China work visa in 2026: how a foreigner can get one

The work permit, work visa and residence permit: categories A, B and C, documents, timelines, family and the penalties for working without a permit

To work in China a foreigner needs three documents: a work permit, a work visa and a work residence permit. The Chinese employer obtains the first, you get the second at a consulate, and the third is issued in China within 30 days of entry.

Permits fall into three categories by level of talent, and the category determines the requirements, term and speed of processing. Working on a tourist or business visa, or on visa-free entry, is not allowed: both the worker and the employer are fined and the worker is deported.

Below are the categories in one table, then the requirements, documents, steps and timelines, family, changing employer, refusals and the path to permanent residence. Amounts are converted to dollars at the Central Bank of Russia rate on 7 October 2026.

Work visas and permits for China: comparison

Term is how long the first permit and residence permit are usually issued for. The permit is tied to the employer and the position.

Work permit categories: A, B and C

The category is set by points, awarded for salary, education, experience, Chinese language, age and the region of work. Category A is 85 points or more: scientists, senior executives, entrepreneurs, and those paid at least six times the local average wage. They face no limits on age, education or experience, file a simplified set of documents and get a permit for up to 5 years.

Category B is 60 to 84 points and covers most foreign employees. The basic condition is a bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of relevant experience after it, with an age limit that is usually 60. Alternatively you can show a salary of at least four times the local average. The first permit is usually issued for a year and then renewed.

Category C is under 60 points: seasonal workers, interns and those hired under government quotas. The permit is issued for up to a year and is the hardest to get.

Teachers, managers and your own company

A foreign language teacher needs a bachelor's degree and two years of teaching experience or an international teaching certificate, and the language must be their native one. Managers and specialists of international companies are hired as employees of the Chinese entity.

A foreigner can register their own company in China and work in it as a manager: there is no separate status for entrepreneurs, and the company applies for a work permit for its director on general terms. More on the page company registration in China.

The visa for young science and technology talent

Since 1 October 2025 there has been a separate visa for young foreign science and technology talent: graduates with a bachelor's degree or higher in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and young researchers. It requires no Chinese employer or invitation, and its terms on the number of entries and length of stay are more generous than those of ordinary visas.

On this visa you can take part in exchanges in education, science and culture and engage in entrepreneurship and business activities. It does not replace work under an employment contract: hiring still requires a work permit.

How to find an employer

Foreigners are hired by international schools and language centres, technology and manufacturing companies, universities and Chinese branches of international corporations. The employer must be registered in China and entitled to hire foreigners: it files the application in the foreign worker management system and is responsible for your documents.

Do not agree to enter on a business or tourist visa with a promise to sort things out later. Working without a permit brings the foreigner a fine of $750 to $3,000, possible detention for up to 15 days and deportation, and the employer a fine for each such worker.

Documents and degree recognition

• passport and photo
• diploma with an apostille or consular legalisation
• criminal record certificate with an apostille or legalisation
• letters from previous employers confirming experience
• medical certificate and, after entry, a medical check at a designated centre
• employment contract and the work permit notification letter

China joined the Apostille Convention in November 2023, so documents from member countries only need an apostille. Chinese translations are done by the employer or a licensed agency: we check the file before filing so that the names and dates in the diploma, certificate and passport match.

Step by step: from job offer to entry

Category A applications are processed faster and some documents are accepted on the applicant's undertaking. The whole route from the employer's application to the residence permit usually takes about two months.

Family

A spouse, children under 18, parents and parents-in-law get a visa and a private affairs residence permit for the term of the worker's permit. They cannot work on it: the spouse needs their own work permit. Kinship is proven with marriage and birth certificates bearing an apostille or legalisation. Children are admitted to international and private schools.

Changing employer

The permit is tied to the employer. When you move, the former employer cancels the permit and issues a release letter, and the new one applies for a transfer or a new permit. Changes must be reported to the exit-entry service within 10 days, or the residence permit can be cancelled.

If there is a gap between jobs, you obtain a short-term stay permit or leave and apply for a new work visa.

Fees and timelines: what a work visa for China costs

The consular visa fee depends on nationality. Apostilles, translations and the medical check are paid separately. Our consultant will work out the total for your family in the chat.

Common reasons for refusal

• the diploma or criminal record certificate has no apostille or legalisation, or the certificate has expired
• less than 2 years of experience, or experience that does not match the position
• age over 60 for category B without special justification
• the employer is not entitled to hire foreigners or filed an incomplete application
• the residence permit application was not filed within 30 days of entry
• past violations: overstays or work without a permit

We check the category and documents before the employer applies and handle the visa and residence permit filings.

Other routes without an employer

Without an employment contract, people live in China through study, family or the visa for young science and technology talent. Every route is covered on the page how to get residency in China, and permanent status on permanent residence in China.

Restrictions for certain nationalities

There are no nationality restrictions on work visas: all categories are open on general terms. The exception is foreign language teaching, where the language must be the teacher's native one.

Citizens of a number of countries enter China visa-free for up to 30 days - Russian citizens until 31 December 2027, citizens of Belarus and Kazakhstan under agreements with China, and many Europeans. Visa-free entry gives no right to work: the work visa is still obtained at a consulate before the trip.

Path to permanent residence

Permanent residence in China goes to a narrow group: top-level talent, staff of key projects and doctoral degree holders, investors and families of Chinese citizens. An ordinary category B employee can hardly count on it, so most renew their work residence permit for years.

Salary in China is subject to income tax on a scale of 3% to 45%, and contract employees take part in social insurance. More on the page taxes in China.

This topic in other countries

Work visas in other countries:

• US work visa in 2026: how a foreigner can get one
• Poland work visa in 2026: how a foreigner can get one
• Canada work visa in 2026: how a foreigner can get one

More on this country:

• How to get residency in China: every route
• Permanent residence in China
• China: all programmes
• Taxes in China
• Shanghai: districts and prices
• Beijing: districts and prices
• Company registration in China

Visas for strong professionals and founders - talent and start-up visas.

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