how to get a visa for a new business

Hi,
Probably better to partner up in HK. Much easier. And in China the Chinese partner would do everything under his name only. I don't know if it's feasible under your project.
In China, as far as I know, it would be particularly complex to set up a joint-venture company with a local partner. Actually I read that a WFOE (wholy-foreign-owned enterprise) is subject to less red tape than a JV between foreign and local partners.
I hope it helps. Good luck.
Renaud

According to the Regulations on the Management of Employment of Foreigners in China, Foreigners seeking employment in China shall enter China on the strength of occupation visas and can get employed only after obtaining employment certificates and residential documents .Foreigners who have not obtained residential documents (namely, those holding, F, L, C, and G visas), foreigners studying or doing field work in China, and the dependents of foreigners holding occupation visas shall not be employed in China. In special cases, employing units shall apply for certificates of permission according to the examination and approval procedures, and the foreigners to be employed shall change their status at public security departments on the strength of these certificates of permission, and obtain employment certificates and residential documents before they become employed.

Therefore, firstly, you will have to set up a company with your Chinese partner. After the business license of the company has been issued, the company shall apply for certificates of permission. Then you can change your status at public security departments on the strength of these certificates of permission, and obtain employment certificates in the local labor authority and residential documents in the Division of Exit and Entry Administration.

For detailed info please feel free to contact me.
Best Regards,
Sunny Yang
Direct Line: (86-755) 8203 2093
Mobile: 13923778504
Email: sunny@hills.cn

My two cents. Form a WFOE and be the legal representative of that WFOE in Shenzhen. You will be able to get a residence permit easily.
If you want to bring in a Chinese partner, you can consider two options:
1) Form a HK company together with that partner, and then set up the Shenzhen WFOE with that HK company as parent company. This way the WFOE profits are sent back to HK when it will be then shared between both of you according to the percentage of shares each of you hold.
2) Ask your Chinese partner to form a company of his own (for Chinese it is much cheaper, just RMB5,000 or so). Then conduct joint projects involving both your companies and share the profits. This way if something goes sour you have at least your own company left.
Cheers,
Patrick
www.sinoinvest.biz

Hi Patrick.

I see you understand the subject. I have a couple questions for you. I am planing to do busines in Shenzhen (import/export). I would also bring my family with me. Can I open a company? Will this give me residence status?

Thank you,
Vlad
pashkov@gmail.com