China Work Visas: Decoding the Process
China’s work visa, the Z-Visa, is granted to individuals who are employed, assume professional posts, or take part in commercial performances in China. For expats, once they get a Foreigner Work Permit Notification Letter, they can apply at their local visa center or their nearest Chinese Embassy.
Discover the world's top
health insurers.
Compare quotes with
a click of the button.
Some of the general documents required for the visa application include a passport that has been valid for at least six months, a certificate verifying you do not have any criminal records, a work permit notification, and a completed visa application form with a passport-sized photo.
Are you an expat in China looking to apply for a visa? Are you also looking to stay covered while in China? In this blog post, we will be going over work visas in China as well as the application process and documents required.
China’s Work Visa: The Z-Visa
The Z-Visa, China’s work visa, is issued to people who work in China or take part in commercial and entertainment performances in China. Once they secure a Foreigner Work Permit Notification Letter, expats can then apply for a Z-Visa at their local visa center or their nearest Chinese Embassy.
Who Can Apply for China Work Visas?
Expats who have obtained a work permit and wish to work in China can then apply for China’s work visa, the age limit of the application is 18-60 years old.
Below are the additional requirements for the applicant:
- Must be in good health.
- Must have no criminal records.
- Must have a valid job offer in China.
- Must have valid job documents.
- Must have relevant skills and experience for the specific position.
The Requirements for China Work Visas
Below are the documents required in order to apply for a China Work Visa:
- A passport with at least six months of validity and two or more blank pages
- A completed visa application form with a passport-sized photograph (48mm X 33mm, taken within 6 months)
- An official job offer from a Chinese employer
- Work permit notification
- Health certificate (if any)
- Certificate stating you have no criminal records
Work Permit Notification Letter Requirements
The work permit notification letter is issued by China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the PRC. In order to get the letter, your employer will need to submit the documents below to the labor bureau:
- The employee’s legalized and authenticated degree or diploma
- Proof of at least two years of work experience in related fields
- The employee’s resume
- Work permit application form
- Verification of employment history
- Verification of educational or professional qualifications
- Copy of the job contract
- Physical examination record
- Information surrounding any accompanying members
How to Apply for a China Work Visa
In order to apply for a China work visa you will need to get a job and prepare and gather your documents first. The steps in the China work visa application process are listed in further detail below:
1. Get a Job in China
The first step in applying for a China work visa is you must already have a job offer in China. After that, apply for a foreigner’s work permit notification letter, to which your employer will have to submit the documents mentioned above to the local labor bureau.
The waiting time for the notification letter, which states your eligibility for working in China, is around 3-4 weeks.
2. Prepare and Gather The Necessary Documents
Once you get your notification letter in three or four weeks, gather the required documents in order to proceed with the China work visa application. Make sure that you prepare all the documents as outlined to prevent any delays or setbacks.
3. Applying for the Visa
Once you have your documents prepared, bring those and the work permit notification letter and proceed with your China work visa application at either your local visa office or the Chinese embassy or consulate.
4. Pay Application Fees
You will be required to pay the application fees in order to obtain your visa. The cost will vary depending on your nationality and the number of entries you wish to have.
The processing time for your China work visa approval will take approximately 4 working days, though it may take longer depending on the number of applications that the visa office or embassy accepts.
5. Receive Your Visa and Head to China
After at least four working days, your China work visa should then get approved. In that case, head over to China. Within the first 24 hours of arriving in China, you will have to make a temporary registration with the police at the local police station in the area you’re staying in.
If you are staying in a hotel, then the hotel will do the registration for you.
6. Work Permit Application
Within 15 days of arriving in China, you must then apply for a work permit.
To apply for a work permit, submit your passport, one passport-size photo, a medical certificate, and police registration to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The processing time for a work permit is five working days.
7. Residence Permit Application
After you’ve gotten your work permit, you will then need to apply for a residence permit at the Public Security Bureau Exit and Entry Administration within 30 days of entering China. The processing time for your residence permit will take around 15 working days and is valid for a year.
The Cost of Applying for China Work Visas
Below is a general outline of the cost of applying for a China Work Visa. Fees will vary depending on your nationality.
| Nationality | Visa Fee (Chinese Yuan) |
| United States | CNY 1,006 (approximately USD $139) |
| United Kingdom | CNY 860 (approximately GBP 95) |
| Canada | CNY 558 (approximately CAD $106) |
| Brazil | CNY 1,015 (approximately BRL 724) |
| Australia | CNY 508 (approximately AUD $107) |
| India | CNY 341 (approximately INR 3,947) |
Additionally, certain embassies and consulates will also charge extra fees for expedited services.
- Express Service: CNY 164
- Urgent Service: CNY 283
China Work Permit Classifications
Below are the different classifications for China’s work permit along with the corresponding qualifications:
Class A: High-Level Experts (86 points and above)
Class A refers to scientists, technology leaders, international entrepreneurs, and specialized talents. There are no age, educational, or professional experience restrictions for such talents.
Qualifications:
- You won an international award.
- You’re a well-established entrepreneur.
- You were chosen under the Youth Talent Project.
- China’s talent plan identified you.
- You’ll take a scarce government-encourage job.
Class B: Professionals (60-85 points)
Class B refers to talents meeting specific educational, professional, or work criteria as per China’s regulations. Usually, those with a bachelor’s degree or over two years of work experience are eligible for class B work permits.
Qualifications:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or two years of working experience.
- Hold a master’s degree from a university in mainland China.
- Hold a master’s degree from one of China’s top 100 universities in the world.
Foreign language teachers must have at least a bachelor’s degree or two years of work experience and must be native speakers of the language they teach.
Class C: Ordinary Foreigners (59 points or less)
Class C refers to ordinary foreigners who are only employed in temporary (no more than 90 days), seasonal, non-technical, or service positions adhering to China’s policies and regulations.
Qualifications:
- Entering China only for temporary/seasonal/non-technical/service positions.
- Entering China for an internship under a government agreement.
- Serve as domestic helpers of A-class employees.
China Work Permit Eligibility
To qualify for a Chinese work permit, the employer must comply legally while employees must be at least 18 years of age, have the required skills, and be confirmed as a China employee for their specific role.
For instance, the employer must legally comply, offer roles of special necessity in case domestic candidates aren’t available, ensure wages meet or exceed local standards, and secure necessary industry-specific regulatory approvals for foreign employees.
Meanwhile, the employee must be at least 18 years old and in good health, have no criminal records, have the required skills, and must be confirmed as an employee in China for their particular role.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I stay in China with a work visa?
With a China work visa, you can stay for 30 days and you must apply for a temporary residence permit during that time. The resident permit is valid for the duration of your job contract, which is a maximum of 90 days and a maximum of five years.
How long does it take to get a China work visa?
When you apply for a China work visa, the processing time is around four working days.
I have a China work visa, can I bring a family member along?
Any accompanying family member will need to apply for an S-visa (China private visa) and they must also provide an invitation letter from a relative holding a China work visa as well as proof of relationship.
Conclusion
In conclusion, China’s work visa application procedure is relatively straightforward provided that you gather up all the documents required and strictly follow the guidelines. Upon arriving in China, make sure to proceed immediately with the police or hotel registration accordingly.
Whichever class you qualify as for China’s work permit, make sure you tick the boxes for the basic eligibility criteria such as being at least 18 years old and in good health, make sure you are free of criminal records, have the required skills, and have a confirmed job offer in China.
As a leading international health insurance broker, Pacific Prime has over two decades of experience in matching both local citizens and expats to the health insurance plan that not only matches their unique healthcare needs but also their comfortable budget range as well.
Whether you’re a local Chinese citizen yourself or an expat living in China, Pacific Prime and our team of specialists are more than happy to help you out. And if you have any further questions, please get in touch with us.
Enjoyed this article? Check out our other articles below!
Healthcare Access in China for Expats
15 Proactive Health Strategies for Expats in China
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
- A Guide to Hospitals in Turkey for Expats and Visitors - October 11, 2024
- Hospitals in Cuba for Expats - October 11, 2024
- AXA Thailand: Top Thailand Insurance Provider For Expats - October 11, 2024
Helpful Articles
Universal Health Insurance Coverage In Thailand
Thailand Vs. The Philippines – A Travel Guide
Travel Insurance For Thailand Resident: Types Of Plans
Thailand Health Insurance For Long-Term Visitors
Thailand on a Shoestring
Helpful Articles
NOW Health International Health Insurance for Expats in China
Cigna Expat Health Insurance Plans in China
China Visa Regulations – Staying Compliant as an Expat
MSH International Expat Health Coverage in China
Comments
Comments for this post are closed.
We'll notify you
when our team replies!