Reviewed by Scott, Scott Info Consulting · 1 November 2026
Open a company and get a work visa in Haikou
Opening a company in Haikou with your own work and residence permit costs $1,700–2,000 (about RMB 11,300–13,300) for the first year with our package. This includes a registered address and one year of bookkeeping. It takes about 5–8 weeks inside China, or 9–11 weeks from abroad. If your passport already has a Chinese entry stamp, you can register fully online.
What your money pays for
Your Haikou first-year package is $1,700–2,000 (about RMB 11,300–13,300). It covers company registration as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), a registered address for the first year, a company bank account with the FDI filing, tax registration, your work and residence permits, and one year of bookkeeping. A few costs are billed separately, listed below.
In our fees
- Registered address, first yearvirtual address or your own desk
- Company registration, business licence and 3 company stampsonline if you have a Chinese entry stamp
- Company bank accountincluding the FDI filing
- Tax registration
- First year of bookkeeping and tax filingsmall-scale taxpayer
- Work permit and system accountwith a visa
- Residence permitwith on-site support
Budget separately
- Private office, if you need onefrom $1,200 (about RMB 8,000) a year
- Medical check
- Document notarisation, apostille or legalisationas needed
- Document translationas needed
- International courieras needed
- Government residence permit feeabout RMB 400–800 (about $60–$120)
How the weeks add up
Inside China, the whole process takes about 5–8 weeks. From abroad, it takes about 9–11 weeks, including roughly two weeks for the Z visa. In Haikou, company registration is online and takes about one week. The work-permit system account takes 1 to 2 weeks and runs alongside the bank account. The work permit takes 2 to 4 weeks, and the residence permit 1 to 1.5 weeks.
| Step | Inside China | From abroad | You need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Register the company (WFOE, online) | About 1 week | About 1 week | Passport with a Chinese entry stamp, or apostilled / legalised documents |
| Bank account and FDI filing | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 weeks (on your behalf) | Original passport, if you do not attend |
| Work permit | 2–4 weeks (after 1–2 weeks system account) | Work permit notice, then Z visa | A degree (Category B), or Category C as the company’s legal representative |
| Residence permit | 1–1.5 weeks | After arrival in China | Work permit; government fee paid separately |
Inside China: about 5 to 8 weeks. Registering the work permit system account in Haikou takes 1 to 2 weeks and runs alongside the bank account; the work permit takes 2 to 4 weeks and the residence permit 1 to 1.5 weeks. Lighter bars show how long a step can take.
From abroad: about 9 to 11 weeks, including about two weeks for the Z visa. Visa times vary a lot between Chinese consulates. Lighter bars show how long a step can take.
Your route, step by step
Prepare your documents
- TimeA few days
- You needPassport with a Chinese entry stamp
Signatures are done online. Translation fees are paid separately.
Do I need to be in China to register a company in Haikou?
No. If your current passport has a Chinese entry stamp, registration is done fully online, including signatures. Your original passport is not needed and no notarisation is required. If you have never been to China, or your current passport has no Chinese entry stamp, you need your documents apostilled or legalised by a Chinese embassy.
Register the company
- TimeAbout 1 week
- AddressIncluded for the first year
We register your company as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) with the Haikou Administration for Market Regulation. Your package includes a registered address for the first year. It works for both your company and your work permit. You can choose one of three options:
Address option Cost per year Best for Virtual address About $500 (about RMB 3,000) Mostly foreign clients, few Chinese invoices Your own desk About $600–800 (about RMB 4,000–5,000), yours around the clock Chinese clients who will ask you for invoices Private office From about $1,200 (about RMB 8,000) Import and export with tax refunds How much does it cost to open a company in Haikou?
With your own work and residence permit, our package is $1,700–2,000 (about RMB 11,300–13,300) for the first year. It includes the registered address, registration, a company bank account with the FDI filing, tax registration and one year of bookkeeping as a small-scale taxpayer. The company alone is about $1,200–1,500 (about RMB 7,800–9,800). Not included: a private office if you need one, medical check, document notarisation or legalisation, translation, international courier and the government residence permit fee.
Do I need an office in Haikou?
No. The registered address in your package covers both the company registration and the work permit application, so you do not need to rent a separate office.
Open the company bank account
- AttendIn person or not
- We handleFDI filing
If you do not attend, the bank needs your original passport.
Can a foreigner open a company bank account in Haikou?
Yes, and you do not have to be there. You can attend in person or let us open it on your behalf. In that case, the bank needs your original passport. The account requires a foreign direct investment (FDI) filing, which we handle as part of the service.
Get your work permit
- Time2–4 weeks, after 1–2 weeks for the system account
- OfficeNot needed
In Haikou, the work-permit application starts with an account in the Service System for Foreigners Working in China. Registering that account takes 1–2 weeks.
Category B is more flexible in Haikou
Category B usually asks for a bachelor’s degree and two years of work experience. In Haikou, a strong degree can qualify even without the work experience. Category B renewals can be granted for up to one year at a time.
No degree? Category C as the company’s legal representative
In Haikou, the legal representative of your company can apply for a Category C work permit without a degree. You need to be between 18 and 60. From about 58, approval becomes noticeably harder. Category C renewals are granted for up to six months at a time.
Our service fees are the same as with a degree.
Can I get a work visa through my own company in Haikou?
Yes. Your company applies for your work permit like any employer. It works even if you are still abroad: you set up the company online, and your company then invites you to China. Check your points to see which category you may qualify for.
Can I get a work permit in Haikou without a degree?
Yes, as the legal representative of your company. Haikou allows a Category C work permit for the legal representative, for applicants aged 18 to 60. Approval gets harder from about 58, and Category C is renewed for up to six months at a time.
Get your residence permit
- Time1–1.5 weeks in China
You get your residence permit from the Exit and Entry Administration. Government visa fees are paid separately. If you apply from abroad, you first get a Z visa at a Chinese embassy, which adds time.
Can my family get visas if I work in Haikou?
Yes. Your spouse, children and some other family members can get family residence permits. The requirements depend on the family category (S1 or S2), so check which one applies before you prepare documents.
Every year after
- Every yearBookkeeping and address renewal
- Category BRenewed up to 1 year
- Category CRenewed up to 6 months
Government visa fees for renewals are paid separately.
What are the yearly costs after the company is set up in Haikou?
From year 2, budget about $1,000–1,500 (about RMB 6,500–9,500) a year. This covers bookkeeping and tax filing, your registered address, and your visa renewals. Category B is renewed once a year; Category C is renewed every six months. A general taxpayer pays more for bookkeeping. Government visa fees are paid separately.
What is required to renew my visa in Haikou?
Haikou looks mainly at your company’s bank account activity. You can handle renewals as the business owner; you do not need a local Chinese staff member to act on your behalf.
Why Haikou works for visa-focused owners
Haikou suits owners whose main goal is to live and work in China through their own company. It has three clear advantages:
- No degree, no high salary. The legal representative can use Category C, without the salary levels other cities ask for.
- Flexible Category B. A strong degree can qualify even without two years of work experience.
- Start from abroad. If you have been to China before, you register online and your company invites you, with no passport notarisation.
Haikou also has a start-up visa route, assessed case by case.
Is Haikou a good city for a foreigner to open a company?
Yes, especially if your priority is a work visa. Registration is fast and can be fully online. The work permit rules are more flexible than in many cities, and renewals focus on your company’s bank activity. The trade-off: Category C is renewed every six months, so you renew more often.
Package prices for our services, valid until December 31, 2026. Not included: a private office if needed, medical check, document notarisation or legalisation, translation, international courier and government visa fees. USD converted at about 6.69 RMB per USD. Your final quote follows a short assessment of your situation.