Source: https://tianjin.goexpats.com/biz-info/china-s-new-visa-law-and-permits-regulations
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 01:58:38+00:00

Document:
Residence Permits: The residence permits (居留证件) to foreign nationals seeking to reside in China is issued by the PSB exit-entry office. For the purpose of taking up residence applicants abroad for J1, Q1, R, S1, X1, and Z visas intend to enter China by applying to PSB within 30 days of entry. Instead of visa, a residence permit can be used to enter China. (EEAL, art. 22).
Persons transiting through Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing or Chengdu within 72 hours.
Persons required by to depart or ordered deported will be issued stay certificates authorizing their exit.
Persons who renounce PRC nationality.
Persons whose residence permits have been cancelled who wish to remain in China for up to 30 additional days as a “grace period” to travel wrap up their affairs in China.
On Handling PRC Visa Applications (申请办理中华人民共和国签证须知) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a bilingual Notice spelling out China’s new visa classifications. Details are listed below.
Issued to foreign crew members of aircraft, trains, and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or to the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships.
Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours, and other activities.
Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.”Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. “Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
1. Residence permits for employment, A person entering on a Z (work) or R (talent) visa would apply for this type. This is issued to foreigners who will work in China.
2. Residence permits for study, A person entering on an X1 (student) visa would apply for this type.This is issued to foreigners who will study in China.
3. Residence permits for journalists,. A person entering on a J1 (journalist) visa would apply for this type.This is issued to foreign journalists who reside in China on behalf of permanent offices of foreign news agencies.
4. Residence permits for family reunion, A person entering on a Q1 visa would apply for this type.This is issued to persons seeking to reside in China with Chinese citizen or permanent resident relatives, or who need to live in China for foster care.
Same period as shown on the certification documents of enrollment (but not shorter than 180 days).
For an applicant under age 18 or over age 60, not longer than 3 years. (But for a person under age 18, the expiration date can’t exceed their 18th birthday). For others, from 180 days to 1 year.
*The cumulative time of all extensions should not exceed the originally allotted period of stay as shown on the visa for a person granted an extension of stay. (EEAL, art. 29). The cumulative period of stay since the date of the current entry should not exceed one year for a person granted a new visa classification. (Beijing provisional rules).
Who needs a medical exam?
Foreigners coming to China for residence one year or longer should get a medical exam, when applying for visas at the Chinese embassy or other visa issuing agency abroad, under prior rules.(2010 Implementing Rules, art. 6). While this is no longer a requirement under the new regulations.
A provision in the draft regulations (art. 22) that would have exempted minors under age 16 from the medical exam is not adopted in the new regulations. While, local rules may have the same result. For example, Beijing doesn’t require a medical exam from applicants under age 18.
The exam is valid for 6 months (State Council regs, art. 16) as in the past, so it may be possible to use the same certificate as used for the employment license. The regulations don’t require a medical from applicants extending a residence permit, changing from one type of residence permit to another, or replacing a residence permit. (State Council regs, art. 17).
Z visas be reserved for positions for which the employer has a “special need” and that is currently a “shortage” occupation in China , according to the existing rules. . (1996 regs on the Employment of Foreigners, art. 6).These rules are vague and uneven. As per the new law, various departments should cooperatively formulate and periodically adjust a guidance list regarding special need / shortage occupations. A list should be prepared based on the supply of and demand for human resources, as well as economic and social development needs. (Art. 42). Yet no such list has been published. It is unaware of how the new law will be interpreted and enforced.
It is well known fact that , R visas will be issued to foreign high-level talents that China needs and to specialized talents that are urgently needed due to short supply. . (State Council regulations, arts. 6(9), 7(9)). A provincial level department or higher make the determination that a foreigner qualifies (art. 9(9)), but that requirement was deleted from the final regulations required by the draft State Council regulations. The State Administration for Foreign Expert Affairs need to issue more rules to define their requirements and procedures, before R visas can be issued. Meanwhile, foreign experts will continue to apply for Z work visas under current rules.
Who needs a criminal background check?
The new law and State Council regulations don’t specifically require a criminal background check. In fact, while the draft State Council regulations required submission of a “certificate of no criminal conviction” at the visa application stage (art. 8), that was dropped in the final regulations (art. 7). Still, agencies have the power to create rules requiring a criminal background check. For example, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security has announced that employment license applicants will need to submit a “certificate of no criminal conviction” (also known as a police clearance letter) from their country of residence, effective July 1. Beijing joins other cities, such as Suzhou and Nanjing, which already have similar requirements in place.
A criminal background check is not required as per the new law and State Council regulations. At the visa application stage, the draft State Council regulations required submission of a “certificate of no criminal conviction” (art.8),which was dropped in the final regulations (art.7). Yet, have the power to create rules requiring a criminal background check lies in the hands of agencies. For example, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security has announced that employment license applicants will need to submit a “certificate of no criminal conviction” (also known as a police clearance letter) from their country of residence, effective July 1.Cities with similar requirements such as Suzhou and Nanjing joins Beijing.

References: art. 22
 art. 29
 art. 6
 art. 16
 art. 17
 art. 6