Work Permits for China

Chinese visa processes are notoriously difficult to navigate, and the safest option would be to work through an immigration expert or relocation company. Immigration procedures are largely carried out locally, and each locality has a unique structure. This means that expats who apply for a work permit in China must fulfil different requirements depending on where they'll be working. 

After entering the country with your work visa (Z visa), you should apply for work and residence permits for China as soon as possible. 

Visas for China

Work permits for China

Each case is unique, and there are differences between each city’s immigration and labour processes. There are, however, a few standard requirements that you will likely have to fulfil:

• The work visa (Z visa) is required before arrival
• A locally registered company in China must sponsor the work permit application
• You will need to live and work in the same location as your sponsoring company
• A medical examination is required

The employee will undergo a medical examination at an authorised hospital, either inside or outside China. The report must be signed by their doctor and stamped with the hospital’s seal. The medical report will be attached to an employment licence application, which is usually submitted by the Chinese employer to their local labour bureau.

Some cities, such as Beijing, also require foreign employees to have proof of no criminal record attested by Chinese authorities.

Once an employment licence is approved and granted, the company requests a Z visa invitation from their local Foreign Economic and Trade Commission. These are forwarded to the expat employee, who applies for a Z visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in their home country. After the employee arrives in China, they must apply for a work permit at their local labour bureau.

Residence permits for China

Within 24 hours of arriving in China, you must complete a Temporary Residence Registration Form and produce your passport at the nearest Public Security Bureau (PSB). If you're staying in a hotel, you may be able to register there, but if you're staying with a Chinese resident or private accommodation, you will have to register at the local PSB. Some cities require expats to do this after every trip they make out of the country.

As of December 2024, foreigners no longer need to obtain a physical Foreigner's Work Permit. This information will now be integrated into an electronic social security card. 

The Chinese residence permit is proof that an expat is legally living in the country. If you want to move to a different region of China, you'll have to get permission from your local PSB and apply for a new residence permit at the PSB in your new destination.

If you need to make changes to the residence permit, such as changing your address, you must apply within a certain time frame after the change occurs.

The following may be required when applying for a residence permit for China:

• Passport, photos, and other supporting personal documentation
• Fingerprints and other biometric information
• A health certificate
• Work permit and other relevant supporting materials issued by Chinese authorities

Useful links

• Government Service Platform of National Immigration Administration

*Visa and work permit regulations can change at short notice, and expats should contact their nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest information.