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Key Takeaways
Make sure the foreign hire has a confirmed job offer and that your Chinese entity initiates the Foreigner’s Work Permit Notification before the individual enters China.
Note that this is strictly for paid employment, not internships or volunteering. Once your employee arrives, the employment must be converted into a residence permit for their stay.
Your organisation must be legally licensed to hire foreign workers, take responsibility for submitting the application materials, and maintain compliance (including renewals) or risk fines and operational disruption.
What is the Z Visa, and Who is it For?
The Chinese Z Visa is the primary work visa for foreign nationals employed in China. Employers choose to sponsor a Z Visa to bring in essential talent that supports business operations or fills skills gaps. It’s designed for professionals hired by a registered Chinese employer to perform work legally in the country. This visa typically applies to skilled workers, executives, and technical specialists across industries such as technology, education, engineering, and manufacturing.
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
Step-by-Step Process for Sponsoring a Z Visa in China
- Ensure your company is eligible: confirm you’re a legally registered Chinese entity authorised to hire foreign nationals.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Employer Responsibilities to Ensure Compliance
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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Milani Notshe
Milani is a seasoned research and content specialist at Playroll, a leading Employer Of Record (EOR) provider. Backed by a strong background in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, she specializes in identifying emerging compliance and global HR trends to keep employers up to date on the global employment landscape.
Z Visa FAQs
Can employers sponsor workers on a Z Visa?
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Yes, but only registered and licensed Chinese entities can sponsor foreign employees under the Z Visa program.
What compliance checks or reporting are required from employers?
Employers must report changes in employment status, maintain valid records, and comply with local labor bureau inspections.
What happens if the visa is denied or delayed?
The employer may need to correct document issues or reapply. Employees cannot begin work in China without a valid Z Visa and residence permit.
Can I hire the worker as a contractor instead of an employee?
Technically, yes, but misclassification risks are high. Independent contracting without local registration may breach Chinese labor laws (see our Misclassification Guide for more details).
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