Can I apply for a work permit while in China?

Yes, in specific cities like Shanghai, professionals can now apply for a work permit without leaving the country.

What’s the typical processing time for China’s Z visa?

The process typically takes 4-6 weeks, depending on how quickly necessary documents are submitted.

What if my work permit expires in China?

Employers must apply for a renewal at least 30 days before the expiration.

A Complete Guide to China Work Permits with EOR in 2025

Q: How do I apply for a work visa through the new online system in China?

Applications are submitted via the Foreign Expert Project Management Information System, which speeds up document processing.

Is a Work Permit Required in China?

In China, a work permit is essential for foreign nationals due to the country’s specific economic policies and labor market conditions. One of the primary reasons for this requirement is to protect employment opportunities for Chinese citizens. China has a vast and competitive labor market, and the government prioritizes job opportunities for its own citizens to ensure widespread economic benefits. By requiring work permits, the government ensures that foreign workers are only hired for positions that demand specific skills and expertise that are not readily available within the local workforce.

Another significant reason for the work permit requirement in China is to support the country’s rapid economic development and technological advancement. China is heavily focused on developing high-tech industries, innovation, and its manufacturing sector. The work permit system allows the government to attract highly skilled foreign professionals who can contribute to these critical areas, filling skill gaps and promoting innovation. This approach is essential for maintaining China’s competitive edge in the global economy and fostering sustainable growth.

Ensuring compliance with labor laws and standards is also a critical aspect of China’s work permit system. The government uses the work permit process to ensure that foreign workers are employed under conditions that meet Chinese labor laws. This includes guaranteeing fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to social security benefits. By enforcing these standards, the government aims to prevent the exploitation and abuse of foreign workers, ensuring that all employees in China are treated fairly and equitably.

Additionally, the work permit system in China involves comprehensive identity verification and verification of qualifications to uphold national security and professional standards. The government ensures that foreign workers possess the necessary skills and credentials and do not pose any security risks. This scrutiny helps maintain the integrity of the Chinese workforce and ensures that foreign workers contribute positively to the economy and society.

Furthermore, China’s work permit system aligns with its broader goals of economic planning and social stability. By managing the entry of foreign workers, China can better control the economic impact and social integration of these individuals. This regulation helps maintain social harmony and supports the government’s objectives of balanced development and social cohesion.

As of 2024, the Chinese government has introduced streamlined processes to make applying for work permits easier through the “Foreign Expert Project Management Information System.” This online system has been further updated in 2024, allowing faster processing and tracking.

Number of Expats:

845,697

Expats Job Websites:

Laowaicareer, jobs.echinacities,
expatjobschina

Popular Industries for Expats:

Teaching, Trade/Commerce, IT/Tech, Writing/Media, Marketing, Engineering, Managerial Jobs, Hotel & Tourism

Types of China Work Visa

In China, they use a set of abbreviations along with letters and numbers to name various visa types. For example, some of the visas used in the country are:

Z Visa: The Z work visa in China is for workers planning to stay in the country for more than six months.
X1/2 Visa: This visa is applicable for students. The X1 is relevant for people planning to stay for more than 180 days, while X2 means the duration is less than 180 days.
J1/2 Visa: This visa is issued to foreign journalists for staying for a specific duration in the country.
M Visa: This is a visa for business owners that allows a stay of 30 to 60 days.
F Visa: This visa is issued to exchange students, study tours, or visitors for a duration of 30 to 60 days.

Requirements for a China Work Visa and by China Employers

Recently, China has acquired a more transparent and active process for foreign workers, which has further led to an increase in work permit applications in the country. The visa process is now more streamlined, and one can apply now with China work permit online application. However, the employers planning to hire foreign employees have to abide by the local laws and regulations for hiring employees outside the country.

The basic requirements that an employee has to meet for getting a China work visa are:

You have to be at least 18 years old with good health
You must have a clear criminal record
You should have a specified employer
You should possess the required skills and work experience that meets the employer’s job requirements
You should have a valid passport and possess all the required travel documents

China Work Permit Application Process

Before applying for the China work visa (Z-visa), you need to have an official letter (Notification letter) from the Chinese authorities issued as proof that you are approved to work in China.
For the notification letter, one has to apply at the local Labor Bureau. This process takes at least 3-4 weeks.
Now you can apply for a work permit in China for foreigners at the Chinese embassy located in your home country.
Post getting a Z-visa, you will be approved to enter China. Once you enter China, you have to take a medical examination and register your residence at the local police station.
The last two steps involve replacing Z-visa with a working-purpose residence permit and applying for a Work Permit.

Required Documents from the Employee

An original copy of the Diploma (a certificate issued by an educational institution on completion of a course of study) has to be submitted along with an authenticated and legalized copy
An original copy of the Police Clearance Certificate that is authenticated and legalized
A copy of work experience certificate which justifies at least 24 months of experience
A valid CV
A Labor contract
A Medical Report
A Police Registration form of residence

Required Documents from the Employer

A business license along with a certificate of approval
A passport of the legal representative
An authorized company stamp

Classification of Work Permits

The Chinese regulation has categorized the work permit into three categories – A – B – C. Each category is differentiated based on the qualifications and skills of each employee working in China:

A: High-Level Experts

The applications for Class A are approved faster than the other two categories. The Class A applicants are also given the leverage to not provide any Diploma or Police Clearance Certificate. In addition to this, only a Class A work permit allows employees above 60 years old.

Requirements for Class A work permits

You should have a salary of over 50,000 RMB/ month and work in Shanghai.
You must be an international prize-winner in either of these fields – sciences, architecture, arts, sports, music, literary and industrial design.
You must be selected for a profile by the China National Talent Import Plan.
You must have a Doctor’s degree or higher issued by a Chinese University or from World top 500 universities.

B: Professional workers

Most of the applicants are qualified for the Class B work permit. It is limited to an age group between 18 and 60 years old.

Requirements for Class B work permits

You must have a Bachelor’s degree + 2 years of full-time work experience after completion of graduation.
You must hold a Master’s degree from a Chinese university or one of the top 100 universities in the World.

C: Low skilled workers

Class C refers to the low-skilled profiles, which include only junior positions. It is issued to the employees between the age group of 18-60 years old.

You must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a university located in Shanghai, or you’re employed by a company registered in the Zhangjiang High Tech Park or Shanghai FTZ.
You must have a Master’s degree or higher issued from a Chinese university (score of at least 80/100 or B+/B). You must also be employed by a company that is registered in Shanghai.
You must be an intern in Shanghai and part of the “French Intern 1000 Plan”.

China Work Visa Point System

The work permit point system in China determines the category in which your work permit application will be granted.

Class A – score over 85 points
Class B – score over 60 points

The applicants have to score at least 60 points to get a Work Permit in China.

Timeframe for Work Permit Application

After applying for the Z visa in your home country, you will be required to travel to China within 30 days. In a span of 15 days, the employee and the employer need to submit an application to the local labor & social security bureau to proceed and apply for the employment/work permit, which takes three days. One must get the work permit approved within 30 days of entering China. After that, it takes at least 4-6 weeks to secure the issued work permit.

Work Permit Exceptions and Special Cases

While applying for the China work visa application form, your employees can also mention the number of entries they want – single, double, or multiple. For instance, returning from Hong Kong will be counted as a new entry requiring a double-entry or multiple-entry visa. On the other hand, if your employees are not planning to go abroad while in China, a single entry visa will be sufficient and also cost less.

China Work Permit Fees

The fees for the application and the issuance of a China work visa may differ according to your home country. It can cost approximately 1,000 to 1,500 CNY. The China work permit fees may also vary according to how fast you want it to be processed and whether you wish to apply in person or via mail.

How Multiplier Will Help With Work Permit

We’re a Global EOR solution having local entities in over 100+ countries. Our mission is to simplify the hiring process for companies like yours and give an easy platform to employ talent from across the globe. Our suite of HR solutions is a brainchild of our in-house experts, enabling us to offer end-to-end solutions to our users.

Using our SaaS-based solution, you can request a China work permit. Our team of experts will manage the entire process, including the processing time, costs, document checklist, while keeping you informed about the whole process.