Chinese visa is a permit issued to a foreigner by the Chinese visa authorities for entry into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a diplomatic, courtesy, service or ordinary visa to a foreigner according to his identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type. Hereunder is an introduction to the ordinary visa and its application procedure:
The ordinary visas consist of eight sub-categories, which are marked with Chinese phonetic letters (D, Z, X, F, L, G, C, J-1 and J-2 respectively).
Visa Z: Issued to aliens who are to take up posts or employment in China, and to their accompanying family members. To apply for a Visa Z, an Employment License of the People's Republic of China for Foreigners (which could be obtained by the employer in China from the provincial or municipal labor authorities) and a visa notification letter/telegram issued by an authorized organization or company are required.
Employment Procedures for foreigners |
Step One: Signing up Employment Letter of Intent |
Authorities involved: No |
Step Two:
Employer applying for Employment License |
Authorities involved:
Local labor Administrative Authority
Documentation required:
> Employer's Business Registration (duplicate and copy).
> Report of reasons for employment.
> Letter of intent for employment.
> Foreigner's Chinese curriculum vitae, credentials of the foreigner required for the performance of the job and the copies of the main page of valid passport.
> Copies of Health certificate.
> Fill in the Application Form for Employment License.(with Signature of authorized official and two-inch half-length and bareheaded photos taken recently on it ) |
Step Three:
Employer applying for Notification of Visa Application (Invitation Letter for employment) |
Authorities involved:
Local Bureau of Commerce
Documentation required:
> Employment License
> Application Form
> Copies of the information page of the passport
> Duplicate of Business Registration |
Step Four:
Foreigner applying for work visa (Z-type visa) |
Authorities involved:
local Chinese embassy or consulate Documentation required:
(1)Notification of Visa Application
(2)Employment License |
Step Five: Signing Employment Contract |
Authorities involved: No |
Step Six:
Employer applying for the Employment Permit (within fifteen days after the foreigner's entry) |
Authorities involved:
Local labor Administrative Authority Documentation required:
(1) Employment License
(2) Employment Contract |
Step Seven:
Employee applying for Residence Certificate (within thirty days after his entry) |
Authorities involved:
Local Public Police Station
Documentation required:
Employment Permit |
