How to Apply for Chinese Z Work Visa
A step-by-step breakdown of my Chinese work visa application
Congratulations on your new job in China! You are in for long haul — both in visa/permit application and the content of this post. I’m not joking; let me forewarn you that the process is lengthy and tedious, but on the bright side, not impossible!
Step 1. Apply for Notification of Work Permit
First thing first, to be able to apply for a Chinese work visa, you need to have secured a job with an employer in China. The work permit should be arranged by your potential employer in China and the organization must be licensed to employ foreign nationals. So here I’m gonna tell you: what documents to prepare before you even begin; what to do after you land in China and other things to look out for*.
In order to apply for the Work Visa (Z visa), you first need to have a Notification of Work Permit issued by Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China. This is the most daunting part as it demanded various documents, of which the requirements were vague. While my employer handled this process, it was hell for the HR who had to make multiple appointments to visit the bureau until we fulfilled all the required documents, and it involved last-minute express courier for original copies of the documents.
The documents required for my Notification of Work Permit application in 2019 were as follows:
1. Physical Examination Form
Highly important that you do your physical exam in China if you were already in the country when you accepted your job offer. It caused me a huge headache because I was already back in Indonesia and was informed that the test needed to be done by facilities that were recognised by China. When I asked the Chinese embassy and visa centres in Indonesia as well as my employers to refer me to such a facility in Jakarta, no one had the answer for this. I ended up doing the exam at a well-known health clinic laboratory Prodia and the results were fortunately approved by the bureau.
Do also note that the physical exams are only valid for 6 months so it is imperative for you to start the application process right away before the exam results expire. Keep the results as you may need them when you arrive in China.
2. Employment Contract
It must include working hours, working place, job title and description, remuneration package and signed by you and your employer.
3. Copy of Passport Information Page and Signature Page
Pretty straight forward.
4. Photo
Use photos that fulfil the Chinese visa photo requirement. Get many copies of this photo ID as they are needed further down the line.
5. Proof of Work Experience
You must be able to prove that you are qualified in the respective occupation. So in order to do that, you have to attach a resume and signed reference letter(s) from the previous employer (wet ink signed, not scanned copy — the bureau staff must be able to ‘feel’ the ink). This is why I had to send my originals on an express courier.
The reference letters have to prove a minimum of 2 years of RELEVANT working experience. In my case, I had two reference letters (one was 2 years minus 10 day and the other 2 years minus 3 months, which they made a big deal out of — but the bureau relented given they are allowed to keep the originals).
6. Non-Criminal Record or Background Check (Important: Authenticated by Chinese Embassy / Consulate)
This caused me a great deal of stress in Indonesia but I managed to pull through. I recorded this painful ordeal in incriminating detail so for those of you who have to undergo the same procedure, I hope you can have a much better experience.
This is one of the reasons I had to leave China because the non-criminal record needed to be from your country (I am still unsure if it means the country that the passport belongs to or the country you reside in). Before you leave China though, make sure you complete your physical exam (see point 1 above). The original copy is also required, so this went into that same express courier envelope. FYI the original copy is kept by the bureau.
If you are Indonesian who is currently away, an option is to get fingerprint documentation done in your nearest police station, which you can email to someone back home, whom can help you apply for SKCK non-criminal record document.
7. Higher Academic Degree Certificates
The bureau requires original copies of your bachelor and/or master certificates. Apparently several people had to get their degree certificates and/or transcripts authenticated by Chinese Embassy/Consulate like the non-criminal record mentioned in point 6 above, but I was not required to do so since my most recent and highest degree, my Master was obtained from a Chinese university.
Also, check your university ranking because a degree from the world’s top 100 universities gives you an additional 5 points.
8. Supporting Documents
If you have completed HSK, filed a patent or worked for Fortune Global 500 companies, you are qualified for additional points, which will help in your application. Additional points also apply for those of you planning to work in West/North East China or industrial/poor areas in China. If you are doing teaching positions and are not from English speaking countries, authenticated TEFL/TESOL may also be required.
Once all the documents were finally approved, it took 2 weeks for the notice to be issued. However, it may take up to 20–30 business days to process.
Step 2: Apply for Work Visa Z
You can rejoice now that you’ve got the work notice. The next step is to fill out the Chinese Working Visa application form (Indonesian embassy only accept typed-up copy — I guess some people’s handwritings are simply illegible) and take the documents to the Chinese Embassy / Consulate in your area. The process is highly similar to the tourist visa application, except with the addition of attaching the Notification of Work Notice that you worked so hard for.
The Z — Work Visa is valid for 30 days from the date of your arrival in China. Upon arrival in China, your employer will assist you in obtaining your official Work Certificate (ID card, shaped like shen fen zheng 身份证) and Resident Permit (new visa stamp on your passport).
Step 3: After Arrival in China
You can now plan your departure to China. Before you do though, check out my China Survival Guide which tells you what apps to download — so that you are better armed to navigate this new home of yours.
1. Police Registration Form
According to the regulation, any foreigner should be registered within 24 hours of staying in China. If you are staying at hotels (that have licenses to hold foreigners), they will be able to do it for you at the counter.
However, if you are staying with a friend or a unit you are renting, you should head to the police station with your passport; housing contract; landlord’s ID copy; contact number. The police may also ask your landlord or agent to show up with you.
2. Health Check-Up
If your physical health exam form is still valid (less than 6 months since issuance date), you may be able to use the same one. Best case scenario is that your health exam was done in China, since generally speaking, Chinese authorities do not accept the English version of any medical report from other countries.
Otherwise, you may be able to authenticate the document at International Travel Healthcare Centers — given that the document is in English. I unsuccessfully attempted to authenticate my medical report form. Apparently the form needed to be an original copy with my attached photo and a stamp from the clinic overlapping the photo. This rule is not written anywhere but oh well I’ll take this receptionist’s word for it.
Alas, the most straightforward option was to complete another full Physical Exam in China. Do not remind me about how much radiation I’m exposing myself to, subjugating my body to Xray light more than once a year. If you are doing the same, do not drink any alcohol or coffee the night before and no breakfast on the day of the medical check. If you are a difficult stick (that is, your veins are difficult to locate), make sure you drink plenty of water the day before so the nurse can easily locate your veins. Don’t forget to bring:
- Money in cash. My test cost ¥ 496.70 in total but this may vary slightly. The clinic I went to accepts Wechat pay and Alipay but some still only accepts cash.
- Two photo ID
You can pick up the results in person or have them sent to your address/office address for an extra charge (should cost you no more than ¥50).
Step 4: Apply for Work Permit (Card)
This must be done before you obtain the Resident Permit. My company staff handled this procedure at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The system in Beijing is now online so the following documents were uploaded online for approval:
- Passport page, signature page, visa stamp and last entry stamp to China.
- One photo
- Police registration from
- Medical report verification
- Other documents from the company
The processing time for system approval took 3 business days but may vary between cases. The company staff then made an appointment to physically submit the documents (including my actual passport) and my passport was immediately returned after entry date to China was confirmed. It took another 5 days to process, upon which you will receive your work permit in the form of a plastic ID card.
Step 5: Apply for Residence Permit (Visa Stamp)
You are at the last stage to become a legal resident of China! Here, you must appear in person at the local PSB (Public Security Bureau) in China and bring the following:
- Actual passport
- One two-inch photo with white background, to be glued to your application form
- Resident permit application form
- Work Permit notice
- Police registration form
- Original Work Certificate
When you arrive, you will be notified to head to a room for a quick headshot, from which you will be given a docket. Head to the permit processing counter, hand over the documents including the photo docket. That’s it.
The processing time should be 10–15 business days, depending on which city you are applying in. Please note that the PSB will keep your real passport during this processing period. In the meantime, you will be given a yellow slip which can be used for domestic travels on trains and planes, but not international travel. Therefore I highly advise against making international travel plans in the first month after your arrival in China. If you need the actual passport back before the collection date, the Resident Permit will not be granted.
Step 6: Congratulations.
You are now an official residence of China, for one year.
- Note that there are differences between each city’s immigration and labour processes. This is merely a personal account of my experience. Since regulations may vary and change, double-check any information with the latest working visa and permit regulations.
This post is part of the Life in China series.1. China Survival Guide
Apps that will make your Chinese experience a whole lot better2. China Through Films
Cinematic trips into the voyage of the breathtaking world of traditional and contemporary China, and whatever lies in between.3. Obscure Parks of Beijing
This city that may seem barren at first, hides within it, plenty of picturesque green pockets.I hope they will help you begin to understand this mind-boggling country.
