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Your next stop,
made clear.
Visa routes, cost of living, healthcare and Chinese communities, country by country, for anyone leaving China or already abroad. Checked against official sources.
- Countries
- 31
- Guides
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- Languages
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ChecklistLeaving China
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Canada’s 2027-2029 immigration plan: PR target stays at 380,000, up to 200,000 in-Canada residents could move to PR
IRCC's new plan, published 5 November, keeps 380,000 permanent residents a year, cuts Federal High Skilled, raises provincial nominees; the budget proposes up to 200,000 in-Canada transitions by end-2027.
UK sets out new settlement rules: 10-year default wait, 5 years from £50,271
The UK's earned settlement plan of 2 November 2026 doubles the default wait for ILR to 10 years, with 5 years for those earning £50,271. Mahmood told MPs it will be implemented during 2027. There is no general protection for existing work visa holders, and the Long Residence route will close.
China warns citizens about UK border checks after phones seized: what travellers should know
On 27 October China's Foreign Ministry said Chinese citizens had been held for long periods and had phones seized at UK borders, and lodged representations. Here is what the UK power allows and what to do.
ContinentsBrowse by continent
Moving abroad is rarely just a plane ticket. For a Chinese family it usually means renewing passports, getting a police clearance certificate, having documents notarised and legalised and planning foreign exchange, and then, in a new country, finding a home, opening a bank account, seeing a doctor and getting the children into school. ExitChina.org works through these steps in the order you meet them when moving from China, with free, independent and sourced information for Chinese citizens planning to emigrate, work, study or retire abroad, and for Chinese people already living overseas.
We are not a migration agency, we do not sell programmes and we do not make decisions for you. The site covers 31 countries on six continents, each with guides on visas, residence, work, taxes, cost of living, healthcare, education, the Chinese community and safety. Whether you are still comparing which country to move to or want the exact requirements for one destination, this guide for Chinese emigrants is a good place to start.
How to use this site
- Pick a continentStart with an overview: visa rules for Chinese passports, cost-of-living range and where Chinese communities live
- Open a countryCountry guides cover culture, jobs, healthcare, safety and the main routes to residence
- Go topic by topicRead the guides on visas, renting, banking, taxes, education and more
- Get ready to leaveWork through the Leaving China checklist to sort out documents and formalities at home
Browse by continent
North America: the United States, Canada and Mexico. Plenty of jobs and well-established Chinese communities, but also high visa hurdles and living costs. Our North America overview compares the main routes; if you are thinking of skilled migration or settling after study, start with the Canada guide.
Europe: the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, most of them in the Schengen area, so a residence permit lets you travel freely within it. The Europe overview covers work, study and family routes. The Spain guide covers one of the larger Chinese communities in Europe and what changed after the golden visa was abolished in April 2025.
Asia: Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea. Close to home, with familiar food and culture, they suit families who want to visit China often. The Asia overview compares long-stay visas, and the Japan guide explains working, running a business and living in Japan.
Oceania: Australia and New Zealand are known for points-based skilled migration, study routes and a high quality of life. The Oceania overview explains how the two differ, and the Australia guide covers the main visa categories and living costs.
Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania, Zambia and Madagascar. Many Chinese come to Africa for construction, trade and manufacturing, and our Africa overview focuses on work permits, safety and everyday practicalities.
South and Central America: Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Panama, Chile and Costa Rica, home to some long-established Chinese communities. The South America overview covers residence routes, language and safety.
Before you leave China
Many things have to be settled before departure: passport validity, police certificates and apostilles, degree authentication, foreign exchange limits, what to do about your hukou and social insurance, and how to keep using WeChat and Alipay abroad. Our Leaving China checklist puts these steps in order and links to a guide for each one.
Living abroad and the latest news
After you land, renting, banking, healthcare, learning the language and getting a driving licence all take work. Each country’s living-abroad guides explain how things differ from China and the common pitfalls. Visa rules, flights and safety can change at any time, and our news section is updated every week so you can follow the changes that affect you.
Every page lists its sources and verification date. Before taking any step, always check the latest official information from the destination country and from the Chinese authorities.