Skip to main content
THE CITIZENSHIP DESK

Options for China Nationals

China's prohibition on dual citizenship and strict capital controls make acquiring a second passport a consequential, multi-year process requiring careful structuring of overseas asset transfers within legal quotas. Once foreign nationality is obtained, Chinese citizenship is effectively lost, and individuals must weigh the trade-off between expanded global mobility and any retained ties to China. China taxes residents on worldwide income under the Individual Income Tax (IIT) law, with rates up to 45% for high earners, and an exit tax applies to high-net-worth individuals transferring assets abroad.

Your Passport

Passport Rank

#62

Visa-Free

85

destinations

Dual Citizenship

not allowed

Taxation Basis

residence based

Key Considerations for China Nationals

  • 01China does not legally recognize dual citizenship; Chinese nationals who voluntarily acquire a foreign nationality are deemed to have automatically renounced Chinese citizenship under the Nationality Law of 1980.
  • 02The hukou (household registration) system creates deep ties to a specific Chinese locality, affecting access to education, healthcare, and property rights that may persist for family members who remain in China.
  • 03China enforces a strict annual foreign exchange quota of USD 50,000 per individual for outward capital transfers, requiring multi-year planning for significant overseas investment.
  • 04Capital controls are enforced by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE); attempts to circumvent the quota through aggregated transfers or third-party channels carry significant legal risk.
  • 05Chinese nationals naturalizing abroad often do so quietly, as formal renunciation procedures at Chinese consulates are required but not always undertaken immediately.
  • 06Several jurisdictions impose enhanced Customer Due Diligence (CDD) requirements for Chinese applicants in banking and investment programs due to AML and beneficial ownership concerns.
  • 07China's Individual Income Tax (IIT) applies to worldwide income for tax residents, with progressive rates up to 45% and an exit tax on significant asset transfers.

Program Restrictions

Sanctions Notice

Chinese nationals are not directly sanctioned as a class. However, Western regulators (FinCEN, FCA, AUSTRAC, FINTRAC) flag China as a jurisdiction requiring enhanced due diligence. Chinese Communist Party members, individuals connected to listed PLA entities, or persons in sectors subject to US Export Administration Regulations (EAR) or the Entity List face specific restrictions. Since 2020, the US, EU, UK, and Canada have imposed targeted sanctions on specific Chinese individuals related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and military-civil fusion. Non-designated ordinary Chinese nationals face secondary EDD effects — heightened source-of-funds scrutiny, delays in offshore account opening, and restrictions on purchasing real estate in some jurisdictions (Australia, Canada, New Zealand have enacted foreign buyer restrictions targeting non-resident Chinese purchasers).

Tax Obligations

China operates a residence-based tax system. Individuals who are domiciled in China, or who are not domiciled but reside in China for 183 days or more in a tax year, are treated as Chinese tax residents subject to Individual Income Tax (IIT) on worldwide income. Non-residents are taxed only on China-source income. China enacted significant IIT reforms effective January 1, 2019, which extended worldwide taxation to tax residents and introduced Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) rules at the individual level: Chinese tax residents who own or control foreign enterprises in low-tax jurisdictions may be attributed undistributed profits of those entities. Strict capital controls remain in place under the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE); individuals may remit a maximum of USD 50,000 equivalent per year in foreign currency under the annual quota system. Transfers exceeding this require SAFE approval and documentation of purpose. China enforces one of the world's strictest no-dual-citizenship policies: under Article 9 of the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China, a Chinese citizen who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality automatically loses Chinese citizenship at the moment of acquisition. There is no opt-out, no retention mechanism, and no grandfather clause for overseas Chinese. The Chinese government does not recognise dual citizenship for its nationals regardless of what a foreign state may record.

Renouncing This Nationality

Available
Yes
Exit Tax
No
Fee
None
Processing
~3 months

Chinese citizenship is lost automatically upon voluntary acquisition of a foreign nationality under Article 9 of the Nationality Law. Formal renunciation can be declared at a Chinese embassy or consulate (Form: Application for Renunciation of Chinese Nationality) but in practice loss occurs at the moment of foreign naturalisation. There is no Chinese exit tax on renunciation or departure. The USD 50,000 annual foreign exchange quota restriction continues to apply to departing tax residents until they formally cease Chinese tax residency. Individuals who hold hukou (household registration) must separately deregister.

Military Service Obligation

Applies
No (voluntary)
Age Range
18–22 (male, voluntary)
Duration
24 months
Alternative Service
Not available

Banking Restrictions

Financial-compliance issues this nationality commonly faces globally.

CHINA'S SAFE ANNUAL QUOTA RESTRICTS INDIVIDUALS TO REMITTING THE EQUIVALENT OF USD 50,000 IN FOREIGN CURRENCY PER CALENDAR YEAR. TRANSFERS BEYOND THIS REQUIRE SAFE APPROVAL WITH DOCUMENTED PURPOSE (EDUCATION, MEDICAL, TRAVEL, TRADE). ATTEMPTS TO AGGREGATE MULTIPLE FAMILY MEMBERS' QUOTAS OR USE UNDERGROUND MONEY CHANGERS (地下钱庄) CARRY CRIMINAL PENALTIES. THIS QUOTA IS THE PRIMARY STRUCTURAL IMPEDIMENT TO CAPITAL MOBILITY FOR CHINESE RESIDENTS.

Affects: safe-quota, capital-controls

CHINA PARTICIPATES IN THE OECD COMMON REPORTING STANDARD (CRS) THROUGH THE STATE TAXATION ADMINISTRATION (STA). CHINESE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS REPORT NON-RESIDENT ACCOUNT HOLDERS TO THE STA FOR EXCHANGE WITH PARTNER JURISDICTIONS. CORRESPONDINGLY, FOREIGN ACCOUNTS HELD BY CHINESE TAX RESIDENTS ARE REPORTED BACK TO CHINA. SINCE 2018, CRS EXCHANGE WITH CHINA HAS CAUSED CHINESE HNW INDIVIDUALS TO FACE SCRUTINY OF OFFSHORE ACCOUNTS AND STRUCTURES.

Affects: crs

CFC RULES INTRODUCED IN THE 2019 IIT REFORM (ARTICLE 9 OF THE AMENDED IIT LAW AND IMPLEMENTATION REGULATIONS) ALLOW CHINESE TAX AUTHORITIES TO ATTRIBUTE UNDISTRIBUTED PASSIVE INCOME FROM FOREIGN-CONTROLLED ENTERPRISES IN LOW-TAX JURISDICTIONS TO CHINESE RESIDENT SHAREHOLDERS. THE THRESHOLD IS A COMBINED DIRECT/INDIRECT OWNERSHIP OF 10% OR MORE IN A FOREIGN ENTERPRISE WHOSE ACTUAL TAX BURDEN IS LESS THAN HALF THE CHINESE CIT RATE (I.E., BELOW 12.5%).

Affects: cfc-iit

WESTERN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, PARTICULARLY IN THE EU, UK, US, CANADA, AND AUSTRALIA, APPLY ENHANCED DUE DILIGENCE (EDD) TO CHINESE-ORIGIN FUNDS AND CHINESE NATIONAL CLIENTS UNDER THEIR ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING AND SANCTIONS COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORKS. POLITICALLY EXPOSED PERSON (PEP) SCREENING, SOURCE-OF-WEALTH DOCUMENTATION, AND BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS ARE MORE INTENSIVE FOR CHINESE APPLICANTS THAN FOR MOST OTHER NATIONALITIES, REFLECTING FATF AND NATIONAL REGULATOR GUIDANCE ON CHINA-RELATED RISK.

Affects: edd, pep-screening

Best Second-Passport Options

Ranked by practical fit — not endorsements. Verify eligibility and current rules before acting.

  1. $250,000–$290,000

    St Kitts & Nevis CBI provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 157+ destinations including the Schengen zone and UK — destinations requiring visas for Chinese passport holders. As China does not permit dual citizenship, Chinese nationals who undergo CBI typically do so after or simultaneously with losing Chinese nationality, using the Caribbean passport for global travel and offshore banking access.

  2. $235,000–$270,000

    Grenada CBI is the only Caribbean programme qualifying for the US E-2 Treaty Investor visa, providing a legal long-stay US business mechanism that Chinese nationals cannot access through their home passport. Processing is 3–6 months.

  3. $230,000–$260,000

    Antigua & Barbuda CBI offers one of the lower entry-cost Caribbean programmes with Schengen and UK visa-free access. For Chinese HNW nationals, it provides capital mobility outside the USD 50,000 annual SAFE quota by enabling offshore banking under a non-Chinese identity.

  4. $5,000–$30,000

    Portuguese residency (formerly Golden Visa, now D7 or other routes) leading to citizenship in 5 years provides an EU passport with 188+ visa-free destinations. Portugal has historically been welcoming to Chinese investors and has a significant Mandarin-speaking expat community in Lisbon.

Visa-Free Gain from Upgrading

Additional visa-free destinations gained by acquiring each citizenship on top of the current one.

Additional visa-free destinations gained by acquiring each second citizenship
Second Citizenship+ Destinations
portugal+130
saint kitts and nevis+110
grenada+105

Related Guides

Visa Programs Available to You

115 programs

Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa

Portugal PRT

Passive Income

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

$820/mo

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa

Portugal PRT

Digital Nomad

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

$3,280/mo

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)

Portugal PRT

Investment

Processing

6mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Spain Non-Lucrative Visa

Spain ESP

Passive Income

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

$2,800/mo

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-20

Spain Digital Nomad Visa

Spain ESP

Digital Nomad

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

$2,800/mo

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-20

Italy Elective Residence Visa

Italy ITA

Passive Income

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

$2,750/mo

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-20

Greece Golden Visa

Greece GRC

Investment

Processing

4mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

7y

Verified 2026-04-20

Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)

Malta MLT

Investment

Processing

6mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Thailand Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa

Thailand THA

Passive Income

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$3,330/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Thailand Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

Thailand THA

Digital Nomad

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Malaysia DE Rantau Digital Nomad Pass

Malaysia MYS

Digital Nomad

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$2,000/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)

Malaysia MYS

Retirement

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

$9,100/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

UAE Golden Visa

United Arab Emirates ARE

Investment

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

UAE Virtual Working Programme (Remote Work Visa)

United Arab Emirates ARE

Digital Nomad

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$5,000/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Dubai Freelance Visa (TECOM / Free Zone Permit)

United Arab Emirates ARE

Entrepreneur

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Georgia Remotely from Georgia Programme

Georgia GEO

Digital Nomad

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$2,000/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Estonia Digital Nomad Visa

Estonia EST

Digital Nomad

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$4,500/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Costa Rica Rentista Visa

Costa Rica CRI

Passive Income

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

$2,500/mo

Citizenship

7y

Verified 2026-04-20

Mexico Temporary Resident Visa

Mexico MEX

Passive Income

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$1,620/mo

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Panama Friendly Nations Visa

Panama PAN

Passive Income

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

UK Skilled Worker Visa

United Kingdom GBR

Skilled Worker

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

$2,750/mo

Citizenship

6y

Verified 2026-04-20

UK Global Talent Visa

United Kingdom GBR

Skilled Worker

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

6y

Verified 2026-04-20

UK Innovator Founder Visa

United Kingdom GBR

Entrepreneur

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

6y

Verified 2026-04-20

Germany Freelancer Visa (Freiberufler)

Germany DEU

Entrepreneur

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

8y

Verified 2026-04-20

Germany EU Blue Card

Germany DEU

Skilled Worker

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

$4,170/mo

Citizenship

8y

Verified 2026-04-20

Germany Job Seeker Visa

Germany DEU

Skilled Worker

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

France Talent Passport (Passeport Talent)

France FRA

Skilled Worker

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur)

France FRA

Passive Income

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

$1,640/mo

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty)

Netherlands NLD

Entrepreneur

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)

Netherlands NLD

Skilled Worker

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$4,000/mo

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit

Ireland IRL

Skilled Worker

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

$3,500/mo

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP)

Ireland IRL

Investment

Processing

6mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Turkey Short-Term Residence Permit

Turkey TUR

Passive Income

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Turkey Work Permit

Turkey TUR

Skilled Worker

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa

United States USA

Investment

Processing

30mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

United States USA

Investment

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa

United States USA

Skilled Worker

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)

Canada CAN

Skilled Worker

Processing

7mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

3y

Verified 2026-04-20

Canada Start-Up Visa

Canada CAN

Entrepreneur

Processing

14mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

3y

Verified 2026-04-20

Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Canada CAN

Skilled Worker

Processing

15mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

3y

Verified 2026-04-20

Australia Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

Australia AUS

Skilled Worker

Processing

9mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

4y

Verified 2026-04-20

Australia Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858)

Australia AUS

Skilled Worker

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

4y

Verified 2026-04-20

Australia Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 188)

Australia AUS

Entrepreneur

Processing

18mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

9y

Verified 2026-04-20

New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

New Zealand NZL

Skilled Worker

Processing

9mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

New Zealand Investor 2 Visa

New Zealand NZL

Investment

Processing

9mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Brazil Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)

Brazil BRA

Digital Nomad

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$1,500/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (Nómada Digital)

Colombia COL

Digital Nomad

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$900/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Argentina Rentista Residency Visa

Argentina ARG

Passive Income

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

2y

Verified 2026-04-20

Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa

Japan JPN

Skilled Worker

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-20

Japan Business Manager Visa

Japan JPN

Entrepreneur

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-20

Japan Digital Nomad Visa

Japan JPN

Digital Nomad

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$5,670/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Singapore EntrePass

Singapore SGP

Entrepreneur

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

8y

Verified 2026-04-20

Singapore Employment Pass

Singapore SGP

Skilled Worker

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$3,700/mo

Citizenship

8y

Verified 2026-04-20

Singapore ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass)

Singapore SGP

Skilled Worker

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$22,000/mo

Citizenship

8y

Verified 2026-04-20

South Korea D-8 Investor Visa

South Korea KOR

Investment

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

South Korea Digital Nomad Visa (Workcation Visa)

South Korea KOR

Digital Nomad

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$7,080/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

India Business Visa

India IND

Entrepreneur

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

India Employment Visa

India IND

Skilled Worker

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$2,080/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

South Africa Critical Skills Work Visa

South Africa ZAF

Skilled Worker

Processing

6mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-20

South Africa Retired Persons Visa

South Africa ZAF

Retirement

Processing

6mo

Min. Income

$2,000/mo

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-20

Hungary Guest Investor Programme

Hungary HUN

Investment

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

8y

Verified 2026-04-20

Poland Temporary Residence Permit

Poland POL

Skilled Worker

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-20

Lithuania Startup Visa

Lithuania LTU

Entrepreneur

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-20

Thailand Non-Immigrant O-A (Retirement) Visa

Thailand THA

Retirement

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

$1,800/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Panama Pensionado Visa

Panama PAN

Retirement

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

$1,000/mo

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Mexico Temporary Resident Visa (Retirement)

Mexico MEX

Retirement

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

$2,800/mo

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Greece Financial Independence Visa (Type D)

Greece GRC

Retirement

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

$2,200/mo

Citizenship

7y

Verified 2026-04-20

Costa Rica Pensionado Visa

Costa Rica CRI

Retirement

Processing

5mo

Min. Income

$1,000/mo

Citizenship

7y

Verified 2026-04-20

Thailand Privilege (Elite) Visa

Thailand THA

Investment

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Italy Digital Nomad Visa

Italy ITA

Digital Nomad

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

$2,500/mo

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-20

Italy Investor Visa (Visto per Investitori)

Italy ITA

Investment

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-20

Indonesia Golden Visa

Indonesia IDN

Investment

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Australia Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

Australia AUS

Skilled Worker

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Canada IEC Working Holiday

Canada CAN

Skilled Worker

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa

Japan JPN

Skilled Worker

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-20

Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)

Malaysia MYS

Investment

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Colombia Pensionado / Retirement Visa (M-10)

Colombia COL

Retirement

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

$900/mo

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-20

Brazil Retirement / Passive Income Visa (VIPER)

Brazil BRA

Retirement

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

$2,000/mo

Citizenship

4y

Verified 2026-04-20

Georgia Small Business / Individual Entrepreneur Visa

Georgia GEO

Entrepreneur

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-20

Estonia Startup Visa

Estonia EST

Entrepreneur

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

8y

Verified 2026-04-20

Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)

Philippines PHL

Retirement

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)

Philippines PHL

Investment

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-20

France Talent Passport — Salaried Employee (Salarié Qualifié)

France FRA

Skilled Worker

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

$4,400/mo

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-26

France Talent Passport — Innovative Startup Founder (Création d'Entreprise)

France FRA

Entrepreneur

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-26

France Talent Passport — Researcher (Chercheur)

France FRA

Skilled Worker

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

2y

Verified 2026-04-26

UK Ancestry Visa

United Kingdom GBR

Family

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

6y

Verified 2026-04-26

Israel Aliyah (Law of Return)

Israel ISR

Family

Processing

6mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

0y

Verified 2026-04-26

Croatia Digital Nomad Visa

Croatia HRV

Digital Nomad

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$3,140/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-26

Romania Digital Nomad Visa

Romania ROU

Digital Nomad

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

$4,030/mo

Citizenship

8y

Verified 2026-04-26

Mauritius Premium Travel Visa

Mauritius MUS

Digital Nomad

Processing

1mo

Min. Income

$1,500/mo

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-26

Mauritius Permanent Residency (Property Purchase)

Mauritius MUS

Investment

Processing

4mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-04-26

Indonesia Second Home Visa (B211B)

Indonesia IDN

Retirement

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-04-26

Saudi Arabia Premium Residency (Iqama Mumayazah)

Saudi Arabia SAU

Investment

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-04-26

US H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa

United States USA

Skilled Worker

Processing

6mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

11y

Verified 2026-05-05

US L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa

United States USA

Skilled Worker

Processing

4mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-05-05

US F-1 Student Visa

United States USA

Student

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-05-05

US J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa

United States USA

Student

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-05-05

Switzerland B Residence Permit (Employment)

Switzerland CHE

Skilled Worker

Processing

4mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-05-05

Switzerland Self-Employment Permit

Switzerland CHE

Entrepreneur

Processing

6mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-05-05

Austria Red-White-Red Card

Austria AUT

Skilled Worker

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-05-05

Czech Employment Card

Czech Republic CZE

Skilled Worker

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-05-05

Czech Long-Term Residence — Investment / Business

Czech Republic CZE

Investment

Processing

4mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-05-05

Czech Digital Nomad Visa

Czech Republic CZE

Digital Nomad

Processing

2mo

Min. Income

$2,300/mo

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-05-05

Belgium Single Permit

Belgium BEL

Skilled Worker

Processing

4mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-05-05

Belgium Self-Employed Professional Card

Belgium BEL

Entrepreneur

Processing

6mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-05-05

Luxembourg Salaried Worker Permit

Luxembourg LUX

Skilled Worker

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-05-05

Italy Self-Employment Visa

Italy ITA

Entrepreneur

Processing

9mo

Min. Income

$9,500/mo

Citizenship

10y

Verified 2026-05-09

Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)

Germany DEU

Skilled Worker

Processing

4mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-05-09

Portugal HQA Visa (Highly Qualified Activity)

Portugal PRT

Skilled Worker

Processing

5mo

Min. Income

$26,000/mo

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-05-09

Greece Skilled Worker Visa (Type D)

Greece GRC

Skilled Worker

Processing

6mo

Min. Income

$30,000/mo

Citizenship

7y

Verified 2026-05-09

Sweden EU Blue Card

Sweden SWE

Skilled Worker

Processing

4mo

Min. Income

$5,800/mo

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-05-13

Sweden Self-Employment Permit

Sweden SWE

Entrepreneur

Processing

4mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-05-13

Sweden Job Seeker Visa

Sweden SWE

Skilled Worker

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-05-13

NZ Active Investor Plus Visa

New Zealand NZL

Processing

9mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

5y

Verified 2026-05-13

Thailand O-X Long-Stay Visa

Thailand THA

Retirement

Processing

3mo

Min. Income

Citizenship

No

Verified 2026-05-13

Banking That Accepts Your Passport

20 options

Company Formation Jurisdictions

23 jurisdictions

UK Private Limited Company (Ltd)

Setup: $50

25% (19% for profits under GBP 50,000; marginal relief between GBP 50,000–250,000)

Banking: moderate

US Delaware LLC

Setup: $200

0% at state level (no Delaware state income tax on out-of-state activity); federal tax depends on election (pass-through by default or C-Corp election)

Banking: moderate

US Wyoming LLC

Setup: $100

0% at state level (no Wyoming state income tax); federal tax depends on entity election

Banking: moderate

Estonia OÜ (Private Limited Company)

Setup: $265

0% on retained earnings; 20% on distributed profits (unique deferred distribution tax model)

Banking: difficult

Dubai DMCC Free Zone Company

Setup: $8,500

9% UAE Corporate Tax (effective June 2023) on taxable profits over AED 375,000; 0% for Qualifying Free Zone Persons meeting substance requirements

Banking: moderate

Dubai IFZA Free Zone Company

Setup: $5,500

9% UAE Corporate Tax on profits over AED 375,000; 0% for Qualifying Free Zone Persons on qualifying income

Banking: moderate

Singapore Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd)

Setup: $400

17% headline rate; effective rate often 8–10% due to startup tax exemptions (75% exemption on first SGD 100,000 for first 3 years)

Banking: moderate

Hong Kong Private Limited Company

Setup: $500

16.5% standard; 8.25% on first HKD 2 million of assessable profits (two-tiered regime)

Banking: difficult

BVI Business Company (BC)

Setup: $2,000

0% (no corporate income tax, capital gains tax, or withholding tax)

Banking: difficult

Cayman Islands LLC

Setup: $3,500

0% (no corporate tax, income tax, capital gains tax, or withholding tax; 20-year tax exemption certificate available)

Banking: difficult

Portugal Lda (Sociedade por Quotas)

Setup: $1,200

21% standard IRC; 17% on first EUR 25,000 for SMEs; municipal surcharge up to 1.5%; RFAI and other incentives available

Banking: moderate

Georgia Individual Entrepreneur (IE) with Virtual Zone

Setup: $50

1% on turnover up to GEL 500,000/year (Small Business Status); 0% on IT/software exports for Virtual Zone Person status; standard rate 15% corporate + 5% dividend withholding

Banking: easy

Ireland Limited Company (Ltd)

Setup: $350

12.5%

Banking: moderate

Netherlands BV

Setup: $1,500

19-25.8%

Banking: moderate

Cyprus Limited Company

Setup: $2,000

12.5%

Banking: moderate

Malta Limited Company

Setup: $2,500

5% effective (via refund system)

Banking: moderate

Seychelles IBC (International Business Company)

Setup: $700

0% (offshore income)

Banking: difficult

Switzerland Aktiengesellschaft (AG)

Setup: $8,000

11.85% to 21.0% effective combined federal + cantonal + communal (cantonal variation extreme — Zug 11.85%, Geneva 14%, Zürich 19.7%)

Banking: high

Luxembourg Société à Responsabilité Limitée (SARL)

Setup: $4,500

24.94% combined CIT + municipal business tax + solidarity surtax (Luxembourg City). Lower in some communes.

Banking: high

New Zealand Limited Company

Setup: $80

28% flat

Banking: moderate

Australia Proprietary Limited Company (Pty Ltd)

Setup: $380

25% for base rate entities (turnover < AUD 50M); 30% for larger companies

Banking: moderate

Canada Federal Corporation

Setup: $200

15% federal + 8-16% provincial = ~23-31% combined depending on province (Ontario 26.5%, Alberta 23%, Quebec 26.5%)

Banking: moderate

Bulgaria EOOD (Single-Member LLC)

Setup: $700

10% flat (one of EU's lowest)

Banking: moderate

Citizenship by Investment

10 programs

Popular Destinations for China Nationals