Residency Planning
A plan that still works at renewal
Status · Family · Education · Assets
Most cross-border plans fail at the second step — a renewal, a school application, a tax question. We design the whole sequence before the first filing.
Four workstreams
Status and mobility
Which residence or citizenship route actually fits the family’s travel pattern, business interests, and timeline — and what happens when the first permit expires.
Family relocation
Spouses, children, and parents often need different permissions. We map each family member’s status so no one is left dependent on a permit that does not fit.
Education and healthcare
School eligibility, language support, and access to medical coverage are checked against the status being applied for — before the move, not after.
Assets and succession
Holding structures, tax residency, banking, and inheritance are considered alongside immigration status, with local counsel where the assets sit.
Who it is for
Families relocating to China
A foreign executive or founder moving to China with a spouse and children, where work permit, dependant status, schooling, and housing must line up.
Families leaving China
Chinese families building a residence or citizenship position abroad while retaining business and family ties in China.
Second-generation planning
Parents planning education and long-term residence for children who may study and work in a different jurisdiction.
Founders and investors
Business owners whose company structure, personal status, and banking arrangements need to be consistent across borders.
How we think about it
Status first, then assets
A residence route that conflicts with tax residency or succession planning is not a solution. We test the immigration route against the family’s wider structure.
One plan, several jurisdictions
China entry, a second residence, and a third-country option can coexist — provided the residence requirements do not contradict each other.
Written before filed
The recommended route, alternatives, document list, and timing are set out in writing before any application is submitted.
Frequently asked questions
How is residency planning different from applying for a visa?
A visa application answers one question: can this person enter and stay for this purpose? Residency planning asks a broader set of questions — where the family should hold status, how that status interacts with tax and education, and what happens at renewal or when the principal applicant’s circumstances change.
Do I need this if I already know which visa I want?
Not always. If the route is straightforward and the family situation is simple, a single-service application may be enough. Integrated planning is most useful when several family members, jurisdictions, or asset structures are involved.
Can you coordinate with my existing lawyers and accountants?
Yes. We frequently work alongside a family’s existing advisors, with clear boundaries on who is responsible for which filing. Where local counsel is required, we introduce licensed lawyers in the relevant jurisdiction.
Is the plan confidential?
Yes. Engagements are covered by confidentiality terms, and case files are handled only by the assigned team. We do not disclose client identities or family details.
Planning for more than one move?
Tell us where the family is now, where it needs to be in five years, and what has to stay consistent in between.