Foreign employees need a work permit before a Z visa, then must convert to a residence permit within 30 days of entry. Category B — a bachelor's degree plus two years of relevant experience, or 60 points on the scoring system — is the common route. The employer must first hold a foreign worker employment licence.
The three categories
- Category A — high-end talent: senior scientists, entrepreneurs, those on recognised talent programmes, or a salary well above the local average. Fewer document requirements and a longer validity.
- Category B — the standard professional route: degree, two years of relevant experience, age under 60, no criminal record. Most foreign employees of a WFOE fall here.
- Category C — temporary, seasonal or quota-limited workers. Rarely relevant for a company hiring professional staff.
The sequence
The employer registers on the foreign expert service system and obtains the employment licence. The employee's documents are then submitted for the work permit notification letter, which is what the Z visa application at a Chinese embassy requires. On arrival, a medical check is completed in China, the work permit card is issued, and within 30 days the residence permit is applied for at the exit-entry bureau.
Starting the medical check or the residence permit application out of order causes a restart, so the sequence is not optional.
A founder sponsoring themselves
If you own the WFOE, the company is your employer. That works, but it requires the company to be fully established — licence, seals, bank account, tax registration — before the work permit application can begin, and the position must be a genuine role with a salary that meets the local threshold. Founders often assume the process starts with their visa; it actually starts with the company.
Typical timeline
| Step | Duration | Issued by |
|---|---|---|
| Employment licence (employer) | 5–10 working days | Science & technology bureau |
| Work permit notification | 5–15 working days | Foreign expert bureau |
| Z visa | 5–10 working days | Chinese embassy or consulate |
| Work permit card | 10–15 working days after entry | Foreign expert bureau |
| Residence permit | 7–15 working days | Exit-entry administration |
Frequently asked
Can I work while the residence permit is pending?
Yes, within the 30-day window after entry, provided the work permit card has been issued. Working before the work permit card is issued is treated as unauthorised employment, and it is the employer — your own company, if you are the founder — that carries the penalty.
Does my family get permits too?
Spouses and children under 18 can apply for a dependant residence permit once the principal holder's work permit is in place. Dependants cannot work on a dependant permit without switching status, and school placement for children should be arranged early if you need a specific international school.
What if my degree is not in the field I work in?
Category B assesses the degree and the role together, plus experience. A degree in an unrelated field with strong documented experience in the role is often still acceptable; the alternative is the points-based route, where salary, age, education and Chinese language ability are scored.
Not sure which route applies to you?
Tell us what you are trying to do. The first call is a feasibility check, not a sales pitch.