Yes. China has no education requirement for registering or owning a company. A foreigner without a degree can be the shareholder and, in most cases, the legal representative of a wholly foreign-owned company.
The degree only matters if you also want to work and live in China through that company. That needs a work permit, and the most common route asks for a bachelor’s degree. There are other routes, which this guide explains.
What registration actually checks
When you register a company, the authorities look at the company, not your education. They check:
- Your passport and identity documents, sometimes notarised and apostilled or authenticated
- The business activities you plan, and whether foreign investment is allowed in them
- A registered address that meets local rules
- The shareholders, the legal representative and the registered capital you choose
None of these ask for a diploma. See the registration steps and what it costs.
Working in your own company without a degree
Owning a company does not give you the right to work in China. Your company has to apply for a work permit for you, just like any employer. Without a degree, these are the realistic routes:
A score of 60 or more qualifies for Category B even without a degree. Salary, experience, age, months worked in China and Chinese language all add points. Calculate your score.
Internationally recognised vocational qualifications, or skills in short supply, are a separate Category B route.
Some cities have local policies that let the legal representative of a foreign-invested company apply for a Category C work permit. Where it exists, it is a common route for owners without a degree.
An example of the points route
A 32-year-old owner with no degree, 8 years of experience, working in China all year and holding HSK 3:
| Factor | Salary RMB 250,000 | Salary RMB 350,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | 14 | 17 |
| Education | 0 | 0 |
| Work experience (8 years) | 11 | 11 |
| Months per year (12) | 15 | 15 |
| Age (32) | 15 | 15 |
| Chinese (HSK 3) | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 58 · below the B line | 61 · Category B |
The salary you declare must be real and supported by the company’s tax records later, so set it at a level your business can sustain.
What we recommend
- Check your work permit route first. Before paying for registration, confirm which route you can use in your city.
- Choose the city with that route in mind. Local policies differ, especially for legal representatives.
- Register the company and start real business activity. The work permit application relies on a company that genuinely operates.
- Apply for the work permit and residence permit. Plan for about one to two months once your documents are ready.
The most expensive mistake is registering a company in a city where none of your work permit routes is available.
Related questions
Can I be the legal representative without a degree?
Usually, yes. The legal representative must be legally eligible for the role, but there is no education requirement. The role carries legal responsibilities, so understand them before you accept it.
Does a vocational certificate count instead of a degree?
It can. In the points table, a top-level internationally recognised vocational certificate scores like a doctorate, a technician certificate like a master’s and a senior skilled worker certificate like a bachelor’s. It must be genuine and verifiable.
I have a degree from my home country. Does it need anything?
Yes. Degrees obtained outside mainland China need to be authenticated for a work permit application. Start early, because this is often the slowest document to prepare.
Can I stay in China on a business visa while I run my company?
A business visa lets you visit for business, not work in China. Meeting suppliers or attending fairs is fine; running your company day to day from China needs a work permit and residence permit. Read about work rights.
Sources: Who are Foreign Professionals? Shanghai Municipal Government; Understanding China’s work permit points system, Shanghai Municipal Government, August 2026. This guide explains general practice. Requirements depend on your city, nationality and circumstances, and the authorities make the final decision.