Immigration Cost in Chengdu (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Chengdu, immigration-related costs usually split into official government fees and professional service fees. The most clearly verifiable numbers are China’s own entry-exit document fees, such as the foreigner residence permit fee of CNY 400 for less than one year and up to CNY 1,000 for 3–5 years; agent or law-firm handling fees in Chengdu are usually additional and are often quoted case by case rather than published. Where no official Chengdu-specific professional pricing is publicly posted, the ranges below are clearly labelled estimates based on typical China-market immigration and visa support fees.
Overview
For Chengdu, the cost of “immigration” normally means one of two things: official Chinese government charges for visas, residence permits and work-permit related formalities, and separate professional fees paid to agencies or law firms to prepare and manage the application. The official charges are relatively standard across China because they are set by national or provincial public-security and immigration authorities rather than by the city itself. For foreign nationals moving to Chengdu for work, study or family reunion, the most common official cost is the residence permit fee, which varies by permit length. Professional support in Chengdu is less transparent. Many immigration consultancies, relocation firms and law offices do not publish fixed rates online, especially for employer-sponsored work cases, family reunion, document legalisation support or complex compliance matters. In practice, simple filing support tends to be sold as a package, while complicated matters such as appeals, refusals, criminal-record issues, or multi-person corporate transfers are often billed separately or at a higher bespoke rate. Employers in Chengdu frequently cover part or all of these costs for expatriate hires. If you are budgeting, a sensible starting point is to separate mandatory government fees from optional service fees. Government costs are usually in the low hundreds of CNY, while full-service assistance can range from a few thousand CNY for straightforward cases to substantially more for corporate or complex immigration matters.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Foreigner residence permit fee (less than 1 year)(per permit) Official fee standard for residence permits for foreigners in China. Estimated range | ~CNY 400 – CNY 400 | Estimated range |
| Foreigner residence permit fee (1 to 3 years)(per permit) Official fee standard for residence permits for foreigners in China. Estimated range | ~CNY 800 – CNY 800 | Estimated range |
| Foreigner residence permit fee (3 to 5 years)(per permit) Official fee standard for residence permits for foreigners in China. Estimated range | ~CNY 1,000 – CNY 1,000 | Estimated range |
| Basic visa / residence permit application handling by an immigration agent in Chengdu(per case) Estimated range based on typical China-market immigration support fees for straightforward work, family or study-related filing support where provider pricing is usually quoted privately rather than published. Estimated range | ~CNY 1,500 – CNY 5,000 | Estimated range |
| Corporate work-permit and residence permit full-service package(per employee case) Estimated range based on typical market rates in major Chinese cities for employer-sponsored expatriate onboarding, including document review, filing coordination and follow-up; excludes official government fees and third-party document/legalisation costs. Estimated range | ~CNY 3,000 – CNY 12,000 | Estimated range |
| Complex immigration legal advice or refusal/problem case(per case) Estimated range based on typical specialist legal-service pricing for complex immigration matters in China, where complexity, urgency and foreign-document issues materially affect cost. Estimated range | ~CNY 5,000 – CNY 30,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Government filing guidance
- Document checklist review
- Application form preparation
- Appointment coordination
- Follow-up with immigration or entry-exit authorities
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Straightforward filing support may take days to prepare, but total case timelines depend on permit category, document readiness and government processing time.
How Fees Work
Usually a mix of fixed government fees plus either a per-case professional package fee or bespoke quotation for complex matters; hourly public pricing is uncommon in this market.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether you only need official filing or a full-service agent/law-firm package
- Type of matter: work permit, family reunion, study, permanent residence or compliance problem
- Complexity of supporting documents, including translation, notarisation and legalisation
- Whether the case is employer-sponsored or privately arranged
- Urgency and number of applicants included in the case
Local Context
In Chengdu, as elsewhere in China, official immigration charges are normally set centrally rather than city by city, so local price variation mostly comes from private service providers. Tipping is not standard. VAT treatment on professional service invoices can vary depending on the provider and whether the quote is issued by a law firm, consultancy or relocation company, so business users should ask whether tax is included.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All figures are shown in Chinese yuan (CNY). Official fees are usually paid in CNY; overseas document costs may be incurred in other currencies before conversion.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- National Immigration Administration · government
Confirms the central authority responsible for immigration administration in China.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum official immigration-related cost for a foreigner in Chengdu?+
For many long-stay cases, the clearest official charge is the residence permit fee, starting at CNY 400 for a permit of less than one year, with higher fees for longer validity.
Do Chengdu immigration agents usually charge hourly rates?+
Usually not in public-facing pricing. Most immigration agents and relocation firms in China quote a package fee per case, while complex legal matters may be priced separately or on a bespoke basis.
Are government fees included in agency quotes?+
Not always. Many service quotes exclude the official government fee and also exclude translation, notarisation, legalisation, medical checks and courier costs, so ask for a full breakdown.
Does employer sponsorship affect the price?+
Yes. Employer-sponsored work cases are often handled more efficiently because the company provides standardised documents, but the total package can still be higher if HR support, compliance work and multiple filings are involved.
Is permanent residence in China priced the same way as a normal residence permit?+
No. Permanent residence applications are a different category and usually involve more complex eligibility checks and document preparation, so professional fees are often much higher than for a standard work or family permit case.
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Check current prices at the official source
National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China
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