Getting a Chinese Z visa

The following is a step by step diary of the application process for a Chinese Z Visa (work visa).

  • Find a position you are happy with in China (by visiting or via email / phone). ENSURE that they are able to hire a foreigner – companies that are owned by one person CANNOT hire you and there is nothing you or they can do about it.
  • Ask your company to go about applying for an Alien’s Employment License and a Visa Notification Form from the government office local to their companys office. You will need to provide them with a copy of your passport, chinese copy of your resume/CV (full history), copy of your degree certificate and a reference from a past employer where you have worked for 2 years. IMPORTANT – You need the original documents for the application to the embassy, so you will need to be mailed the documents.
  • You will need to make an appointment for your visa application via the CVASC (either online or in person at their office). Applying online requires you to enter your passport number and name and choose a date and time. BE SURE to do this early as the earliest appointment will most probably be over 1 month from now, you cannot contact them for cancellations and you cannot just turn up at the embassy without an appointment. You can make more than one appointment if you are not sure what date you will have the Aliens Employment License and Visa Notification forms (from what it looks like visa agencies gobble up all the appointment dates as soon as they appear so BOOK IN ADVANCE youve been warned).

As mentioned in the previous paragraph – the earliest available appointment will probably be over a month from now.

→ Time for company to recieve Employment License and Visa Notification : 1-2 weeks

→ Time for company to mail you the original documents 3-6 days (dependant on delivery option)

Once you have recieved the documents and have booked your application date – THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHT.

  • DOWNLOAD the current Visa application form from the chinese embassy website (for the UK – http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz ). Fill out the form in capitals. You will need to affix a passport photo on the first page (around £4.00 for 4 pictures in most booths).

You CANNOT choose “same day service” unless you are flying later that day. The earliest I was offered was a 4 day service.

  • When you have recieved the relevant documents from your chinese company, make a copy of both of them (english and chinese sides). You WILL need copies for the application (there is a copy machine in the embassy but it costs 20p per copy).

  • Print off a copy of your flight booking.

  • Now you have prepared all your documents, arrive at the embassy 15 minutes early. There will be a queue (most of which are n00bs who dont have appointments and get pissy with the doorman). When you go in you will be given a number ticket (like in the supermarket) and the screen/speakers will tell you when to head up to the desk. They will give you a receipt and take your passport (make sure you dont need it for the next 4 days).
  • Collect your Visa. On the day specified to collect your visa/passport you do not need to queue (London embassy), there are a set of steep steps behind a gate which you will go down. YOU NEED to pay with CASH, card is NOT accepted.

This is everything for now in the UK

  • This is not the end of the process however. When you arrive in China you will need to attend a medical check (approx £65) in order to recieve a certificate which is used to apply for the Residence permit. There is also registration at the local social security bureau, but I havent done this yet so I will update asap.

Hope this was a help.

This page is written by a member of the public with no assistance from any authority and has been written as a brief unofficial guide explaining the process of applying. I cannot be held responsible for the result of any applications taken with assistance of this text.

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