How to Identify and Calculate Validity Period and Duration of Permitted Stay of Foreigners' Visas

1. The starting date of a foreigner's stay in China is usually the next day after the date of entry, and the date of entry is recorded on the admission stamp by the border inspection at port of entry. For foreigners entering China visa-free, the starting date of their stay is the same as the date of entry.

 
2. How to calculate the length of permitted stay of a Chinese visa, stay permit and permanent resident permit:
a. The duration of permitted stay of the visa issued by Chinese embassies and consulates as well as the Offices of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR is the next day after the date of entry plus the authorized duration of stay, which is marked by "duration of stay or "days after entry" on the visa.
b. The duration of permitted stay of visa issued by Chinese public security authorities is marked in the remarks column. It is usually marked in one of the following two ways: "permitted to stay untill yyyy/mm/dd" or "permitted to stay untill yyyy/mm/dd for this time, and to stay for XX days each time since the next entry." For the first exit, the duration of stay is subject to the date of “permitted to stay until”. From the second entry, the duration of stay shall be the next day after the date of entry plus the permitted duration of stay;
c. After entry, if a foreigner is issued a zero-entry visa or stay visa by Chinese public security authorities due to visa extension, change and re-issuance, separation from the tourist group, or stay permit issuance and re-issuance, the end date of the permitted stay in China for the visa holder shall be marked in the remarks column as "permitted to stay until yyyy/mm/dd;
d. The date in the "valid until" column of the residence permit of a foreigner is "duration of stay", which is also the end date of the permit holder's residence in China;
e. The validity period of a foreigner's permanent residence permit is the end date of the permit holder's residence in China.
 
3. Foreigners with APEC Business Travel Cards are allowed to stay in China for 60 days per entry.
 
4. The duration of stay of foreigners from countries that have concluded mutual visa-free agreements with China shall be determined by the bilateral agreements. The duration of stay of foreigners who are granted unilateral visa exemption by the Chinese government is determined in accordance with the regulations of the Chinese government.
 
5. For foreigners who apply for temporary entry permit, the duration of stay is marked on the temporary entry permit.
 
6. For foreigners holding Certificate for Personnel on Diplomatic Mission, Certificate for Administrative and Technical Staff, Certificate for Employee of an International Organization and the Residence Permit, the duration of stay is the same as the validity period of the certificate.
 
7. For departing tourist group members being sub-grouped at a frontier inspection station, the duration of stay is subject to the date on the "stay stamp".
 
Notice: The English version is only for reference. To learn more, please refer to the authoritative Chinese version.