Work Visa in China

Work Permits and Visas in China

China has different categories of visas such as the:

• Z visa,
• X1/2 visa,
• J1/2 visa,
• M visa,
• F visa.

However, for those planning to work and remain in China for more than 6 months, they will need to apply for the Z visa.

China has a 3-tiered point-based system to grade applicants, as shown below:

• Class A – Elite foreign talent
• Class B – Professional foreign talent
• Class C – Miscellaneous foreigners

Applicants under all the categories above can qualify through two means:

1. Directly fulfill various requirements set for each category,
2. Reach sufficient points on the points table.

Directly quality by fulfilling requirements:

A – Grade Foreign Workers

A foreign employee is considered class A if any of the following conditions are met:

• They are a recipient of an international award;
• Selected by China’s talent important plan;
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial talents;
• Will take a government-encouraged scarce job; or
• Selected under the Youth Talent project

B – Grade Foreigners Workers

Foreigners will receive a B classification if they meet any of the following conditions:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree and have at least two years of work experience;
• Has a master’s degree from a university in mainland China;
• Holds a master’s degree from a top 100 institution worldwide as ranked by Jiao Tong University;
• For foreign language teachers, a bachelor’s degree or higher, no less than two years’ experience of teaching the language, and the language being instructed is the applicant’s native language.

C – Grade Foreign Workers

Class C employees are considered as such if:

• They are domestic helpers hired by class A employees;
• They enter China for an internship under a government agreement;
• They are in China for seasonal employment.

Points System

Applicants must have the minimum points below to be able to apply for a Z visa:

• Class A – above 85 points
• Class B 60 to 85 points
• Class C requires below 60 points

Please note that all the information listed below are to be used as a general guideline. For more detailed accounts of China employment laws and regulations, please visit the official governmental websites.

Updated on: 8^th August 2024