What is the difference between a residence permit and a visa?

The difference between residence permit and visa is that the issuing object is different, the issuing authority is different and the nature of the certificate is different.

1. residence permit: the holder can enter and leave the country for many times within the validity period of the residence permit, and its main nature is the foreigner's residence certificate. Residence permit refers to the certificate for foreigners to stay in China, or the legal identity document for foreigners who have obtained the residence qualification in China to stay in China; The words "foreigner's residence permit" are marked directly above the residence permit, and the purpose of residence represents the type of residence permit. There are five kinds of residence documents:

1, work and residence certificate

2, reunion residence certificate

3. Personal residence certificate

4. Study residence certificate

5. Reporter's residence permit

On September 23rd, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of People's Republic of China (PRC) and the State Administration of Immigration jointly issued an announcement, clarifying that foreigners with valid residence certificates such as work, private affairs and reunion in China will be allowed to enter the country from 0: 00 on September 28th, 2020.

2. A visa is a document issued by a country's entry-exit administration (such as the Immigration Bureau or its embassies and consulates abroad) to approve the entry of foreign citizens, including various short-term visas and long-term visas. Chinese visas are divided into diplomatic visas, courtesy visas, official visas and ordinary visas. Most of them get ordinary visas. All VISAs in China are marked with the word "visa".

Third, the difference between them.

1. The publishing objects are different.

Visa: issued to foreigners in China.

Residence permit: issued to foreigners who meet the requirements and need to stay in China for more than 180 days.

2. The issuing authority is different.

Visa: The issuing authorities are foreign embassies and consulates and domestic public security organs.

Residence permit: The issuing authority is the domestic public security organ.

3. The nature of documents is different.

Visa: The short-term visa stay period shall not exceed 180 days. Holders can stay in China on the basis of the visa duration, the main nature of which is the entry and exit documents of foreigners.

Residence permit: the holder can enter and leave the country many times within the validity period of the residence permit, which is mainly the residence certificate of foreigners.

Legal basis:

Code of Practice on Visa and Residence Permit for Foreigners

Article 4 When accepting an application for a visa or residence permit for foreigners, the entry-exit administration department shall inquire about relevant information and require the applicant to provide the following materials:

(1) Valid international travel documents, including diplomatic, official (official, special), ordinary business, ordinary passport and other documents;

(2) Fill in the application form for visa and residence permit for foreigners, and submit recent two-inch half-length bareheaded photos;

(3) Certification materials related to visa and residence permit applications.

Article 5 The entry-exit administration department only accepts applications for visas and residence permits submitted by applicants, except in the following circumstances:

(1) visa: tourists can be represented by their relatives in China; Group tourists can be handled by the reception travel agency; Doctors can be handled by relatives or reception units;

(2) F visa: it can be handled by the reception unit;

(3) Residence permit: it can be handled by the work unit or university, but the first application for a foreigner's residence permit must be accepted in person.

People's Republic of China (PRC) Exit and Entry Administration Law

Article 15. Aliens entering the country shall apply for visas from foreign visa authorities, except as otherwise provided for in this Law.

Sixteenth visas are divided into diplomatic visas, courtesy visas, official visas and ordinary visas.

Issuing diplomatic and official visas to foreigners who enter the country for diplomatic or official reasons; Issue courtesy visas to foreigners who need courtesy because of their special status. The scope and methods of issuing diplomatic visas, courtesy visas and official visas shall be stipulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreigners who enter the country for non-diplomatic or official reasons such as work, study, visiting relatives, traveling, business activities, talent introduction, etc. , will be issued the corresponding ordinary visa. The types and issuance methods of ordinary visas shall be stipulated by the State Council.

Article 29 If the stay time indicated on the visa held by foreigners does not exceed 180 days, they shall hold the visa and stay in China according to the stay time indicated on the visa.

If it is necessary to extend the visa stay period, an application shall be submitted to the exit-entry administration department of the public security organ of the local people's government at or above the county level 7 days before the expiration of the visa stay period, and relevant materials on the reasons for the application shall be submitted as required. Upon examination, if the reasons for the extension are reasonable and sufficient, the stay period shall be extended; Those who have not extended their stay shall leave the country on schedule.

The extension of the visa stay period shall not exceed the original stay period indicated in the visa.

Article 30 If the visa held by foreigners indicates that residence certificates are required after entry, they shall, within 30 days from the date of entry, apply to the exit-entry administration department of the public security organ of the local people's government at or above the county level for a residence certificate for foreigners.

To apply for a foreigner's residence certificate, you should submit your passport or other international travel documents, as well as relevant materials about the reasons for applying, and keep biometric information such as fingerprints. The exit-entry administration department of the public security organ shall examine and make a decision within 15 days from the date of receiving the application materials, and issue residence certificates of corresponding categories and duration for foreigners according to the reasons for residence.

Foreigners' work and residence certificates are valid for at least 90 days and at most 5 years; The validity period of the non-work residence permit is at least 180 days and at most 5 years.