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China

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
489,850
Top destination, 2023
South Korea
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
1,082,122
UK visas issued, 2025
574,681
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
4.5%
NationalityCNISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<CNCHINA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
CN3<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of China need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaVisa requiredRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from China move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. South Korea132,855
  2. Japan106,717
  3. United States57,240
  4. Canada39,350
  5. Australia36,349
  6. New Zealand26,214
  7. Germany20,866
  8. Spain20,471
  9. Italy8,062
  10. Netherlands7,991
  11. France5,830
  12. Switzerland3,526
  13. Hungary3,423
  14. Sweden2,617
  15. Türkiye2,445

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

295k589k200020032006200920122015201820212023
295k589k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
2000263,627
2001324,078
2002321,858
2003300,904
2004338,343
2005415,837
2006480,846
2007499,055
2008508,003
2009434,691
2010476,371
2011482,867
2012512,519
2013560,033
2014564,352
2015553,993
2016567,429
2017582,783
2018585,558
2019589,401
2020279,439
2021292,534
2022416,551
2023489,850
Share going to the top destination
27.1%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in China who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Hong Kong2,490,414
  2. United States2,488,775
  3. Japan809,893
  4. Canada771,973
  5. South Korea756,684
  6. Australia656,264
  7. Singapore533,745
  8. Macao317,977
  9. Taiwan249,651
  10. Italy240,895
  11. Bangladesh219,299
  12. Spain198,909

Living abroad by year

5.85M11.7M19901995200020052010201520202024
5.85M11.7M19902000201020202024
Data table
19903,990,935
19954,676,354
20005,668,480
20056,892,920
20108,773,150
201510,357,962
202011,169,868
202411,701,619
Living abroad, 2024
11,701,619
Change since 2000
+106.4%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
21.3%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of China by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B2938,633
  2. F158,897
  3. H1B27,680
  4. J113,464
  5. C1/D10,782
  6. L16,901
  7. L25,180
  8. H44,451
  9. B13,512
  10. J22,345

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

732k1.46M201720182019202020212022202320242025
732k1.46M20172019202120232025
Data table
20171,072,455
20181,464,802
20191,246,099
2020317,238
2021108,788
2022161,548
2023418,015
2024819,307
20251,082,122
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR57,073
  2. I54,087
  3. F43,189
  4. E12,393
  5. F31,529
  6. F2B1,428
  7. IR11,297
  8. E3879
Immigrant visas, FY2025
26,923
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
8,159
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in China who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of China with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

41k82k2015201620172018201920202021202220232024
41k82k201520172019202120232024
Data table
201574,560
201681,770
201771,570
201865,210
201962,250
202041,480
202149,850
202267,950
202359,260
202471,470
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens29,240
  2. Employment-based preferences29,140
  3. Refugees and asylees7,500
  4. Family-sponsored preferences5,260
  5. Other classes320
  6. Diversity visa lottery20
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Specialty occupations (H-1B)87,750
  2. Intracompany transferees (L-1)20,850
  3. Spouses and children18,690
  4. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)2,380
  5. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)1,530
  6. Other temporary workers620
  7. Seasonal agricultural workers (H-2A)10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in China)
71,470
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in China)
29,200
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
1,981,990
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of China (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in China (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor472,167
  2. Study89,648
  3. Other6,172
  4. Work5,774
  5. Family920

Visas issued by year

407k814k201020122014201620182020202220242025
407k814k201020132016201920222025
Data table
2010215,045
2011266,958
2012285,536
2013373,534
2014413,275
2015491,359
2016581,921
2017655,528
2018730,214
2019813,531
2020139,613
2021166,202
2022197,983
2023549,224
2024639,512
2025574,681
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
143,145
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of China, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20252,91022,89051,54521,1052,980
20244,73026,62558,56529,9653,665
20233,35531,08060,72031,7854,645
20221,59020,49554,20531,8702,005
20211,33523,16558,74031,0258,395
20201,02521,35061,62016,5157,085
20191,43024,78087,94530,2454,875
201896023,66589,44029,7105,150
20171,07023,18587,47030,2556,285
201686523,21080,86526,7852,125
201555015,75568,49019,4551,490
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of China, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

1,8643,7282005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
1,8643,7282005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–062,086
2006–072,650
2007–083,372
2008–092,283
2009–101,418
2010–111,603
2011–122,589
2012–133,728
2013–143,358
2014–153,522
2015–162,847
2016–172,773
2017–181,699
2018–191,804
2019–201,059
2020–21813
2021–221,076
2022–231,637
2023–242,033
2024–252,727
2025–263,529
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills1,946
  2. Labour Agreement896
  3. Specialist Skills469
  4. Short-term119
  5. Medium-term99
Granted, 2025–26
3,529
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
5.1%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of China living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

465k930k2012201420162018202220242025
465k930k2012201420162018202220242025
Data table
2012652,595
2013649,078
2014654,777
2015665,847
2016695,522
2017730,890
2018764,720
2019813,675
2022761,563
2023821,838
2024873,286
2025930,428
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident357,565
  2. Student148,151
  3. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services117,314
  4. Dependent93,581
  5. Long-Term Resident32,047
  6. Spouse or Child of Japanese National26,617
  7. Business Manager24,840
  8. Technical Intern Training22,583
  9. Highly Skilled Professional22,169
  10. Specified Skilled Worker22,105
Residents, December 2025
930,428
In work-related statuses
236,091
Share in work-related statuses
25.4%
Students
148,151
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in China

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in China, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
France458,018429,97324,4105.3%
Germany263,088253,5058,0503.1%
Spain254,571240,9769,5933.8%
Italy227,293218,7468,4163.7%
Switzerland95,00390,3434,6504.9%
Netherlands72,59570,2031,7642.4%
Hungary64,91462,2672,6474.1%
Austria51,76149,6802,0754.0%
Sweden45,39042,6062,8946.4%
Greece43,70240,2973,0387.0%
Norway43,65241,7481,9044.4%
Finland26,34224,3291,6666.3%
Denmark24,55821,0363,06312.5%
Belgium19,70018,9294462.3%
Iceland18,45217,5843241.8%

Applications by year

1.49M2.97M2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
1.49M2.97M200920122015201820212024
Data table
2009604,037
2010824,860
20111,079,516
20121,242,507
20131,497,196
20141,800,369
20152,381,818
20162,185,927
20172,533,905
20182,823,252
20192,971,032
2020206,907
202127,458
202292,780
20231,117,365
20241,779,255
Refusal rate, 2024
4.5%
Refusal rate, 2019
3.8%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of China in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Education42,468
  2. Work38,691
  3. Other reasons27,296
  4. Family27,187
First permits by country
  1. Spain18,103
  2. Germany16,748
  3. France15,899
  4. Italy14,263
  5. Hungary11,348
  6. Netherlands6,400
  7. Greece6,081
  8. Serbia5,907
  9. Ireland5,491
  10. Sweden4,524
  11. Poland4,210
  12. Malta3,926
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card2,198
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)7,613
  3. Researchers4,928
  4. Other paid activities23,952
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
4,551
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
8,470
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
97,767
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
1,910
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
1,263,600
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
32,021
Changed status into work, 2025
9,998
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
4,825
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
49
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of China in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark20252,7121,5001,075111026
Sweden20252,6066021,3525521090
Netherlands20255,9851,8852,4951,40014065
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland20251,6675251,142
Austria20253,4561,9251,531
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark1,500
  2. Sweden602
  3. Netherlands1,885
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of China living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. Permanent residence title52,750
  2. Education and training27,965
  3. Application for a residence title pending23,185
  4. Employment21,845
  5. Family reasons18,550
  6. Neither tolerated nor permitted15,305
  7. Special residence rights and national visas2,390
  8. International law, humanitarian or political reasons2,380
  9. EU free movement1,705
  10. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure1,420
  11. Tolerated stay (Duldung)1,125

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

84k169k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
84k169k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
2014110,284
2015119,590
2016129,150
2017136,460
2018143,135
2019149,195
2020145,610
2021146,450
2022149,550
2023155,955
2024163,000
2025168,660
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
168,660
With a residence title for employment
21,845
Permanent residence title
52,750
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Italy

New residence permits issued in Italy to citizens of China, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

6,73813k2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
6,73813k201620182020202220242025
Data table
201612,118
201712,030
201811,367
20198,889
20204,731
20218,686
202210,503
20238,346
20247,965
202513,475
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family5,094
  2. Study4,588
  3. Asylum and protection2,560
  4. Work907
  5. Other reasons326
New permits, 2025
13,475
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
320,323
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
186,057
Source: Istat, residence permits of non-EU citizens: permits issued in the year and valid permits on 1 January (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in China

Countries with an embassy or consulate in China, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Afghanistan1——
Albania1——
Algeria1——
Angola1——
Antigua and Barbuda1——
Argentina1——
Armenia1——
Australia14—
Austria1——
Azerbaijan1——
Bahamas1——
Bahrain1——
Bangladesh1——
Barbados1——
Belarus12—
Belgium1——
Bolivia1——
Bosnia and Herzegovina1——
Botswana1——
Brazil1——
Brunei1——
Bulgaria11—
Burkina Faso1——
Cambodia1——
Cameroon1——
Canada14—
Cape Verde1——
Chad1——
Chile11—
Colombia11—
Costa Rica1——
Croatia1——
Cyprus1——
Czechia11—
Côte d’Ivoire1——
DR Congo1——
Djibouti1——
Dominican Republic1——
Ecuador1——
Egypt11—
Equatorial Guinea1——
Eritrea1——
Estonia11—
Ethiopia12—
Finland12—
France16—
Gambia1——
Georgia1——
Germany15—
Ghana1——
Greece1——
Guinea1——
Guinea-Bissau1——
Guyana1——
Hungary11—
Iceland1——
India121
Indonesia13—
Iran1——
Iraq1——
Ireland1——
Israel11—
Italy11—
Jamaica1——
Japan16—
Jordan1——
Kazakhstan11—
Kenya1——
Kuwait11—
Kyrgyzstan1——
Laos12—
Latvia1——
Lebanon1——
Libya1——
Lithuania1——
Luxembourg1——
Madagascar1——
Malaysia16—
Maldives1——
Mali1——
Malta1——
Mauritania1——
Mauritius1——
Mexico1——
Micronesia1——
Moldova1——
Mongolia112
Montenegro1——
Morocco1——
Mozambique1——
Myanmar11—
Nepal12—
Netherlands1——
New Zealand13—
Nigeria1——
North Korea132
North Macedonia1——
Norway11—
Oman1——
Pakistan1——
Palestine1——
Panama12—
Peru1——
Philippines12—
Poland13—
Portugal11—
Qatar1——
Republic of the Congo1——
Romania1——
Russia13—
Rwanda1——
Saudi Arabia1——
Serbia11—
Seychelles11—
Sierra Leone1——
Singapore15—
Slovakia11—
Slovenia1—1
Somalia1——
South Africa11—
South Korea18—
Spain14—
Sri Lanka1——
Sudan1——
Suriname1——
Sweden11—
Switzerland1——
Syria1——
Tajikistan1——
Tanzania1——
Thailand11—
Timor-Leste1——
Togo1——
Tonga1——
Trinidad and Tobago1——
Tunisia1——
Turkmenistan1——
Türkiye14—
Ukraine13—
United Arab Emirates111
United Kingdom141
United States—5—
Uruguay1——
Uzbekistan1——
Vanuatu—1—
Venezuela1——
Vietnam1——
Yemen1——
Zambia1——
Zimbabwe1——
Countries
150
Missions
274
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by China, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

17k33k2000200320062009201220152018202120242025
17k33k200020052010201520202025
Data table
2000758
20011,209
20022,353
20034,625
20046,641
20053,337
20064,319
20076,833
20089,137
20099,209
201013,636
201116,568
201217,066
201317,790
201429,911
201533,105
201626,883
201728,676
201824,306
201914,258
202014,714
202117,118
202220,425
202322,593
202424,981
202530,003
Remittances received, 2025
US$30,003 million
Share of GDP, 2025
0.2%
Average cost of sending US$200 to China, 2023
2.8%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from China

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • China → United States
  • China → South Korea
  • China → Japan
  • China → France
  • China → Germany
  • China → Spain
  • China → Italy
  • China → Canada
  • China → Australia
  • China → New Zealand
  • China → Switzerland
  • China → Netherlands
  • China → Hungary
  • China → Austria
  • China → Sweden
  • China → Greece
  • China → Norway
  • China → Finland
  • China → Denmark
  • China → Belgium
  • China → Iceland
  • China → Portugal
  • China → Czechia
  • China → Poland
  • China → Türkiye
  • China → Mexico
  • China → Chile
  • China → Croatia
  • China → Malta
  • China → Slovenia
  • China → Romania
  • China → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more