Guide for Overseas Companies Doing Business in China (2025): Government Websites, Key Policies, Step-by-Step Operations and Notes

This practical guide assembles the principal Chinese government departments and official websites that overseas firms need when registering a company, handling tax filings, complying with labor rules, and applying for visas and work permits. It also summarizes the policy context you should monitor into 2025, offers concrete operational steps, and highlights important precautions .

Authoritative government sites (what to check first)

Note: For local approvals and filings (e.g., city-level business licenses, local tax registration, social insurance accounts), consult the municipal/regional bureau pages linked from the national portals above — registration and processing often depends on province or city.

Core policies and interpretations to monitor going into 2025

• Foreign Investment Law / Investment Access: The unified framework (post-2020) and the negative list approach remain the baseline. Check MOFCOM and NDRC for sector-specific guidance and updates on items that still require approval.
• Corporate and tax rules: Company Law and STA guidance govern entity types (WFOE, joint venture, representative office) and tax obligations (corporate income tax, VAT, withholding tax). Watch STA and local tax bureau notices for compliance deadlines and e-invoicing (fapiao) rules.
• Employment and social insurance: National labor standards are enforced by MOHRSS, while social insurance and housing fund contributions are handled locally. Look for guidance on local contribution rates and reporting platforms.
• Visa and work-permit regime: The NIA and local public security exit-entry bureaus publish procedures for Z-visas, work permits (R and Z categories), and residence permits. Changes to qualifications, document requirements, or online appointment systems are typically announced on NIA or municipal exit-entry portals.
• Foreign exchange and profit repatriation: SAFE issues rules on capital verification, profit repatriation, and foreign exchange registration — crucial for capital contributions, loans and dividend remittance.

Because administrative practice evolves, use the official websites above as the primary source for 2025 updates and authoritative interpretations.

Typical step-by-step operation for an overseas company (example: set up a WFOE and hire staff)

1. Decide entity type and market entry model (WFOE, JV, branch, representative office). Consult MOFCOM negative list and local investment promotion agencies to verify permitted activities.
2. Preliminary name reservation: Apply at SAMR or the local market regulation bureau for an approved company name.
3. Prepare registration documents: Articles of association, foreign investor ID, capital plan, lease agreement, legal representative ID. If investing via capital contribution, prepare SAFE registration paperwork after registration.
4. Register company with SAMR / local market regulator and obtain the business license (营业执照).
5. Open bank accounts: Corporate RMB account and possibly foreign currency account at a domestic bank (banks will require the business license and company chops).
6. Tax registration: Register with the State Taxation Administration local bureau. Apply for fapiaos, electronic invoicing, and establish VAT obligations. Complete enterprise tax registration and set up accounting systems aligned with PRC GAAP or IFRS requirements for subsidiaries.
7. Social insurance and housing fund: Register for employee social insurance and housing fund with local labor and social security bureaus and open contribution accounts.
8. Work permits and visas: For foreign employees, obtain a work permit (or work permit notification), apply for a Z-visa at a Chinese consulate if required, arrange entry and convert to a residence permit after arrival. Follow the NIA and local exit-entry bureau procedures for medical checks and document authentication.
9. Trade and customs compliance (if importing/exporting): Register with the General Administration of Customs, classify goods for tariff, and secure any special permits or product certifications (e.g., CCC certification where applicable).
10. Ongoing compliance: File tax returns (monthly VAT, quarterly CIT prepayments), annual reports via the enterprise credit system, and renew permits as required.

Notes (Key cautions and practical tips)

• Local variations matter: Many rules are administered at the municipal or provincial level — contribution rates for social insurance, local incentives, and processing times differ substantially.
• Documentation accuracy: Small differences in translation or notarization can delay approvals. Use certified translations and follow the exact document checklist on the agency portals.
• Meet the fapiao system requirements: Failure to issue or obtain compliant invoices damages input VAT claims and tax positions.
• Plan for foreign exchange filings early: Capital contributions, intra-group loans and dividend repatriation must meet SAFE requirements; late filings can constrain remittances.
• Employment contracts and employee classification: Misclassifying workers, or missing social insurance contributions, can generate fines and back payments. Keep employment records and proof of contributions.
• Data and cybersecurity compliance: If your business handles personal data or cross-border transfers, check Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) rules and local guidance for any sector-specific data controls.
• Use local advisers for interactions: Local tax firms, law firms and HR providers convert high-level rules into operational checklists and can help with municipal portals and fast-changing administrative rules.

Short case examples (practical lessons)

Tesla — fast-track foreign-owned manufacturing

Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory is a high-profile example of a foreign company securing local approvals and incentives to build manufacturing capacity in China. Success factors included alignment with local industrial policy, quick local government coordination on land and utilities, and careful foreign exchange planning for capital projects.

International services firm — register, hire, then expand

Many professional services companies start as representative offices or small WFOEs to comply with licensing, then expand by obtaining specific industry permits. The important lessons: ensure local tax registration early, implement payroll and social insurance correctly from day one, and retain documentation to prove lawful employment and insurance payments.

Quick checklist before market entry

• Confirm permitted business scope against MOFCOM negative list.
• Reserve company name and confirm local licensing needs via SAMR.
• Plan capital injection, SAFE registration and bank account opening.
• Register with STA and local tax bureaus; set up invoice (fapiao) processing.
• Register for social insurance and housing fund; prepare employment contracts.
• Arrange visas and work permits for foreign staff via NIA and local exit-entry bureaus.
• Maintain monitoring of national portals for policy changes and municipal pages for local rules.

For hands-on cross-border HR and administrative support, you may consider professional providers such as SailGlobal who specialize in out-of-sea human services and can assist with local compliance, payroll, and visa processes.

Final note: Official websites listed in this guide are the authoritative sources for any regulatory changes in 2025. Use them as the primary reference and confirm all major actions with licensed local counsel and tax advisers.