Three amounts people confuse
When people ask ’how much does a residence permit cost’, they usually expect a single number. In practice there are three, and only two of them are an expense.
1. What to show the authorities — this is not an expense
Almost every ground requires proof of income or savings. This money remain yours: they are not needed by anyone transfer, freeze, or spend. You only need to prove that they if there is one — with a bank statement, certificate, or contract. This figure is most often are mistaken for the cost of a residence permit, which is why relocation seems costs tens of thousands of euros.
2. What to pay us — for the work
This covers case review, selecting the right grounds, compiling and checking the document package, and submission and case management through to the card. Amounts for each basis are in the table below.
3. What is paid outside our service
Government fees go directly to the authority. Certified translations, apostille and certificates — to those who arrange them. We do not mark them up and we do not process them through ourselves.
By basis
On the left — what you must prove to the authorities; on the right — how much it costs our work. These are separate accounts.
| Grounds | Who it suits | Show the authorities | Our work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thirty days and twenty-four hours | just arrived, I am obtaining status | 24 hours for residential registration | named after the review — depends on family composition |
| Visa-free entry | take a short trip, travel, business, transit | until 31.12.2027 extended visa-free regime | named after the review — depends on family composition |
| Permanent residence | staying for good, permanent residence | 7 grounds the list is exhaustive | named after the review — depends on family composition |
Processing times are intentionally not listed here: this is the authority’s timeline, not our promise. Each basis is covered separately — links in the first column.
If you need more than just a status
The status is half the job. Next come a residence card, a bank account, document translation. Each service is priced separately, openly:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Residence permit: filing and collection o window — 30 days after entry; the fee of 400 ¥ for up to one year and 800 ¥ for one to three years is paid directly | 2 200 ¥ ($327) |
| Residence permit renewal filed 30 days before expiry, the passport stays at the office for about a week | 2 500 ¥ ($372) |
| ⚠️ Residence registration with the police within the first 24 hours after arrival; a hotel handles it automatically, a rented apartment does not | 600 ¥ ($89) |
| Consular legalization of a Russian document the fee itself is approximately 8,540 ₽ and 19 business days per document, paid directly | 1 200 ¥ ($179) |
| Notarized translation into Chinese, per page | 800 ¥ ($119) |
| Document replacement and recovery | 1 800 ¥ ($268) |
| APEC card: visa-free entry to 16 countries for 5 years for those doing business in APEC countries; no in-person appearance required; Japan and Australia are currently not approving the card for Russian citizens | 65 000 ₽ |
Prices are in Chinese yuan and are all-inclusive — nothing is added on top. The dollar figure in brackets is for reference, based on a rate of $1 = ¥6.72. Chinese government fees are paid separately and directly: residence permit 400 ¥ for up to one year and 800 ¥ for one to three years, medical examination 480–500 ¥, permanent residence application 1,500 ¥. Russian consular legalisation costs approximately 8,540 ₽ per document. Two or more services — 5% off each for each: tick the boxes you need on the country page — amount will be counted immediately.
What is not included in the price
Government fees, certified translations, and official certificates are paid those who provide them, unless stated otherwise in the line. We do not include into their own price what is paid to third parties: this way you can see exactly what you are paying for us, and what would have been spent regardless.
Why we don’t quote a price upfront
Because it cannot be named honestly without first looking into it. The same goal covered by different bases, each with its own cost, timelines, and its own consequences after five years. First, a consultation: a lawyer reviews your situation against the documents and provides a plan — which basis, what will be required and how much it will cost. A consultation costs 600 ¥ ($89) and is credited toward the service fee: if you continue with us, it adds nothing to the cost.