What the regulation is
On July 31, China’s State Council issued a new regulation on exit and entry administration, scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026. The decree aims to standardize how exit and entry are administered across the country, protect the lawful rights and interests of everyone who crosses the border, refine the restrictive measures applied in specific cases, and regulate the intermediary services that help people with visa and residence paperwork. For an overseas brand planning to enter or expand in China, this is a practical, behind-the-scenes change that directly shapes how easily your people can get in and stay.
Who it affects
The rules matter most for foreign nationals who travel to China for business — founders making market-entry visits, executives opening a representative office or WFOE, technicians installing equipment, and sales or sourcing teams on rotation. They also govern the agencies that prepare and submit visa and residence applications on your behalf. Because the regulation covers both the application requirements and the service providers around them, it touches nearly every foreign staff member your China plan depends on.
How it helps foreign brands
The favorable signals for overseas companies are concrete:
- Predictable process. Standardized administration means the same rules apply more consistently at different ports and bureaus, reducing the guesswork around approvals.
- Protected rights. The text explicitly protects the lawful rights and interests of entrants, giving foreign personnel a clearer footing while working in China.
- Cleaner intermediaries. By regulating visa and residence intermediary services, the regulation pushes out unreliable actors and lowers the risk of costly scams or rejected filings.
- Clearer requirements. Detailed application requirements make it easier to prepare a complete, correct submission the first time.
Together, these changes lower the soft cost of moving talent into China — a real advantage when you are racing to open an office, launch on Tmall Global or JD, or stand up a local supply chain.
Two practical steps for brands
- Plan mobility before September 15. Map the visas and residence permits your China team will need, and start applications early so the new rules work in your favor rather than against a tight launch deadline.
- Use licensed, regulated help. Choose established, compliant intermediaries — or a local China partner — to handle filings, and keep your own records clean and complete.
How gocntrade can help
Beyond mobility, entering China means market access, platform entry, and a reliable trading partner on the ground. gocntrade helps overseas brands with China market entry, Tmall Global / JD / Douyin setup, and end-to-end trading-partner services — so your people and your products both land smoothly.