The following information is targeted to individuals outside of China (and accordingly are applying to make the move to China for work). We will also be focusing on teaching positions (since this is our area of expertise). Lets begin our guide to the Chinese working visa…
So you have had a successful interview with an employer. You have agreed to join the school or company and you are now ready to make the move to China. Cool right? But just exactly what do you need to do now? The process may seem daunting, but it really is just a logical process made up of a few steps. We will divide the entire process into 6 main steps.
Guide to the Chinese working visa: So just what type of visa do I need?
To work legally in China, regardless of your chosen profession, you need a Z visa. While there are a small minority of employers out there reassuring job seekers that it’s ok to teach on a business (M) or tourist (L) visa, doing so is illegal and risky. Our advice is to be smart, do your homework, and insist on a Z visa. Only registered schools are authorized to provide Z visas to their teachers. The guide to the Chinese working visa places huge importance on this.
Brief overview of the Chinese Z visa
The Z visa is the stepping stone to legally working in China. It’s valid for 30 days upon entry to China. Once you have your Z Visa, you will need to register at the local police station, obtain a Work Permit and finally, be granted a Residence Permit. Once you have your Residence Permit, you can officially stay and work in China. That’s basically the official process in a nutshell.
To obtain the Z visa outside of China, you will first need to be offered a job. This will entitle you to a Work Permit, which you need to apply for the Z visa. The Work Permit itself should be arranged by your employer/school in China, who will be licensed to employ foreigners. Like we mentioned above, if your employer isn’t offering a Z Visa, they may not be an authorized registered school. It’s worth looking elsewhere to teach if this is the case.
Guide to the Chinese working visa: What are the requirements for a Z visa?
To be eligible for a Z Visa, you will need to meet the requirements to teach English which are generally set out by your school in China. While these requirements may differ from school to school, they tend to revolve around three main components:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in any subject
- Two Years Work Experience
- TEFL certificate (120 hours)
Keep in mind, the cut off age for individuals applying for a Z visa is 60 years of age. This may change in the future, but for now, only individuals younger than 60 should apply.
Guide to the Chinese working visa: What do I need to do in my home country?
Before you can jet off to China, there are two important steps to complete in the working visa process: 1. Obtain a Work Permit Application. 2. Z Visa application.
Step One – Work Permit Application
The first step of the visa process is getting your Work Permit Application. For this to happen, you will need to have been offered a job. Your employer will ask you to send them a pretty large number of documents so that they can arrange the Work Permit Application on your behalf. This is the longest list of documents that you will need to submit throughout the process, so once this step is completed, the rest of the steps are easier!
These may vary between schools, but typically expect to send the following:
- Scanned Copy of your Passport – a full two-page scan of the information and signature pages. Your passport must have at least one year of validity left
- Resume/CV – this should clearly state your education and working background
- Scanned Document Copies of: Bachelor’s degree certificate, Bachelor’s degree transcripts, TEFL certificate
- Photos – these must meet certain criteria regarding size and content, and have been taken in the last 6 months.
- Medical Forms
- Physical Examination form
- Reference letter (if applicable)
- Social Security Number (if from the US)
- Background Check – this non-criminal background check must be valid within 6 months of applying for your Work Permit
Document Authentication
The school will ask for some documents to be authenticated. You will need to do this in your home country. This is typically a three- to four-step process that varies according to country but will normally include the following: notarized copy of the original diploma, authentication at the state level, translation into Chinese, authentication at a Chinese Embassy/Consulate.
Step Two – Z Visa application
Ok, so now you have your Work Permit Application, time for the next step of the guide to the Chinese working visa. This requires much less documentation. First, complete the Chinese Working Visa Application Form online, then print it out, gather up the following documents and head to the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in your home country:
- Completed visa application form
- Work Permit Application
- Passport
- Passport photo
The Z visa should take around 3 – 7 days to process, but it can take longer. If you’ve got this far, you shouldn’t have the visa rejected. You’ll be notified once it has been processed so you can go collect it.
Guide to the Chinese working visa: After you have touched down in China
You’ve made it to China: hard part is over. You now have 30 days to turn your Z Visa into a Residency Permit (the Z Visa only gets you into China, the Residency Permit ensures you can stay). As your Z visa is single-entry, you will not be able to leave China until you get your residency permit, but after that, you are free to exit and enter as often as you like.
Only four more steps to go (your school will assist you through these next stages, so don’t stress).
Step Three – Registration
One of the first things you must do upon landing in China is register at the local police station where you’ll be living. This needs to be done within 24 hours of your arrival, so our advice is to get it done ASAP. It’s a pretty straightforward step – just take your passport to the station (and if you have your home address). Your employer will always assist and guide you through this.
Step Four – Medical Check
It is highly likely that you will be required to do a quick medical check within 30 days of your arrival in China. It should be organized by your employer and they should accompany you to the hospital. It’s a pretty simple procedure and is nothing to worry about. You will need to bring the following documents with you to the medical check:
- Passport
- Photocopies of passport material pages (picture and information page, visa page, and entry stamp page)
- 5 passport-style photos (your employer may organize for these to be taken)
- Medical check fee (varies, but is pretty cheap)
The follow-up Health Certificate can take a couple of working days to process and all being well, your employer should register this with the authorities.
Step Five – Work Permit Card
Next up is the Work Permit Card, which you will need to apply for your Residence Permit. Your employer will assist you with this. Expect to submit the following documents:
- Passport
- One photo
- Medical Check (if applicable)
- Police Registration form (from your arrival in China)
Generally, the Work Permit Card will take around 5 days to process but may take longer.
Step Six – Residence Permit
The end is now in sight as you finally complete the last step of the visa journey. Again, your employer will assist you with this.
To apply for your Residence Permit, you must appear in person at your local Public Security Bureau (PBS). Remember, you need to have applied for this Residency Permit within 30 days of your arrival in China. Bring yourself and the following to the PBS:
- Passport (this will be kept by the PBS for the processing period)
- Work Certificate
- Police Registration form
- Medical check
- Resident Permit application forms
- One photo
Expect the processing time of the Residence Permit to be approx 10 – 15 days, depending on the city you’re applying in. You don’t need the Residence Permit in your hand before your 30 days is up, but you need to have applied for it.
Finally
As soon as you have that Residence Permit, that’s it! You are now completely free to go and please and you wish within China and outside of China. Soak it all in, and enjoy. We hope our complete guide to the Chinese working visa process has helped.
