Applying for the China work visa (Z-visa)
So I finally accepted a job offer and now it’s time to go through the fun-filled work visa process. The whole visa situation in China is arguably a bit of a grey area. The restrictions have been getting tighter every year and the process more confusing.
Long gone are the days when foreigners could easily get 1-year, multiple entry “business invitation” F-visas in Hong Kong for $80. These days you’re lucky to get an F/business visa at all, and most L/travel visas are single entry with a maximum stay of 90 days per entry. This results in costly visa runs out of the country every few months, not to mention the whole illegal alien status thing.
Here are the steps I took to get my Z-visa. As with many things in China, not everything is set in stone. Depending on your hiring company, your miles may vary.
Also see ShanghaiExpat’s guide to getting the Z visa.
Step 0: Initial Health Check
This initial medical check-up is not actually necessary for the visa, but some companies require it before they waste their time and money on having you complete the rest of the process.
The medical exam took place at Shanghai Ren Ai hospital on Caoxi Road, across the street from IKEA. As instructed, I didn’t eat anything and arrived at the hospital for my 9 AM appointment. After paying the 100 RMB fee, patients are given a book of receipts. You then go to each test station and give the doctor/nurse the receipt for that station that they fill out and keep. When you are out of receipts, you’re finished. The hospital will courier the results to you in a day or so.
First up, blood test. You sit down at a counter and put your arm on a pillow while the nurse takes your blood. It’s a bit weird because you have to rush to the front of the line, and there are 10 people behind you impatiently waiting. No privacy here.
Next, you walk over to a big scale where they measure your height and weight, followed by the blood pressure table. Again, all of this is out in the open.
Because I spoke some basic Chinese, I guess the nurses assumed I was fluent and started barraging me with questions using medical terminology. I did not have a clue. For all I know, I nodded ‘yes’ to having all sorts of allergies and diseases. Either way, they laughed and escorted me to the next tests, the rest of which were in semi-private rooms.
Next was an eye test. Interestingly enough, the eye chart only had E, 3, W, and M. At least it wasn’t full of characters I didn’t understand. After the eye chart, I had to do a color test (where you look at a fractal-like picture that is orange and has a greenish picture or number in it). Unfortunately, the first image had an embedded mosquito. I didn’t know the Chinese word for mosquito, so I made a buzzing sound and flapped my arms around. The lady looked a bit confused so she looked for another picture. The next one had a number. When I said the number in Chinese, she was amazed: “Wow! You speak Chinese so well!” I imagine an overseas Chinese in Canada going through the same test. I doubt they’d be complimented for their English use.
Then it was on to some test where I had to lay down and the lady started poking my ribs, and then I stood up and it felt like a police search. She said “OK” and gave me a thumbs up, so I guess I passed. Next test was a sonogram, and then finally downstairs to radiology.
The whole process took less than 30 minutes, and after all the tests they give you free breakfast.
Step 1: Obtain Alien Employment License and Invitation Letter
After the initial health check, you must apply for an Alien Employment License and Invitation letter. The hiring company should take care of this, but you’ll need the following documentation:
- Copy of your CV
- Copy of degree, diploma, or other certification/documentation that shows you have some training or background in the field of the position you’re applying for
- Reference letters from past employers. If employed in China, you’ll need demission letters with company stamp/chop
- Copy of your passport
- Copy of your visa
- Abroad contact information
After submitting all of these materials, if all goes well the government will issue you the nicely laminated Alien Employment License and cheaply printed Invitation Letter in about 8 business days.
Step 2: Apply for the Z-visa in Hong Kong
Now to apply for the visa, which you must do outside of China. During the 2008 Olympics, you had to go back to your home country to apply for it. For now however, you can do it from Hong Kong. You can apply at the immigration building in Wan Chai or use a visa service.
I opted to go with a visa service since I wanted to go the quickest route possible. In either case, you need to provide them with:
- 1 x 2-inch passport photo
- Your passport (with at least 6 months remaining validity and 3 blank pages)
- Employment License
- Invitation Letter
- Hiring company’s contact information
Using a visa service agency, they should be able to give you your visa by the next day. If you opt for a rush service, they should be able to get it back to you in the afternoon if you drop off your passport in the morning. The agency I used charged 700 HKD for next day, 1250 HKD for same-day rush service. These prices are for Canadian passport holders; different countries have different fees, the most expensive being for US passport holders. Note that unlike travel visas, you can only apply for the Z visa between Monday and Friday, and rush service may not be available on Fridays.
So if all goes well again, you will receive the Z visa. The process still needs be to finalized by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) in China, so with your new visa you have 30 days to apply for the Work Permit and Residence Permit. Time to go back to the Mainland.
Step 3: Temporary Residence Form
By law, any foreigner who enters China must register with the PSB within 24 hours. Most don’t however, because 1) you’re never told this before you leave home, on the airplane, or on arrival, and 2) it only becomes a problem if you have to deal with the government (e.g. for visa issues). I got stuck with this a couple of years back when I overstayed my visa and ended up paying a 400 RMB fine. I had to go back and forth all over town between the local police station and PSB in Pudong. Not fun.
So, when you get back to China with your new Z visa you MUST go to your local police station within 24 hours and get an alien temporary residence permit. You will need this to complete the visa process with the PSB and may get fined up to 500 RMB if you register late.
To apply, go to your local police station and bring the following:
- Your passport with valid visa
- Your apartment lease and rental contract. If you don’t rent your own apartment, you need to bring in the rental contract of the person you’re staying with. If you’re staying at a hotel, any hotel that can legally rent rooms to foreigners can register for you.
- Photocopies of your passport and visa pages, and your rental contract
Step 4: Health Check
For the ‘official’ government health check, you’ll have to go to the Foreign Travelers & Overseas Chinese Medical Clinic in Hongqiao.
The medical exam I had here was virtually identical to the one mentioned above in Step 0. The only difference? This one was rushed, the staff were not friendly, there was no free breakfast and the location itself was not nearly as modern as Shanghai Ren Ai hospital. Oh, and instead of 100 RMB it cost 702 RMB plus a 40 RMB delivery fee for the results. I wonder what percentage some local official gets for making this one the ‘official’ health check location…
The only upside is that the not-so-friendly hospital staff are so used to (and sick of) dealing with foreigners, they’ve become experts at quickly leading you like cattle through each of the tests. The whole exam took less than 20 minutes.
You’ll need the following:
- Your original passport
- Photocopies of the passport and visa pages
- 3 x 2-inch passport photos
- Copy of your company’s business license (with seal)
Step 5: Apply for the Work Permit and Residence Permit
Public Security Bureau (PSB) in Pudong
This is actually two steps, but my company applied for the Work Permit for me. If you have to do it on your own, you’ll need:
- Your original passport with valid Z visa
- 2 photocopies of the Work Permit Application (including company seal)
- Work license
- Copy of your Health Certificate from the health check in Step 4
- Copy of your employment contract
- Copy of your company’s business license (with seal)
- Copy of the organization code certificate
- 3 x 2-inch passport photos
The Work Permit is a little book that contains your photo, some government stamp, and a validity period:
For the Residence Permit, you have to go to Pudong’s Entry Exit Public Security Bureau building at 1500 Minsheng Road 民生路 1500 号. The PSB is a large government building with a bunch of foreigners all applying for visas of some sort, and many others who have overstayed their visas looking confused and concerned. They also sell overpriced Nescafe coffee at 18 RMB a cup in their ‘cafe’.
For the Residence Permit, you’ll need the following:
- Completed Visa Application form with your company’s seal
- Your Work Permit
- Your Health Certificate
- Your Temporary Residence permit
- Copy of the business license (They may ask for the original document. It is very unlikely a company will give you this on your own,
- as in China, this is almost like the ‘deed’ to a company. Your company should send a representative with you.)
- Copy of the organization code certificate
- Employment registration form
- Your original passport with valid Z visa
- 1 x 2-inch passport photos
The police officer at the PSB who accepts your documents will also take a webcam picture with you. The Residence Permit fee is 400 RMB for one year. The whole process took about 2 minutes.
After one week, you FINALLY have your 1-year Residence Permit, which replaces the canceled Z-visa in your passport.
Congratulations. To renew it next year, the process is much easier. Unless you change jobs…
After all of this, who the hell is ready to work? I need a vacation.
29/8/09 Hi There. I really appreciate your webpage here because a guy at an English Language company in China told me today that all new employees must now return to their home country to get the Z-visa. Is that cos of the 60-year celebration? Do you think that will ease and we can go to Hong Kong again after the celebrations are over? This is major for me cos I don’t wanna go all the way back to NZ, Hong Kong is so much easier right? Would appreciate your opinion about this, thanks!
Hey Chris, thanks for the reply. Where in China? At my company in Shanghai, we’ve had new hires go to Hong Kong for the Z visa as recently as 2 weeks ago.
I wouldn’t be surprised if things are getting more strict because of the CPC anniversary though. It seems whenever there is any big event or anniversary, the rules get tightened. On the bright side, every time this has happened the rules get relaxed again shortly after the date passes, so I wouldn’t worry too much.
Hi there
I just got my Z visa, through a Visa Service, but they did not return my employment licence or my invitation letter… do i need these??
Hello Jade,
You will not need the invitation letter, but you will need the employment license. They should return it to you. Was it a visa service in Hong Kong?
Hey, Stephen. Thanks for the information you have provided. It’s a huge help. I’m returning home to Malaysia next week to process my Z-visa. But I’m confused as some websites mentioned that in order to obtain the Z-visa, you’ll need to produce a medical examination form to the China Embassy in Malaysia. But I haven’t done any health examination… Do I need to produce any medical report… Thanks alot..
Hi Anie,
It wasn’t necessary for me or anyone I know in Shanghai. The China Embassy in Hong Kong did not require this. As far as I know, it’s always been OK to do the health exam when you come back to China with your Z visa. (You need the health check to complete the process and get your registration and work permits anyway.)
That said, different areas may have different requirements. Your best bet would be to contact the China Embassy in Malaysia to confirm this. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the info. Stephen. In regards to the health check, do you know if they test you for cannabis?
Thank You
Hi Hunter,
No, they do not test for cannabis or any other drugs. Most likely reason is that the quality of most pot in China is so poor, I doubt it would even show up in the results.
Hi Steven,
I’m looking for employment in China, preferably as german teacher. Now the tricky part is, I don’t have a degree. I studied linguistics for 4 years but didn’t graduate. Still got some of my achievements documented though…
I was teaching english in China for about a year in various schools and 2007 it was still possible to get an F visa in HK easily.
Now with that option down, I’m trying to go through the official process for the next trip. I’m pretty discouraged by the required bachelor degree in most job ads. Now you say that for the alien employment license certain certificates and documentation related to your desired position could suffice…would that mean that a certificate from a 6-months teacher training at the Goethe-Institut Manila can do the trick?
A million thanx!!
Nils
Hi Nils,
Yea, things have really changed. If you looked at ads a few years back, teaching jobs in China never required a bachelor’s degree.
To answer your question, it will really depend on where you’re planning on working – both location in China, and the school itself. Last I heard, the degree is not mandatory for some rural locations where the law is more flexible, but things are a lot stricter in the major cities where a degree is pretty much mandatory for any teaching position.
It is still possible to get a 6-month or 1-year F visa in HK, or even Shanghai, but now it costs a lot more (10x more in some cases).
It’s not much help, but your best bet would be to contact the school directly, and see what they can do for you.
Hey Stephen,
It’s a great site you got here. I am a Canadian citizen, born in Shanghai. I am on a L Visa, and I secured a position in a consulting firm here, my background is in economics. The company is getting my Z-visa for me, but of course I have to provide info and work with them along the process. They have just send in my initial application for Alien Employment License last week. I am scheduled to receive it this week. I am planning to head over to HK for the Z-visa. All that was clear anc cut, but my Canadian passport only has 2 pages left. I was wondering if i renew my passport now, will it have the same passport number or will there be any complication with the visa process. thx!
Hi Harry,
Thanks for checking out the site!
About your passport: Getting your new passport before you go to HK is a good idea. They may have an issue issuing you a new visa with only 2 pages free. Your new passport will have a new passport number, but they’ll VOID one and tie it to your new one (with elastic or something). Just hand in both passports together and it won’t be an issue.
The only complication will be the delay it takes to get your new passport from the Canadian Consulate in Shanghai (it can take 15 business days). Get express service if you can because if you overstay your visa, you may be fined.
The Canadian Consulate may tell you they will ‘give you a signed declaration’ to give to the PSB explaining why you overstayed your visa. DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS! The PSB does not care about why the Canadian Consulate made it late – I gave them this document and they just said “late is late” and I was still fined!
Hey Stephen,
Great advice! I was thinking the same. I might follow this route:
1) Getting all the paper work that I need for the Z visa with my old passport, this week next week.
2) Renew my L visa for another month, while waiting for my new passport, and transfer the new L visa from old to new passport in Shanghai
3) Go to HK with all the paper work and both passport for the Z visa
4) Come back to Shanghai to finalize everything and hopefully get my Resident Permit.
Do you think this is a good idea!
Btw, where u from in Canada, I am from Toronto area. Go Leafs Go! lol!
Hi Harry,
Sounds good except:
2) Renew my L visa for another month, while waiting for my new passport, and transfer the new L visa from old to new passport in Shanghai
Problem here is that you have to give your old passport to the Canadian Consulate to get the new passport… so you won’t have it to give to the PSB to renew your L visa. Also, I heard that as of November 2009, you can only renew an L visa in Shanghai for one additional month. You’ll want to confirm this, but if you already renewed it for one month I’m not sure you can renew it a second time.
Hope this helps!
I’m originally from North Bay, but lived in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal before coming to the Middle Kingdom.
Hey Stephen,
thx for all ur help!
I renewed my L Visa a month ago, and the officer told me that I could renew it one more time. Anyways, I guess, I could renew the visa first then get a new passport. The expiration day of the potential visa renewl is Feb 11th. I think that should be enough time for me get a new passport and go HK for Z visa. God help me!
Hi! Extremely informative site. Thks.
I’ll be going over to China to work, starting there mid Jan. Initially, they posted me to Shanghai. Now, they’ve changed it to Shenzhen. Same company but different branch location. To reissue the invitation letter and employment license, shenzhen apparently needs 1 mth. I however already have the same documents previously prepared for Shanghai. Understand that there is no issue to get the z-visa with the one issued in Shanghai. Can you please confirm? Plus, will use this same document to apply for work and residents permit in Shenzhen and am afraid that the employment license, being issued by Shanghai, may pose a problem. Would that be so?
Thks.
Hi Jin,
I think that once you have the Z-visa it wouldn’t be a problem, but I can’t be sure. There must be some transfer process in place for a situation like this but either way, you’ll definitely want to talk to either a visa service or the PSB in Shenzhen and see what the official policy is. Good luck, and post back if you can – I’d be interested to learn how this works out.
Hey Stephen,
Could u tell me which visa service agency u used?
thx
Harry
Hi Steven,
Jin again. I’m now in Shenzhen and yea, got in without a problem cause the z-visa doesn’t really state where. And according to my admin, no issues on converting the employment license that says Shanghai to the shenzhen work permit.
But omg……….the procedures here in Shenzhen are way tedious! I think it’s more slack in other provinces. Already did a medical check up for the Z-visa at home(and they only allowed medical check up at the specified local hospital – which i did).
Now here, i have to redo the medical checkup. Don’t understand why they can’t use the same report if the previous medical checkup was in the first place at a place only authorised by them. Moreover, even the photo needed, had to be taken in shenzhen itself. I brought my own recent passport size photo but that can’t be used. Cause, it has to be done here so that the shop that takes the photo can issue a receipt that specifies that the photo is suitable for work permit application. Soooo strict. They’ll need original diploma certs too(which i don’t have with me now! only copies). Copies won’t do. And, an interview is apparently needed.
All of it is being arranged by my company. And in a way, i’m not sure if it’s my company, wanting to make sure there are no glitches, or it’s really by experience that these HAVE to be how it goes for fastest and smoothest application. Would in way like to just find some means of double checking these procedures but found nothing on it in the web. Just want to speed the process up cause want to get it done by cny in order to leave the country for CNY.
Ok. Enough of ranting~~~
@Harry
Do you mean agency in HK? In HK, I used this one for the Z visa. If you are looking to get an F or L visa though, there are much cheaper agencies in Kowloon. I never used an agency in Mainland China because the company handled it.
@Jin,
Wow… sounds like all of that extra bureaucracy has more to do with guanxi and certain clinics and photo studios making money than with actual logic. And I thought things would be more relaxed in Shenzhen – I guess not! That really sucks, hope everything works out ok.
Btw… I recently switched jobs and am now going through the process of getting my Z visa transferred to my new company. Not fun, and it’s taking a LONG time…
hi stepehn! thanks for putting up this site. it was really very helpful. i have a question though. i am from manila, philippines and i got hired by a company in dongguan, guangdong. I am going to our chinese embassy here in manila tomorrow for z visa application. i have with me the invitation letter issued by the labor ministry of china. however, i do not have the employment license. is this still necessary or can i apply for z visa with just the invitation letter? how about the visa notification form? is the visa notification form the same as the visa application form? many thanks!
Hi there. The employment license was necessary in Hong Kong, but the China Embassy in Manila may not require it. I guess you will find out tomorrow!
I’m not sure what the visa notification form is, although it sounds like it’s probably just the application form – is the embassy asking for it?
Hi stephen,
If a foreigner in China under an F visa is found sick (for example suffering from syphilis or any other STI)during the health examination process, can he extend his F visa to get medical care and restart the process once healed or he has to leave China ? What is the Chinese policy about foreigners suffering from infectious deseases ?