Visas for China

English teachers can no longer arrive to China on a tourist visa (Visa L) and then apply for a work permit (Visa Z). You will need to apply for a Visa Z or Visa F from abroad prior to arrival. Once you have your Visa, your school will need to apply for your Resident Permit.

The Resident Permit then supersedes your Visa. The Visa is used just to get you into the country, and teaching English. The Resident Permit will then dictate when you need to leave China.

Visa Types 

China issues 4 types of visas:

  1. Diplomacy visa
  2. Courtesy visa
  3. Official Matters visa
  4. Ordinary visa

General aliens obtain ordinary visas when they come to China. Ordinary visas are issued to applicants according to their different purposes and each type is marked with a capital letter:

  • Visa D - For permanent residence in China. Usually for foreigners not working in China. Often for family of expats working in China.
  • Visa Z - Issued to those who come to work in China with their accompanying family members.
  • Visa X - For study who want to study in China, or practice as interns for more than 6 months.
  • Visa F - To visit, teach, do business, or for cultural, scientific or technological exchanges for less than 6 months.
  • Visa L - For travel, visiting friends and relatives or to deal with some private matters. A group visa can be obtained if more than 9 people come together for travel.
  • Visa G - For stopover's in China.
  • Visa C - For crews of airplanes, trains and ships who are on regular visits to China. Their accompanying family members are issued with the same type of visa.
  • Visa J-1 - For foreign resident journalists in China
  • Visa J-2 - For foreign journalists who come to China to gather news.

How to apply for  a Visa Z

Those who teach English in China, and intend to work for more than 6 months, should apply for a Visa Z to China's Department of Foreign Affairs or overseas organizations entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

You will be required to take the following with you to apply for your visa:

  1. Invitation letters
  2. Valid passport
  3. 4 passport sized photographs
  4. Graduation certificates
  5. A Foreign Experts Affairs Invitation Confirmation

Foreign Experts Affairs Invitation Confirmation

This is a certificate to be presented when an English teacher applies for a Visa Z. It proves that the State Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs agrees that the holder comes to China as an expert and asks the Chinese Embassy or Consulate to issue a Visa Z.

This certificate can be obtained by your English school, which applies for it to the State Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs and the departments of foreign affairs entrusted by the Bureau. The English school will send the original copy to the English teacher. This certificate should be presented with the invitation letter and cannot replace it.

  • We suggest you call your local Chinese Consulate and inform them that you intend going to China to learn Chinese and/or Teach English.  - the above is a guideline only.