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Work visas

Chinese Foreigner's Work Permit

The State clearance a foreign employee must hold before working in China, tiered by talent classification and required alongside the work visa and residence permit.

Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
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Under review — check current rules

The Category A/B/C criteria, points, salary multiples and any fees are reported by third parties, not the official pages reviewed. State only that a tiered work-permit system exists and verify thresholds on the official work-permit portal before publishing numbers.

Important information

Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official China government website before you apply.
On this page
Official name
Foreigner's Work Permit (in China)
Route type
Employment authorisation / work-permit clearance
Relationship to visa
Required before a Z visa and the work-type residence permit are issued
Assessment
Applicants classified into talent tiers (reported as Categories A/B/C)
Category structure is widely documented; confirm current criteria officially
Issued by
China's human-resources / foreign-experts authorities
Sits before
The Z visa and the work-type residence permit
The work-permit notification is obtained first; the Z visa is applied for on the strength of it
After entry
Complete work-permit and residence-permit formalities
The work-type residence permit governs the length of the authorised stay, not the entry visa

Who it is for

  • Foreign nationals who will be employed by a registered entity in China
  • Employers sponsoring foreign staff

How to apply

  • Employer/employee submits the work-permit application through the competent Chinese authority
  • Obtain the work-permit notification/clearance used to apply for the Z visa
  • After entry, complete work-permit and residence-permit formalities

Documents you may need

  • An employment offer or contract with a registered entity in China (the employer usually leads the application)
  • Your passport bio-data page
  • Evidence of qualifications and experience relevant to the classification tier (for example degree certificates and a CV)
  • The Foreigner's Work Permit Notification, once issued, which is used to apply for the Z visa

Frequently asked questions

  • No. The work permit (and the work-permit notification that precedes it) is the employment clearance obtained before travel. The Z visa is the entry visa applied for on the strength of that notification, and after arrival the holder must obtain a work-type residence permit that governs the actual stay.

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.

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