China

Work Assignment

(rather short-term, ie some months to three years, contract and social security as far as possible abroad and intended return to origin)

M-Visa

Issued to those who intend to travel to China for business, commercial, and trade activities rather than taking a paid job. The M-Visa is suitable for foreigners who make frequent work-related visits to China, but spend less than 6 months per year in China, and are not employed or paid by an entity incorporated in China.

The following activities are permitted under an M-Visa, provided that the duration of stay of the visa holder does not exceed 90 days:

• supporting services such as maintenance, installation, commissioning, dismantling, guidance and training in relation to the purchase of machinery and equipment
• guiding, supervising and inspecting projects awarded/won in China
• performing short-term work in domestic branches, subsidiaries or representative offices
• participating in sports events, including athletes, coaches, team doctors, assistants and other related personnel.

A business invitation letter issued by the business entity/partner in China is required in order to applying for an M-Visa.

Z-Visa

Foreign nationals who wish to travel to China to complete short-term work assignments and to stay in China for no more than 90 days should apply for a Z-Visa. Short-term work assignments include:

• accomplishing a certain technical, scientific research, management or guidance work at the place of the cooperating business in China
• carrying out trial training at a sports institution in China (including coaches and athletes)
• shooting films (including commercials and documentaries)
• fashion shows (including car show models, shooting print advertisement, etc.)
• engaging in a foreign-related commercial performance; and
• other circumstances recognized by the relevant human resources and social security department in China.

A permission notice for short-term work issued from China’s Human Resources and Social Security Authorities is required in order to applying for a Z-Visa. Z-Visa holders should apply for a residence permit from the immigration department of the local public security authority within 30 days of entry into China if they plan to stay in China for more than 30 days.

J2-Visa

Issued to foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.

A Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works are required. A J2-Visa holder must apply for a residence permit within 30 days from the date of entry into China.

F-Visa

Issued to foreigners who come to China for research, lecture, scientific, cultural exchanges, study tours, NGO activities or other relevant activities.

An official invitation letter issued by a relevant institution or individual in China is required for applying for F-Visa.

Employment Immigration

(rather long-term or indefinite, local contract and social security)

Z-Visa

In most cases, foreign nationals who take up paid employment in China need to apply for a Z-Visa prior to entry into China, and a work permit and work-type residence permit after entry to China.

The applicant should be at least 18 years of age, in good health, with no criminal record, with an identified employer in China, and with the necessary professional skills or appropriate level of knowledge to perform the work.

The entire process generally involves:

• securing a job offer from an employer in China
  
• applying for a work permit notification from the Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs in China
  
• applying for a Z-Visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate
  
• entering China with the Z-Visa
  
• applying for a work permit within 15 days of entering China
• applying for a work-type residence permit from the immigration department of the local public security authority within 30 days of entering China.

There are three categories of work permit application in China:

• Category A for high-level talents
  
• Category B for foreign professionals
  
• Category C for other foreigners working in China.
  

Category A is for high-level talents recognized according to the eligibility criteria published by the Chinese government, including scientists, technology leaders, international entrepreneurs, persons who join China’s accredited talents introduction programs or who are internationally recognised in their field, specialists and highly skilled personnel who meet the needs of the Chinese market (including those who will receive a wage six times higher than the social average wage in the relevant work location), and those who qualify as foreign high-level talents based on a points system – with 85 or more points. There are no age, educational or professional experience restrictions for these talents.

Category B is for talents who meet specific educational, professional or work criteria under China’s regulations. Typically, individuals with a bachelor’s degree and over two years of relevant work experience are eligible to apply for a work permit under Category B. Foreign talents who have scored 60 point or more in the scoring system are also qualified.

Category C is for foreigners engaging in seasonal or short-term work (no more than 90 days) in China or work in China under quota management , including foreign youths who come to China for internships under intergovernmental agreements, foreign students and foreign graduates of overseas universities who meet the prescribed conditions, and foreigners working in special fields such as offshore fishing.

R-Visa

The R-Visa is a talent visa issued to foreigners who are recognized as high-level talents according to the eligibility criteria published by the Chinese government and who wish to stay and work in China. R-Visas usually allow multiple entries into China and are valid for five to ten years. The duration of each stay can be up to 180 days.

A R-Visa holder wishing to work in China should also apply for a work permit and a work-type residence permit. The application process generally involves:

• obtaining a Confirmation Letter for High-level Foreign Talents from the Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs in China
• applying for a R-Visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate
• entering China with the R-Visa
• applying for a work permit
• applying for a work-type residence permit.

J1-Visa

Issued to resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China where the intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.

A Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works are required. A J1-Visa holder must apply for a residence permit within 30 days from the date of entry into China.