[:en]Travelling to China for work or business, you will need a professional visa. There are currently several types of professional visas issued to foreigners - depending on the purpose of your visit or stay.

The two types of business visas currently issued in China are F (non-commercial) and M (commercial). If you want to be employed in China, you will need to obtain a Z Visa.

Non-commercial F Visa for China

The F Visa is one of the most frequently issued professional visas and is granted to those travelling on a non-commercial exchange: conferences, consultations, scientific exchanges and so on. The F Visa is also suitable for foreign businessmen who often travel to China.

You can apply for a business visa at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your home country.

The documents needed for F Visa are:

• an accurately filled out application form;
• your passport with blank pages that is valid for 6 months;
• a recent photo (glued onto the application form);
• your invitation letter;
• a confirmation letter of invitation/conference notice; and
• copies of recent Chinese visas (for a multiple F Visa);

Please note that fees apply.

 Good to know:

You may be required to submit additional documents such as financial proof, air and hotel tickets, etc.

 Important:

You can’t work in China legally on a business visa. While some companies may agree to employ foreigners without a proper working visa (Z), the practice is illegal and may lead to deportation.

Commercial M Visa

An M Visa is issued to those travelling to China for commercial and trade activities. The application process is quite similar to that of an F Visa. You will need to submit the following documents at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your home country:

• A filled out application form
• Your passport and copy of the ID page
• A recent photo (glued onto the application)
• One of the following: invitation from a Chinese company/partner or authorised Chinese institutes or a trade fair
• The business License/Certificate of the established enterprise showing the visa recipient as owner or investor
• Copy of previous Chinese visas (for a multiple visa)

Please note that fees apply.

Business visas are typically issued for single, double or multiple entry for up to one year. The duration of each visit varies between 30 to 60 days.

Working visa (Z)

China is eager to attract foreign talent and new regulations are often implemented to simplify the working visa application process. The latest change came into effect on April 1, 2017 rolling out a unified work permit system nationwide and a point based three-tiered classification system to evaluate who is eligible for a work permit. Expat professionals are scored based on their background into A (top talent), B (professional talent) and C (unskilled/seasonal workers).

The restructuring has made the work permit application process clearer and less time-consuming. Under the new system, the foreign professional and the hiring company can complete the application and submit all the supporting documents on line.

 Good to know:

A-level candidates are eligible for a special R-type visa. The application process for R visas is simplified. R visas are typically granted to international award recipients, Fortune 500 senior managers, post-doctoral holders and so on.

Step one

The hiring company looking to hire a non-Chinese national needs to submit an application (in Chinese) together with the following supporting documents:

• A business license and organisation code certificate
• Social insurance registration
• Information such as the name, ID, and phone number of the foreign candidate
• Power of Attorney
• Identity of the employer or manager

Step two

The receiving agency will evaluate the materials. If all the requirements are met, the agency will issue a special seal, including the date of when the application was verified. After a 10-day review process, the administration will decide whether to accept or decline the application. If the application is accepted, the foreign candidate can apply for “Work Permit for Aliens of the People’s Republic of China”. The required documents are:

• proof of previous work experience with references or Master’s Degree;
• certificates of highest level of education;
• official proof of a clean criminal record from country of permanent residence;
• a medical certificate;
• an employment contract or other proof of employment;
• your passport or other travel document; and
• a photo from the last six months.

If the application meets all the necessary criteria, you will be issued an electronic “Notice on Work Permit for Aliens” and your Foreign Work Permit will be ready for pick up in 10 days. The maximum validity of a foreigner’s work permit is 5 years, however most first-time applicants will receive a one-year permit.[:zh]Travelling to China for work or business, you will need a professional visa. There are currently several types of professional visas issued to foreigners - depending on the purpose of your visit or stay.

The two types of business visas currently issued in China are F (non-commercial) and M (commercial). If you want to be employed in China, you will need to obtain a Z Visa.

Non-commercial F Visa for China

The F Visa is one of the most frequently issued professional visas and is granted to those travelling on a non-commercial exchange: conferences, consultations, scientific exchanges and so on. The F Visa is also suitable for foreign businessmen who often travel to China.

You can apply for a business visa at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your home country.

The documents needed for F Visa are:

• an accurately filled out application form;
• your passport with blank pages that is valid for 6 months;
• a recent photo (glued onto the application form);
• your invitation letter;
• a confirmation letter of invitation/conference notice; and
• copies of recent Chinese visas (for a multiple F Visa);

Please note that fees apply.

 Good to know:

You may be required to submit additional documents such as financial proof, air and hotel tickets, etc.

 Important:

You can’t work in China legally on a business visa. While some companies may agree to employ foreigners without a proper working visa (Z), the practice is illegal and may lead to deportation.

Commercial M Visa

An M Visa is issued to those travelling to China for commercial and trade activities. The application process is quite similar to that of an F Visa. You will need to submit the following documents at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your home country:

• A filled out application form
• Your passport and copy of the ID page
• A recent photo (glued onto the application)
• One of the following: invitation from a Chinese company/partner or authorised Chinese institutes or a trade fair
• The business License/Certificate of the established enterprise showing the visa recipient as owner or investor
• Copy of previous Chinese visas (for a multiple visa)

Please note that fees apply.

Business visas are typically issued for single, double or multiple entry for up to one year. The duration of each visit varies between 30 to 60 days.

Working visa (Z)

China is eager to attract foreign talent and new regulations are often implemented to simplify the working visa application process. The latest change came into effect on April 1, 2017 rolling out a unified work permit system nationwide and a point based three-tiered classification system to evaluate who is eligible for a work permit. Expat professionals are scored based on their background into A (top talent), B (professional talent) and C (unskilled/seasonal workers).

The restructuring has made the work permit application process clearer and less time-consuming. Under the new system, the foreign professional and the hiring company can complete the application and submit all the supporting documents on line.

 Good to know:

A-level candidates are eligible for a special R-type visa. The application process for R visas is simplified. R visas are typically granted to international award recipients, Fortune 500 senior managers, post-doctoral holders and so on.

Step one

The hiring company looking to hire a non-Chinese national needs to submit an application (in Chinese) together with the following supporting documents:

• A business license and organisation code certificate
• Social insurance registration
• Information such as the name, ID, and phone number of the foreign candidate
• Power of Attorney
• Identity of the employer or manager

Step two

The receiving agency will evaluate the materials. If all the requirements are met, the agency will issue a special seal, including the date of when the application was verified. After a 10-day review process, the administration will decide whether to accept or decline the application. If the application is accepted, the foreign candidate can apply for “Work Permit for Aliens of the People’s Republic of China”. The required documents are:

• proof of previous work experience with references or Master’s Degree;
• certificates of highest level of education;
• official proof of a clean criminal record from country of permanent residence;
• a medical certificate;
• an employment contract or other proof of employment;
• your passport or other travel document; and
• a photo from the last six months.

If the application meets all the necessary criteria, you will be issued an electronic “Notice on Work Permit for Aliens” and your Foreign Work Permit will be ready for pick up in 10 days. The maximum validity of a foreigner’s work permit is 5 years, however most first-time applicants will receive a one-year permit.[:]