES
What assignments can you cover with the WorkFlex solution?
From Europe to Asia, Americas to Africa - WorkFlex handles compliance complexity for any country combination worldwide, covering all your international secondment scenarios
Long-term strategic deployments lasting 1-3 years to establish new entities, fill key management roles, or transfer critical expertise to international markets
Structured programs where employees work temporarily with partner organizations, subsidiaries, or different departments to share knowledge, develop skills, and build cross-cultural competency
Deployment of specialized teams to execute international projects, like system implementations, market launches, or technical installations. Often takes place in groups, requiring coordination of multiple compliance requirements simultaneously
Solution
Transform your approach to international assignments with WorkFlex
International assignments shouldn't overwhelm your HR team. Let WorkFlex automate the complexity
Get information about specific public holiday dates for this year here.
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Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
Hundreds of companies trust WorkFlex to handle business travel compliance
FEATURES
End-to-end assignment management across every phase
Assignment compliance assessment
Get instant evaluation of all 10 risk dimensions - visa, permanent establishment, wage tax/payroll, personal income tax, social security, labour law, posted worker regulations, data protection, health & safety, health insurance
Cost projection & Balance sheet
AI-powered cost calculations with real-time benchmarks for taxes, allowances, insurance, benefits, and relocation costs - no more expensive index data
HR task tracker
Step-by-step guidance on country-specific compliance requirements, pre-assessment tasks, and arrival procedures tailored to your assignment type
Assignment exploration chat
Unlimited compliance questions to human experts - explore scenarios and refine your assignment plan without consultant fees
Travel calendar & Compliance tracking
Monitor business trips, workations, and time off during assignments for seamless tax reporting and PE risk management
Vendor platform
Benefit from trusted partners for work permits, taxes, relocation, and insurance - all with access to complete assignment information throughout the assignment
Document repository
Centralized, secure storage for all assignment-related documents from A1 certificates to balance sheets with audit-ready organization
Real-time risk alerts and monitoring
Get instant alerts when political unrest, natural disasters, or health crises emerge
24/7 SOS support
Multilingual support connects you instantly to doctors and emergency coordinators
Travel health insurance
Medical coverage by ALH Group Hallesche added to every approved trip, worldwide
Repatriation management
Get step-by-step repatriation checklists covering tax obligations, immigration requirements, social security transitions, payroll changes, and residence registration, and more
Vendor & Timeline coordination
Reduce your workload with WorkFlex as your single point of contact - we manage all vendors, deadlines, and documentation for seamless employee and family returns
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We assume liability for social security, corporate and employment tax if risks emerge
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- Certified Dutch tax lawyer
- 16+ of global mobility compliance experience
- Former Tax Director at PwC
- Certified lawyer (Volljuristin)
- 25+ years of global mobility compliance experience
- Trainer at the People Mobility Academy
- PhD in European Law
- 12+ years of legal experience
- 8+ years of global mobility compliance experience
- Expertise in international assignment compliance
- Expertise in international assignment compliance
- 2+ years of global mobility compliance experience
- Certified Spanish tax lawyer
- 6+ years of legal experience
- 14+ years in travel risk and crisis response
- Ex-military
- 30+ years in healthcare leadership
- Healthcare risk management specialist with experience in patient safety, quality management, medical outcome assessments
- 6+ years of specialized emergency medical training
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- 16+ years in global security and crisis management
- Ex-military
