When it comes to economic prosperity, China is a fantastic country that has lifted millions of people out of poverty. The country’s economic framework also provides opportunities for overseas workers who wish to relocate.
If you are also looking for countries to work in, China must be on your list and in this guide, we will guide you about getting a work visa for the country. First of all, it must be mentioned that foreigners will need a Z or a China work visa for work purposes.
China Work Visa
A work visa for China is a must for doing any kind of job in the country. It is also called a Z visa.
Eligibility
All those candidates who get a job offer or have a work permit in China are eligible to apply for a work visa. For age, all applicants must be 18 to 60 years old.
The following conditions need to be met for the China work visa:
- All candidates must be in good health
- All candidates must have a clear criminal record
- All candidates must have a valid job offer in China
- All candidates must have valid travel documents
- All candidates must have relevant skills and experience for the specific position
Required documents for China Work Visa
The following documents are needed to apply for a work visa to China:
- A valid passport
- A typewritten completed application form
- Passport size photographs
- TEFL/TESOL certificate authorized by the Chinese embassy or consulate (applicable only for teaching positions)
- Registration Certificate from foreign countries for the Resident Representative Offices of Enterprises. Chinese authorities of industrial and commercial administration issue the certificate
- The Chinese government authorities for Cultural Affairs will issue the approval document for commercial performance, so you must keep that document with you.
- Medical examination report from an authorized hospital
- Reference letter
- Record about criminal history
Foreigners Work Permit notification letter will also be needed and you can get it if your employer submits the following documents to the labor bureau:
- Diploma or degree (legalized and authenticated)
- Evidence of at least two years of work experience in the relevant field
- Resume
- Application form for a work permit
- Employment history verification
- Verified educational and professional certificates
- Job contract copy
- Records of Physical examination
Category of China Work Permit
There are multiple categories of work permits in China and the qualification and skills of foreign candidates will decide which category best suits them. Following are some of the categories though most of the workers fall in categories B and C:
Class A: High-Level Experts: This is for those candidates who have won an international award or are well-established entrepreneurs or were chosen under the Youth Talent Project or have been identified by China’s talent plan or have taken a scarce, government-encouraged job.
Class B: Professionals: The candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree who have at least two years of work experience or who have a master’s degree from a mainland China university or who have a master’s degree from one of the top 100 universities in the world fall in this category.
It is to be kept in mind that foreign language teachers must have a bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of work experience for the work visa. In addition, the applicants must be native speakers of the language they are teaching, Youthpop reported.
Class C: Lower-Skilled Workers: The candidates who travel to China for seasonal employment or travel to China for an internship under a government agreement or are domestic helpers of Class A employees fall in this category.
Points-Based Qualification
There is an alternate system for China Work Visa and you can also qualify through the following points system:
Class A: 86 points and above
Class B: 60 to 85 points
Class C: 59 points and below
Duration of stay
Foreigners are allowed to stay for up to 30 days. After that, they must apply for a temporary residence permit that will be valid for the duration of their job contract, which is 90 days and a maximum of 5 years. We can therefore say that the duration of stay could be 5 years.
Processing time
The processing time varies depending on multiple factors.
How to apply for China Work Visa
First of all, the applicant must secure a job in China after which his/her employer will apply for a Foreigner’s Work Permit notification letter. In this regard, documents need to be submitted to the local Labor Bureau which will process the case in 3 to 4 weeks. This letter indicates whether the applicant is eligible to work in China or not.
After the notification letter is received, the rest of the required and necessary documents should be collected to apply for the China work visa.
Now comes the most important part wherein foreigners should apply for a visa at any local visa office, consulate/Chinese embassy.
Foreigners must also pay the application fees. The cost of the fee varies and depends on your country and the number of entries one desire.
After you submit the application for a visa, the next step is to wait for evaluation and decision on your application. In case you receive the visa, you are ready to take your trip to China but keep in mind that you will need to make a temporary registration with the police near your residence within the first 24 hours of your arrival in China. However, if your stay is in any hotel, then they will make the registration themselves.
Another critical step is that you will require medical verification as soon as you enter the country. If you already have a translated medical checkup from another country, you are not required to get another one.
After processing, your notification letter will be converted into a work permit, and you will be ready to apply for a work visa.
You will now submit all necessary documents for the work visa. After obtaining a work permit, apply for a residence permit at the Public Security Bureau Exit and Entry Administration within 30 days of arriving in China.
It is to be kept in mind that one should thoroughly access himself/herself in terms of the point-based system or category A, B, and C mentioned above before applying to save time and money.
