Z or M Visa: Wrong Choice Can Bar Your Work
Compare permitted activities, the Z visa work-permit requirement, post-arrival conversion, and nationality-based fees for one China visa application.
What it costs
| Figure | Period | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160 元/人 | 零次签证 | www.nia.gov.cn — 零次签证 160 元/人 | |
| 206 元/人 | 一次签证（非对等国家） | www.nia.gov.cn — 一次签证（非对等国家） 206 元/人 | |
| 313 元/人 | 二次签证（非对等国家） | www.nia.gov.cn — 二次签证（非对等国家） 313 元/人 | |
| 413 元/人 | 半年多次签证（非对等国家） | www.nia.gov.cn — 半年多次签证（非对等国家） 413 元/人 | |
| 619 元/人 | 一年多次（含以上）签证（非对等国家） | www.nia.gov.cn — 一年多次（含以上）签证（非对等国家） 619 元/人 |
In order
- Identify the planned activity — Determine whether the applicant will be employed in China or will only make a commercial or trade visit.
- Obtain the work permit notification — If employment is planned, the employer must ensure the work permit notification is issued before the Z visa application is submitted.
- Select the correct visa — Choose Z for employment; choose M only for a commercial or trade visit that does not involve working.
- Confirm the application fee — Check the fee for the applicant’s nationality and entry arrangement because reciprocity means the fee is not one number.
- Submit one application — Apply for the selected visa, and include the work permit notification when applying for a Z visa.
- Complete the post-arrival Z visa step — After entering China on a Z visa, apply to convert it into a residence permit.
- Follow M visa limits — If entering on an M visa, limit the trip to commercial and trade visit activities and do not work.
The Z and M visas cover different reasons for entering China. A Z visa supports employment, while an M visa supports commercial and trade visits only. This guide helps an employee and employer identify the correct route for one application.
Z visa: employment route
The Z visa is for employment. After the employee enters China, the Z visa is converted into a residence permit. The employer and employee should treat this as an employment-based route, not a general business visitor route.
M visa: commercial and trade visits
The M visa is for commercial and trade visits. It is not for working, employment, or activities that belong on a Z visa. If the traveler will take up employment in China, the M visa is not the correct choice.
Required document before a Z visa is issued
A work permit notification is required before a Z visa is issued. The employer should arrange or confirm this document before the employee submits the visa application. The employee should include it with the Z visa application as required.
Fee for one application
The visa fee is set per nationality by reciprocity, so it is not one number. Because the supplied schedule does not name a nationality, no visa fee is stated here. Before paying, confirm the fee that applies to the applicant’s nationality and requested entry arrangement.
Confirm before you act
Fees and processing times change. This page was checked on 2026-10-22; confirm the current rule with the authority named in each source above before you rely on a deadline.
Last checked 2026-10-22, next review 2027-04-20. 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.