Anyone wanting to work in China must enter the country on a Z-visa. Information on the required documents is available from the Chinese embassy in your home country. The responsible authority is the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
After arriving in China, the necessary paperwork for a working stay must be completed within 30 days. Stays of more than six months generally require an HIV test.
Documents required for a Chinese work visa
- Copy of passport
- CV / resume
- Registration Form of Temporary Residence (issued after registering with the local police once you arrive in China)
- University degree certificate
- Employment contract
- Employer's Business License and Organization Code License
- Health certificate (can be obtained in China or abroad, e.g. at the Beijing International Travel Healthcare Center)
- For the company's legal representative, additionally: a) copy of the company's Articles of Association, b) company shareholder list
Steps to apply for the visa
1) Gather all required documents.
2) Application for a work permit (usually done from abroad by the employer). Processing takes a few weeks.
3) With the work permit and the company's invitation letter, apply for the Z-visa at the Chinese embassy in your home country — meaning you need to leave China to do this (a short trip to Hong Kong is no longer sufficient). The Z-visa is valid for one month.
4) Health certificate, obtainable in China or at home.
5) Since 2017, the old Alien Employment Permit and Foreign Expert Certificate have been merged into a single "Foreigner's Work Permit" card (with A/B/C talent categories), issued after returning to China with the Z-visa and health certificate. 6) Once you have the Foreigner's Work Permit, you apply for the Residence Permit.
