China Work Visa For US Citizens
Getting a work visa in China can be difficult. The requirements are strict and the process is time-consuming. But don’t give up before you begin. You need to contact a China visa agency with experience in the process. An experienced agency will know how to navigate the local government’s bureaucracy to find out what China work visa you qualify for, as well as how to apply for that particular type of visa.
Planning to work in China without a valid visa? Don’t. I recently discovered that applying for a work visa can be much easier than you think. If you’re an American citizen, simply submit the form below and we will email you a letter that you can use to apply for your visa at a US consulate or embassy in China.
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China Work Visa Types
Understanding how the visa regulations work is imperative when you are thinking about going to work in China. Let’s get straight to it and go over the visa requirements and regulations for all US citizen living abroad who want to work in China.
Having a US work visa is probably the first big step that you will want to make when you look at an international move. If you dare to consider this option, than I can promise you one thing: It will be exciting.
China uses abbreviations with letters and numbers to designate certain visa types. For example:
- Z visa: A visa for workers staying in China for longer than six months.
- X1/2: The X stands for xuéshēng, which means student, and the numbers indicate how long someone will stay. This visa is for students, and the X1 is for those staying longer than 180 days, while X2 is for a period shorter than that.
- J1/2: The J is from jìzhě, or journalist. This visa is meant for foreign journalists staying for a specific period.
- M: A business visa meant for stays of 30 to 60 days.
- F: A visa for exchange students, visitors, and study tours lasting 30 to 90 days.
- S1/2: This visa is meant for people visiting family members who are non-residents.
- Q1/2: China gives this visa to individuals visiting family members who are from or living in the country.
China Work Permit Requirements 2022
The requirements to get a work visa can vary based on the type of visa. However, most Chinese visa applications need a passport, photograph, health certificate, and official employment license from the Chinese authorities.
As of June 6, 2022, China has waived the special invitation letter requirement for work visas.
All foreigners with a visa must comply with the Chinese Exit-Entry Administration Law and register with the Public Security Bureau (PSB). They must do so within 24 hours of arriving in the country. Here’s how each of your employees can comply:
- Go to the nearest police station
- Show a passport
- Show a deed or lease to a home or host’s household registration
- Complete a temporary residence registration form
After registering, your employee will get an approved Registration Form of Temporary Residence. This form can help when they’re trying to obtain a permanent Chinese residence permit.
Chinese Work Permit Application Status
Application Process
Applying for a work visa in China requires going to the closest Chinese Visa Application Service Center or Chinese embassy. Your employee will need to provide basic documents. China also scores work permit applications based on the value the applicant brings to the country with factors such as salary, qualifications, work experience, age, Mandarin proficiency, and more. Depending on how high an applicant scores, they may get additional benefits. We recommend applying for a visa about one month before planning to enter China.
Many of your employees will apply for Z visas and need to obtain a Chinese Residence Permit within 30 days of arriving in China. They must apply for this permit by:
- Going to the nearest Exit-Entry Administration Service Center
- Providing a passport
- Filling out a registration form
- Filling out a Foreigner’s Visa and Resident Permit Application form
- Providing a passport photo
- Showing an official health certificate
- Providing supporting documents as necessary
Other Important Considerations
There are a lot of places on this planet where you can find salvation with a one-year working visa. But few can compare to the time-flexibility and cultural living in China’s most populated cities. There are quite a few reasons why so many expats prefer China over other countries, with one of the main reasons being an excellent location in quality of life and personal growth.
Z Visa China Requirements
China work visa for US citizens can be a tricky thing. But with the right information, you can get through it and start making plans to visit this fascinating country and culture.
Are you thinking of moving to China? You’ll need a China work visa first. Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to apply for a China work visa for US citizens, including how to get your Z visa with your new employee letter.
1 Actual passport, plus a photocopy of the name page
When your employees submit their working visa application form, they can state how many entries they want — single, double, or multiple. This number will show how often and in which time period they can enter China. For example, returning from a visit to Macao or Hong Kong is counted as a new entry, requiring a double-entry or multiple-entry visa. If your employees don’t plan to go abroad while in China, a single-entry visa will work for them and cost less.
- Passport should have sufficient validity left. Minimum 6 months validity beyond travel date is required for single entry visa, 12 months validity is required for multiple entry. If you need passport services, please visit our expedited passport services section.
- Visa will be issued in the passport. Passport must have at least 2 blank visa pages. The last 3 pages in US passports are amendment pages, reserved by the US Department of State for amendment to the passport. They won’t be acceptable for visas. If your passport has no blank visa pages left, you must renew your passport first. Please visit our expedited passport services section, if passport service is needed.
- If you have a valid China visa in another passport, you will need to submit that passport together with the new passport when applying for a new visa. A photocopy of that visa and passport is also required.
- Non-US passport holders must provide a notarized photocopy of the proof of legal stay or residence status in the US, such as Green Card or a valid long term US residence visa.
2 Proof of Residence
A photocopy of the proof of current residence in the U.S. with applicant’s name and address (e.g. driver’s license or major utility bill).
3 Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination
A photocopy of the proof of full Vaccination for COVID-19.
4 One recent passport-type photograph
Please refer to the link for China visa photo specific requirement.
5 One China Visa Application Form per person
- Please fill out the application form online.
- Print out the downloaded PDF file after the submission and sign both the confirmation page and the last page of application form.
- Please print out and submit only single-sided pages of the application, not back to back.
- Remarks: You won’t be able to edit the information after you submit the form. Please check all information carefully before submission.
6 Submit the Visa Service Request Form Online
- Select the service type and level you need and provide your contact information and mailing address.
- Multiple applicants can be entered using one service request form.
7 Payment for visa processing, service and shipping
| Chose A Service Level | Time needed | All Fees | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review | Processing | Shipping | Embassy Fee | Service Fee | Shipping | Total | |
 Pre-check Service | 1 day | 1 – 5 | N/A | N/A | $149 | N/A | $149 |
| Regular Service | 1 day | Suspended | 1 day | $145 | $169 | $36 | $350 |
| Express Service | 1 day | Suspended | 1 day | $145 | $199 | $36 | $380 |
| Express Plus Service | 1 day | Suspended | 1 day | $170 | $249 | $36 | $455 |
- Only application pre-check service is available.
Remarks:
- Please email us the service request confirmation number once submitted.
- We will email you a invoice for the payment.
- You may pay service fee by credit card online. Credit card payment is subject to 3.6% surcharge.
8 Notification of Work Permit
- Notification of Work Permit issued by China State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs. High quality scan copy is acceptable.
9 Additional requirement based on jurisdiction
- Although the requirement for Chinese visa largely remains the same across different Chinese Consulates, there are some special rules pertaining to each different Consulate. Click here to see if there is additional requirement for your jurisdiction.
