The Employment/Work (Z) Visa for China

If you will be relocating to China for employment purposes, you will need to obtain a Employment/Work (Z) Visa. To apply for an Employment/Work (Z) Visa, an application must be submitted to the visa office at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate General either in person or through an intermediary (in person) and generally speaking, mailed applications are not accepted.

When filing an application, the following documents will need to be submitted:

• A valid passport with at least six (6) months validity and containing at least one blank visa page in it.
• One completed Visa Application Form (Q1) with a recent photo of 2 x 2 inch photo. If you are a first time applicant whose former nationality was Chinese, then your Chinese name must be included in the application form along with your original Chinese passport or a photocopy of the information page of the passport.
• An original and a photocopy of the Work Permit for Aliens that was issued by the Chinese Labor Ministry or an original copy of the Foreign Expert's License issued by the Chinese Foreign Expert Bureau.
• A visa notification issued by the authorized Chinese unit while proof of kinship (marriage certificate, birth certificate etc.) will be required for any accompanying family members.

Generally speaking, fees are US$130 for American citizens and US$30 for citizens of other countries and the regular processing time for visas is 4 working days while express service is 2 to 3 working days (an additional US$20) and there is a same day rush service for emergencies only (an additional US$30).

However, applicants should take into consideration that visa processing times for the Employment/Work (Z) Visa may vary from location to location while rules and regulations may also vary from nationality to nationality. Hence, it is best to consult your respective embassy or consulate general in China or the respective Chinese Embassy or Consulate General in your home or resident country for the most up-to-date information.