China Work Permit: Steps to Legal Employment

No published figure yet. The authority does not publish this cost in a form we could verify and quote, so this guide covers the procedure only: what to bring, in what order, and where it goes wrong. We will add the figures the moment there is a source for them.

In order

1. Confirm your employer's sponsorship eligibility — Ask your employer to confirm they hold a valid license to hire foreign workers and that your position qualifies for a work permit.
2. Gather your personal documents — Prepare your passport, a notarized criminal record certificate, a medical examination report, and a copy of your highest diploma.
3. Have your employer submit the online application — Your employer files the initial application with the local authorities, including your documents and a job description.
4. Receive the Work Permit Notification — Once approved, your employer forwards the notification to you; this document is required for your visa application.
5. Apply for a Z visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate — Take the notification, your passport, and other required paperwork to the nearest Chinese diplomatic post to obtain your work visa.
6. Enter China and report your arrival — Within the period allowed on your visa, enter China and complete the temporary residence registration with the local police station.
7. Undergo the post-arrival medical check — Visit the designated hospital or health center to complete the required physical examination for work permit issuance.
8. Collect your work permit card and residence permit — Your employer submits the final application, and you receive your physical work permit card and a residence permit that allows you to stay and work legally.

This guide walks you through the China work permit application process as a foreign national relocating for employment. It covers the sequence from your employer’s initial filings to your physical permit card, without quoting any fees or processing times. Each step is an action you or your employer takes in order.

Before You Start

Your employer must be authorized to hire foreign staff and will act as your sponsor throughout the process. You will need a valid passport, a clean criminal record from your home country, and a medical check that meets Chinese requirements. Confirm your job category (A, B, or C) with your employer, as this determines the documents and approval path. Your employer will typically handle the online applications, but you must provide accurate personal information and signed documents.

The Application Sequence

The process has two main phases: first, your employer applies for a Work Permit Notification (foreigner’s work permit notice) from the local government, and second, you use that notice to apply for a Z visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad. After you enter China with the Z visa, you must convert it to a residence permit and receive the physical work permit card. Each phase requires specific documents and approvals, and you cannot skip ahead.

After Arrival in China

Once you arrive, you have a limited window to complete the post-arrival procedures. Your employer will help you apply for the work permit card and the residence permit, which are separate but linked. You must also register your address with the local police within the required period after moving in. Keep all your documents together, as you will need them for multiple steps.

Confirm before you act

Fees and processing times change. This page was checked on 2026-11-03; confirm the current rule with the authority named in each source above before you rely on a deadline.

Last checked 2026-11-03, next review 2027-05-02. Every figure above names its source and the date it was read. This page is a guide, not legal, tax or immigration advice — confirm with the authority before acting on a deadline.

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