My previous post about Applying for the China Work Visa (Z-visa) seemed to generate some interest, so I thought I’d post a quick follow-up on transferring your visa/work permit over to another company when you change jobs.

If your company doesn’t handle it for you, you’ll most likely want to go through a visa agency. Apparently the process is a bit complicated, so you’ll probably want the guanxi that an agency has on your side to ensure that it goes smoothly.

You’ll need the following documents:

• Your passport (original and a copy)
• Five 2-inch passport sized color photos
• Work permit application form (stamped with your company’s seal/chop)
• A copy of your new labor contract
• A copy of your CV/resume (English and Chinese copy)
• List of your skills, qualifications, references, and any other relevant documents (English and Chinese copy)
• Copy of your academic qualifications
• Copy of your company’s Business License
• Copy of your company’s Enterprise Code License
• Copy of your company’s Approval Certificate (only for foreign investment companies)
• Temporary Registration form (that you receive from your local police station)
• Letter of Dismissal from your previous company (this is VERY important – your previous company must give you an official letter of release, stamped with their company seal/chop)

The process can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months, so be prepared to be without your passport for a while. The government fee for this is about 600 RMB, and agencies will add a service fee of anywhere from 1000 – 1300 RMB on top of this. It seems like a lot, but it definitely beats paying 8000 RMB or more for an F business visa.

When all is said and done, you’ll have a new work permit good for another year, and a new residence permit in your passport (that takes up another page, so be sure you have at least 1 or 2 available).

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.

Read the rest of this entry →