Working or running your own company

As an employee, you can usually focus on your job. Running your own company gives you more control, but also more responsibilities.

Your employer normally arranges company accounting, tax filings and day-to-day administration. With your own company, you are responsible for making sure those matters are handled, alongside workspace, staffing and business development.

If your company supports your work and residence applications, you also need to maintain evidence of genuine operations. This is particularly important for a one-person company, where your business activity and your employment are closely connected.

Plan beyond the first application: consider how you will operate the company and support future renewals. Scott can coordinate company administration so you can spend more time on your business.

No. You can apply through your own company, but company registration does not automatically grant work or residence rights.

The company must meet the applicable employer requirements, and you must qualify for the relevant work permit category and local application requirements. For the usual long-term employment route, you need both a work permit and a work-type residence permit.

Scott can assess your background, intended activities and preferred city before you commit to registration.

If residence is your main goal and you have not yet decided on a business, explore what to consider before opening a company →

Eligibility depends on your overall profile and the requirements of the application route. We start with your age, education, relevant work experience, proposed role and salary. We also review your previous stays and employment in China, including any relevant penalties or immigration issues.

A bachelor's degree and relevant experience are a common starting point, but they are not the only criteria used across all categories. Applicants without a degree, with limited experience or at an older age need a more individual assessment. Another city may be worth considering, but changing cities does not guarantee eligibility.

Think ahead if you are approaching 60

If you are approaching 60 and want to stay long term, assess future renewal options before investing in a company. Age requirements and available exceptions depend on the applicable category and local rules.

Category A has several qualification routes. Where a salary-based route applies, its threshold is tied to the relevant regional average wage; it is not simply an arbitrary salary commitment. A doctorate alone should not be treated as automatic qualification.

Assess whether the route is sustainable for you, not just whether a first application might be possible.

Maintain genuine business activity and records that explain what your company actually does.

In Scott's casework, applications and renewals may involve contracts, incoming and outgoing bank transactions, invoices, tax filings and valid office arrangements. Authorities may check whether these records are consistent with each other and with your role.

A new company's preparation and stage of development need to be considered individually. There is no single revenue or tax threshold that we can apply to every company and city.

No tax payable does not necessarily mean no business activity. Equally, transfers of money alone do not establish genuine operations. Keep records of the actual products or services delivered.