Hainan has introduced 16 new measures to streamline processes related to visa application, work permits, payments, healthcare access, legal services, taxation, and business setup for foreigners living in or visiting the province.

The 16 new measures are:

No 1 Nearby visa application

Foreigners can apply for visas at any authorized immigration office in Hainan, choosing the most convenient location based on their residence or travel itinerary.

No 2 Online accommodation registration

Foreign visitors staying in private accommodations (non-hotel residences) must complete mandatory registration within 24 hours of arrival as required by Chinese law. This registration process has been made convenient through several options: foreigners can scan a QR code for immediate access, use the bilingual Haiyiban app (海易办) available in both Chinese and English, or access its service through WeChat or Alipay mini-programs. The system automatically detects locations to simplify address entry, and either the foreign guest or their local hosts can complete this registration.

No 3 Expedited visa processing

Foreigners needing urgent visas for emergencies (e.g., critical business meetings, medical treatment, or visiting gravely ill relatives) can call the 12367 hotline for priority service. Designated immigration offices will provide a "green channel" for fast-track processing.

No 4 Combined work permit & residence permit service

Foreign workers can now apply for and collect both their work permit and residence permit at a single window, with aligned validity periods.

Note: Previously, these required separate applications across two departments under China’s foreign employment regulations.

No 5 Facilitated inspection lanes

Foreign attendees of major conferences, sports events, or exhibitions in Hainan can use facilitated border inspection lanes for smoother entry and exit procedures.

No 6 "Hainan EasyPay" （“海南放心付”） NFC pilot

A pilot program in Sanya, a popular tourist city in China's Hainan province, now allows foreigners to pay taxi fares by tapping overseas bank cards via NFC using the Hainan EasyPay (海南放心付) app. The app replicates POS terminal functions and ensures data security.

No 7 Improved card/cash services

More foreign card-friendly POS terminals are installed in key areas (hotels, tourist sites, hospitals, etc.).

"Cash change packs" (small-denomination RMB) are available at banks to support cash transactions.

No 8 Short-term SIM cards

Foreigners can purchase 7-/15-/30-day SIM cards at designated telecom stores in 18 cities and counties in Hainan using passports or permanent residency IDs. Cards auto-expire after the chosen period.

No 9 Online tax services

Foreigners can check/download bilingual personal tax records (Chinese/English) via the official website of Hainan Provincial Tax Bureau, State Taxation Administration. The tax records can be used to accommodate the practical needs of non-resident individuals from different countries for tax credit documentation.

No 10 Online social insurance for foreign employers

Foreign-owned companies can register foreign employees for social insurance via the website https://hnsbyb.hainan.gov.cn/#/ using:

CA certification

SMS verification

Digital business licenses

No 11 International clinics

Thirty-one hospitals across Hainan offer multilingual international clinics, bookable via phone/online/onsite.

List of Hospitals with International Clinics:

1. Hainan General Hospital

2. The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University

3. Hainan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine

4. Hainan Children's Hospital

5. The Fifth People's Hospital of Hainan Province

6. Hainan Psychiatric Hospital

7. Hainan Eye Hospital

8. Haikou People's Hospital

9. Haikou Orthopedics and Diabetes Hospital

10. Hainan Chengmei Hospital

11. Hainan Stomatological Hospital

12. Sanya People's Hospital

13. Sanya Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine

14. Hainan Western Central Hospital

15. Wenchang People's Hospital

16. Wanning People's Hospital

17. Ruijin Hospital Hainan Branch (affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)

18. Qionghai People's Hospital

19. Boao Super Hospital

20. Chengmai County People's Hospital

21. Ledong Li Autonomous County Second People's Hospital

22. Dongfang People's Hospital

23. Lingshui Li Autonomous County People's Hospital

24. Ding'an County People's Hospital

25. Tunchang County People's Hospital

26. Qiongzhong Li and Miao Autonomous County People's Hospital

27. Baisha Li Autonomous County People's Hospital

28. Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County People's Hospital

29. The Second People's Hospital of Hainan Province

30. Changjiang Li Autonomous County People's Hospital

31. Lingao County People's Hospital

No 12 Foreign professionals' qualifications recognition policy

Qualified foreign professionals holding certifications listed in the Hainan Free Trade Port Recognized Overseas Professional Qualifications Directory can:

·Apply for Professional Certification through Hainan's competent authorities to validate their overseas qualifications;

·Practice professionally within approved service scopes and time periods, and enjoy the same rights and treatment as local professionals with equivalent qualifications.

Key Policy Details:

·Applicants must hold valid Hainan work permits and comply with Chinese laws/regulations;

·Certification requires demonstration of professional competence and ethics;

·Approved practitioners gain equal professional standing with local counterparts;

·Services must be provided within authorized fields and duration as specified.

No 13 Legal services for foreigners in Hainan

Hainan has launched a Foreign Lawyer Database (2024), featuring 122 pre-vetted legal experts specializing in:

International trade & investment

Cross-border disputes

Maritime & commercial law

Arbitration & mediation

How to access:

Visit the official Hainan Justice Department website at https://justice.hainan.gov.cn to connect with qualified, multilingual lawyers familiar with Chinese and international law.

No 14 Hainan international services app

The Haiyiban（海易办） app’s English-language "Hainan International Services" section provides:

Government service guides/appointments

FTP policy explanations

Daily life/resources FAQs

No 15 "Hainan guide for foreigners"

To help foreign nationals newly arrived in Hainan quickly access essential service information and better adapt to local life, the Hainan Provincial Foreign Affairs Office has compiled the Hainan Guide for Foreigners - a one-stop practical handbook.

"The handbook is available for viewing and download here.

No 16 "Invest Hainan" one-stop platform

Hainan has launched the "FTP Enterprise Navigator" (企航自贸港) platform, a multilingual service hub designed to streamline foreign investment. The platform features a bilingual Chinese/English interface and offers dedicated service staff proficient in English, Russian, German, French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish to assist international users.

It provides comprehensive resources, including FTP policies and incentives, detailed industrial park and city profiles, and commercial real estate listings.

Additionally, the platform connects users with professional services such as legal, tax, and financial advisory referrals, business setup guidance, and assistance with government procedures, ensuring a seamless experience for investors.

ga.hainan.gov.cn contributed to the story.