Renew a China Residence Permit or Overstay
Steps to renew before expiry, the official fees by permit length, and what overstay or unauthorised work can mean for employees and students.
What it costs
| Figure | Period | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 元/人.次 | 外国人居留许可及增加偕行人（不满一年） | www.nia.gov.cn — 外国人居留许可及增加偕行人（不满一年） 400 元/人.次 | |
| 800 元/人.次 | 外国人居留许可及增加偕行人［一年（含）至三年］ | www.nia.gov.cn — 外国人居留许可及增加偕行人［一年（含）至三年］ 800 元/人.次 | |
| 1000 元/人.次 | 外国人居留许可及增加偕行人［三年（含）至五年（含）］ | www.nia.gov.cn — 外国人居留许可及增加偕行人［三年（含）至五年（含）］ 1000 元/人.次 | |
| 200 元/人.次 | 外国人居留许可减少偕行人 | www.nia.gov.cn — 外国人居留许可减少偕行人 200 元/人.次 | |
| 200 元/次 | 外国人居留许可变更 | www.nia.gov.cn — 外国人居留许可变更 200 元/次 | |
| 300 元/证 | 外国人永久居留证有效期满或内容变更的换发、补发 | www.nia.gov.cn — 外国人永久居留证有效期满或内容变更的换发、补发 300 元/证 |
In order
- Check the date — Look at the expiry date on your current residence permit and arrange renewal before it passes.
- Gather required documents — Prepare your passport, current permit, and employee or student documents requested by the issuing authority.
- File at the issuing authority — Submit the renewal before expiry at the exit-entry authority that issued the permit.
- Pay the renewal fee — Pay 400 yuan for under one year, 800 yuan for one year (inclusive) to three years, or 1000 yuan for three years (inclusive) to five years (inclusive), per person per time.
- If late, report now — If the expiry date has passed, go to the exit-entry authority in person instead of using the normal renewal process.
- Check the issued permit — Verify the expiry date, personal details, and work permission when you receive the new permit.
- Keep work and stay separate — Do not work if your permit does not authorise it, because that is a separate offence even when you have not overstayed.
Your residence permit shows an expiry date. Staying after that date is overstay, even if your job or studies continue. This guide covers where to file, the renewal fee, and the separate risk of working without permission.
When and where to renew
A China residence permit has an expiry date and must be extended before that date passes. File the renewal before expiry at the exit-entry authority that issued the permit. Take your passport, current permit, and the employee or student documents the authority asks to see.
Fee for one renewal
The fee depends on the validity period of the new permit. Under one year: 400 yuan per person, per time. One year (inclusive) to three years: 800 yuan per person, per time. Three years (inclusive) to five years (inclusive): 1000 yuan per person, per time.
If the permit expires
Overstaying is penalised per day, and the penalty has a ceiling. A job or school place does not remove an overstay, and renewal should be completed before the expiry date. If the date has already passed, report to the exit-entry authority in person and follow its instructions.
Work permission is separate
Working on a residence permit that does not authorise work is a separate offence from overstaying. Employees and students should check the permit’s work permission before starting any work or internship. Being allowed to stay does not by itself mean you are allowed to work.
Confirm before you act
Fees and processing times change. This page was checked on 2026-10-22; confirm the current rule with the authority named in each source above before you rely on a deadline.
Last checked 2026-10-22, next review 2027-04-20. Every figure above names its source and the date it was read. This page is a guide, not legal, tax or immigration advice — confirm with the authority before acting on a deadline.