Visas
China
Introduction
There are four main steps to getting a work visa in China. The specific requirements and timing of these steps may vary from one city to another but are typically as follows
- Step 1 - Visa Application: Before going to China, you must apply for an entry visa at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live.
- Step 2 - Medical Examination: You are required to complete a medical examination before getting a Work Permit and Residence Permit in China. The medical examination may be performed abroad or in China depending on the city of your assignment. See Medical Examination section below.
- Step 3 – Work Permit: You must apply for a Work Permit booklet at the local Chinese Labour Bureau to work in China.
- Step 4 – Residence Permit (also known as multiple entry work visa): You must also apply for a Residence Permit at the local Public Security Bureau in order to remain in China legally during your Work Permit validity period.
Do I need a visa
With very few exceptions, everyone needs a visa to travel to China
Really useful sites
Main visa types
A visa is a permit issued by the Chinese governmental authorities to allow foreigners to enter or transit through the Chinese territory.
Some cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, generally require a transferee to enter China after obtaining a Single-Entry Z Work Visa issued by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate abroad. Other cities allow a transferee to enter China with a Non-Resident Visa such as an L Tourist Visa or F Business Visa and convert that status to a Resident Visa through the application for Work Permit and Residence Permit in China. A Residence Permit issued based on such application is equivalent to a Multiple-Entry Z Work Visa and permits one to travel in and out of China without limitations during its validity period.
The two main visas are:
Single Entry Z Work Visa
A single-entry Z work visa is valid for 90 days. This means that you must enter China within the 90-day period. After you enter, you must convert your Z visa to a Residence Permit within 30 days. Once you get your Residence Permit, it will replace the Z visa as your travel and residence document.
L Tourist Visa
L tourist visa is valid for 90 or 180 days, which means you must travel to China within 90 or 180 days of visa issuance. After you enter, you can generally stay in China for 30 days. L visa can generally be renewed in China up to two times, for another 30 days each.
You may start your employment once your Work Permit is issued. It usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks to receive the Work Permit after you arrive in China. The residence and work permits are generally issued for one year. Senior management and legal representative of a company may qualify for a longer renewal period of 2 to 5 years.
Are you eligible?
A Chinese national who also has a foreign passport will be treated as a foreign citizen and must apply for an entry visa, Work Permit and Residence Permit.
Main conditions
You will need to bring the following documents with you:
Passport, passport size photos, resume, original or copy of diploma (depends on the assignment city), original medical examination report (with results of lab tests), original or copy of signed employment contract/letter (depends on the assignment city), original Employment License (once issued by the authority), original or copy of marriage certificate (depends on the assignment city), if your spouse will travel with you; original or copy of birth certificate (depends on the assignment city) if you have children.
Some cities require original documents while others accept copies. If you do not have the originals, please let the outside counsel know in advance.
Please do not ship these items with the rest of your household belongings because you will need to present them to complete the Residence and Work Permit applications upon your arrival in China.
You should bring the following original documents: employment license (if applicable), degree diploma, signed employment contract/letter; marriage certificate; your children’s original birth certificates. In addition, you should also bring your original medical examination report (including the lab results for X-ray, ECG, and blood test), if completed before you enter China.
Due to regional variations, you should check with the outside counsel which original documents you need to bring before you leave for China.
Note that the procedure for getting the medical examination is specific to each locality in China for example in Beijing, you are required to have your medical examination completed in advance of your travel but no more than 3 months before you enter China. In Shanghai it is usually recommend that you have your medical examination completed in China because the local health authorities generally do not endorse foreign medical examinations and will require that a new medical examination be completed at a local hospital.
Application process
The entire application process usually takes from 6 to 8 weeks but can be shorter if you are travelling with a passport or travel document issued by China, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan. The first part of the application process will be completed before you leave for China; while the second part, the Work Permit and Residence Permit applications, will be initiated after you arrive in China. Your medical examination may be completed before or after you go to China, depending on the local requirements where you will be assigned.
Please note that you cannot start your employment in China until the Work Permit has been issued. It can take about 2 weeks to obtain a Work Permit upon your arrival in China so please plan accordingly.
Original passports must be submitted for issuance of your entry visa, Work Permit and Residence Permit. Passports are generally returned in 3 to 4 days during the visa application process; 1 day after the Work Permit process; and up to 10 days during the Residence Permit process.
You cannot travel to China until you have been issued an entry visa stamp by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate abroad to start your assignment. Please also note that your visa may only be valid for a single entry and does not allow additional travels. If you need to travel while the applications are being processed, please contact the outside counsel in advance to ensure that it will not complicate or delay the application process.
- Visas by destination
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Canada
- South Africa
- UK
- US
- China
- Singapore
- UAE
- Europe (General Advice)