The Guide for Foreigners to Obtaining Work Permit and Visa in China

From April 1, 2017 , the work permit system of foreigners in China shall be implemented in a unified manner across the country. The Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners and the Work Permit for Foreigners shall be issued. Foreigners working in China will undergo the relevant formalities of visa and residence upon the strength of the Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners and the Work Permit for Foreigners.

This article is a comprehensive gui de to introduc ing th e whole process, shape the documents required for foreigners how to apply for the Work Permit and the relev ant formalities of visa and residence .

Overview:

Step 1 ：Application for the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit before Entering China

Step 2 ： Application for the Work Visa (Z Visa)

Step 3： Reg istration of Temporary Residence

Step 4： Application for the Work Permit for Foreigners after Entering China

Step 5： Appl ication for the Residence Permit

I. Application for the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit before Entering China

Reception Authority: Foreign Experts Affairs

Approval Period : 15 working days

The employer directly ac c ess es to the Service System for Foreigners Working in China to register and submit the application : http://fwp.safea.gov.cn/

Documents Required:

1. Application Form for Foreigner’s Work Permit: Before entering China, fill in the online application and print it out.
2. Work Qualification Certificate: The previous employer of the applicant shall issue a work experience certificate related to his/her current position, covering the information about the position, work duration, and the projects that have been completed.
3. The highest degree (academic qualification) certificate and certification documents or relevant approval documents and professional qualification certificates.
4. Certificate of no criminal record and certification documents.
5. Certificate of physical examination: A certificate of verification on physical examination record for foreigners or a certificate of health examination issued within six months by China’s inspection and quarantine authority shall be provided.
6. Employment contract or employment certificate: The submitted contract shall be in Chinese, signed by the applicant and stamped by the employer.
7. Passport or international travel certificate with no less than six months validity.
8. Applicant’s bareheaded and full-face photo taken no more than six months ago.
9. Accompanying family members’ credentials: Accompanying family members include spouse, children below 18, parents, and parents-in-law.

Sample：

II. Application for the Work Visa (Z Visa)

Reception Authority： Chinese Embassy

Approval Period： 7 working days

Documents Required:

1. Actual passport
2. Completed visa application form and one recent passport-size photo
3. The Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit

Sample： The new vision of 2019.06.1

III. Registration of Temporary Residence

Reception Authority: Local police station

Approval Period : Immediately

Foreign nationals in China require register their temporary residence with the public security bureau (PSB) within 24 hours after the foreigners ’ arrival at that dwelling place .

IV. Application for the Work Permit for Foreigners after Entering China

The foreigner shall apply for the Work Permit within 15 days after Entering China.

Reception Authority: Foreign Experts Affairs

Approval Period : 15 working days

Documents Required :

1. Application Form for Foreigner’s Work Permit.
2. Applicant’s certificate of physical examination
3. Applicant’s valid visa or residence permit: Visa page, latest entry signature page, or the information page of the residence permit of the passport (or of the international travel certificate).
4. Other documents: Documents provided as required by the reception authority or the decision-making authority.

Sample:

V. Application for the Residence Permit (Work)

The foreigner shall apply for the Residence Permit within 30 days after Entering China .

Reception authority: The Exit-Entry Administration Department of Public Security Bureau

Approval Period : 7 working days

Documents Required:

1. Original Passport
2. Providing effective Receipt for Digital Photo Collection in Visa for Foreigners with the applicant’s signature.
3. Copy of the 《 Registration of Temporary Residence for Visitors 》
4. Accompanying family members’ credentials: the information page of the passport (or of the international travel certificate), certificate of family relationship
5. Applicant’s photo (2 - inch photo with blue background)
6. P hysical examination
7. Foreigner’s Work Permit

Sample: The new vision of 2019.06.01