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Sanya and specific cases · q28/30 · English
What approvals does a foreigner need to open a café in Hainan?
Opening a cafe in Sanya means two separate tracks: the company and your own right to work.
Company track: Name, scope, shareholding, address, licence, seals, bank account.
Personal track: Work permit, Z visa abroad, entry, work-type residence permit.
Operating licences: Food and beverage activities need their own approvals under current rules.
What most people miss: The Aug 2026 Sanya public reply was exactly this: could a visa-free entrant open a cafe without exiting? The answer was no.
Local rules vary. Confirm current requirements with the authority before filing; outcomes rest with the authorities. This page summarises public information and hands-on experience. It is not legal advice and does not promise any approval outcome. Fees and processing times are confirmed in a written quotation.