Hiring with the Z Visa: Requirements & Process in China

Basic Eligibility Requirements for the China Z Visa

The Z Visa is for foreign professionals hired by Chinese companies to work legally in China. Eligible applicants are typically skilled or specialized workers, managers, or intra-company transferees with an employment contract from a registered entity in China.

Employee Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• At least 2 years of relevant work experience
• Clean criminal record
• Confirmed job offer from a licensed Chinese employer
• Valid passport (with at least 6 months’ validity)
  

Documents Required:

From the Employee:

• Foreigner Work Permit Notice
• Passport and photos
• Completed visa application form
• Medical examination report
• Police clearance certificate

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Step-by-Step Process for Sponsoring a Z Visa in China

1. Ensure your company is eligible: confirm you’re a legally registered Chinese entity authorised to hire foreign nationals. 
2. Collect necessary documents and prepare for application: gather business licence, labour contract, employee credentials (such as degrees and relevant work experience), medical and criminal checks.
3. Submit an application for the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit (also called the Work Permit Notice) to the local labour / foreign-expert authority. 
4. Once the notification letter is approved, send it, along with the employment contract and other required documents, to the prospective employee so they can apply for the Z Visa at the Chinese embassy/consulate abroad. 
5. ​​After the employee enters China, support them in converting their Z Visa into a Work Permit card and then a Residence Permit by submitting the required documents (such as a medical exam, temporary residence registration, and so on).

Once the employer has completed their part, the employee will apply for the Z Visa abroad, enter China, and convert it into the work/residence permits in order to legally start working.

Z Visa Processing Time

• Work Permit Notice: typically 7–15 business days (pre-entry)
• Z Visa issuance at consulate: typically 4–10 business days
• Residence Permit conversion: typically 7–15 business days (post-entry)

Overall, you should plan for around 4–6 weeks from the start of the employer application to full work authorization.

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Costs & Fees Employers Are Responsible For

Employers sponsoring a China Z Visa should budget for both government, administrative, and extension fees.

Typical Costs:

• Work Permit Application Fee: ~CNY 600
• Z Visa Application Fee: USD 140–200 (varies by country)
• Residence Permit: CNY 800–1,000
• Health Check Fee: CNY 400–800

Employer vs. Employee Costs:

• Employer: Work Permit, residence permit, and sometimes the health check
• Employee: Visa application fee at the consulate, travel expenses

Renewal/Extension Fees: Usually CNY 400–800 per renewal

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Employer Responsibilities to Ensure Compliance

When hiring international talent in China, employers become responsible for maintaining strict compliance with Z Visa regulations. While the rules aren’t complicated, they do require careful attention. Here’s what employers need to know to stay on the right side of the law:

• Respect Work Restrictions: Z Visa holders are only permitted to work for the company that sponsored their visa—and only in the specific, approved job role. Any deviation, even if temporary, can create compliance issues.
• Report Key Changes: Employers must inform the relevant authorities if anything significant changes. This includes early termination of the employee, modifications to their job role, or extended periods of absence that might raise red flags during routine checks.
• Keep Thorough Records: Good documentation is best practice and a legal requirement. Employers should securely maintain employment contracts, residence permits, and copies of any work authorizations to demonstrate compliance at all times.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance: Failure to meet these obligations can lead to serious consequences. As an employer, you may face fines or even suspension of your ability to sponsor foreign workers. In more severe cases, the employee may face deportation due to the company’s non-compliance.

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Z Visa or No Visa, Playroll Has You Covered

Whether you want to sponsor a Z Visa to bring top talent to China, or skip relocation entirely and hire talent where they are through Playroll’s Employer of Record model, we’ve got you covered. Playroll makes it easy to stay compliant, onboard quickly, and manage your team seamlessly no matter where they’re based. Choose what works best for your business, and we’ll handle the complexity.

Ready to make global hiring that much easier? Chat to our experts.