Employment Visa or Work Visa (Z) is issued to an alien who comes to China for employment. Before September 2013, the accompanying family members were also issued a Z visa, but since September 2013, the family members are issued Q1, S1, or S2 visa, depending on particular situation. However, there is no change in document requirement for family members.
Please note that applying for work visa itself does not need apostille of your diploma or criminal record -- only work permit is needed. However, when your employer applies for work permit on your behalf, diploma and criminal record are needed.
Work permit notice.
Make sure the notice was issued to the same consulate that you are going to apply your Z visa. If you are going to apply in Washington DC but the notice was addressed to New York consulate, it would not work.
II. Visa for accompanying family members
From September 2013, the family members are no longer issued a Z visa, but Q1, S1, or S2 visa, depending on circumstances. The documents needed are similar, and here are the additional documents needed:
Copy of passport photo page of the Z visa holder (applicant);
Copy of marriage certificate or birth certificate showing relationship to Z visa holder (applicant);
Copies of Work Permit (if family members are listed on it), OR "Work Permit" of Z visa applicant + the invitation letter for family members issued by the hiring organization in China, OR (if joining later) "resident permit" + invitation letter written the resident permit holder (see requirement on invitation letter).
If the family is visiting for short term, it might be easier to apply for a tourist visa. If the family is going to stay in China, it is much easier to have their names listed on the work permit.
The consular fee is $140 for US passport holders and $80 for Canadian passport holders regardless of the number of entries, and our service fee is $99.96. For citizens of countries, it is dependent on the number of entries. Extra fees apply for expedited processing. Please use the calculator below to find out.
Processing time
Passport country
Number of entries
Number of passports
Consular fee
Service fee
140
80
Subtotal: (excluding shipping fees)
Shipping fee is not included in the calculation. You pay one shipping fee per order even if you have multiple passports.
For some countries, the consular fee is different, and the consulate may change fees from time to time. You will pay the actual charge if it is different.
V. Visa validity period and duration of stay
Work visa (Z visa) is valid for one entry and three months. The duration of stay is listed as "000 days". The holder of a (Z) visa should go to the local public security department within thirty days of entry into China and convert the visa into a resident permit, which functions as a "temporary green card" and allows for unlimited entry/exit.
S1/Q1 visa is also single entry, but S2 can be multple entry.
VI. Questions and Answers
Q:
I need to entry/exit China from time to time. Can I get a multiple entry Z visa?
A:
Yes, but only after you enter China. The Chinese consulates in US will only issue you a single entry Z visa. After you enter China and go through the procedures at the local police department, you may apply for a resident permit there, which acts like a temporal US green card and allows you to enter/exit China freely.
Q:
Can you help me get the work permit?
A:
No. You need to check with the company who hires you. It is their responsibility to provide you with such documents.
Created: 2005-07-06
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