Everything You Need to Know About Sponsoring Your Own Visa

Hannah Feldshuh | Jul 23, 2019 3:01 pm | 1 comment | 1720 reads

Traditional channels to apply for a work visa in China require a job offer and sponsoring company in mainland China. However, as of Apr 1, 2017, the Chinese government combined the Alien Employment Permit and Foreign Expert Permit into a single document available to expats working in China.

Through this system, individuals who do not meet work experience or educational requirements can qualify for a work permit as an investor through establishing either a wholly-foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) or a joint venture (JV).

The process

  • You must first establish a WFOE in China as either an individual, or as a foreign enterprise.
  • In both cases, you must provide initial capital from an overseas bank account into the WFOE bank account based in China.
  • The amount of minimum registered capital varies drastically but is theoretically intended to be the amount that the business would require to break even. Registered capital is intended to show the Chinese government that your business can be operated successfully. Once invested, your registered capital can’t be removed from China.
  • You must find a Chinese citizen to serve as your primary contact or liaison. This person will be expected to receive updates and notices from the Chinese government.

Getting your own visa

  • If you establish your business as an individual investor the process is more direct. The investor will only need to provide an original passport, in addition to related documents.
  • For those establishing WFOEs as a foreign enterprise, a notarized business license and identification certificate or incorporation certification and registration certificate are required.

These changes are intended to provide additional avenues for investment and encourage entrepreneurship. Understanding and publicizing this policy channel are the primary barriers to its implementation. Despite existing in law since 2017, self-sponsorship is as of yet a little understood option.

READ: Everything You Need to Know About How to Get the Elusive Chinese Green Card

Photo: Reddit

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Cultural Keys's picture Cultural Keys Submitted by Guest on Wed, 07/24/2019 - 10:22

In both cases, you must provide initial capital from an overseas bank account into the WFOE bank account based in China.

Unless something has changed within the last month, you don't need to deposit the registerted capital when you first open the WFOE. You tell the goverment how long you need to invest the registed capital, such as 10 years, and then you have that long to deposit the cash from overseas.

You must find a Chinese citizen to serve as your primary contact or liaison. This person will be expected to receive updates and notices from the Chinese government.

With a Joint Venture, yes. But with a WFOE, no Chinese staff or representatives are required. A foriegner can be responsible for all aspects.

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