A work visa to China is a visa that you need if you are going to work legally in China for a Chinese employer or a company that has the right to hire foreign staff. The visa is issued as a Z visa and must be used within 3 months from the date of issue. After entering China, you must apply for a residence permit within 30 days.
At Alla Visum you can get help with your application for a work visa to China. We help you check the data, reduce the risk of errors and ensure that your application is handled correctly before travel. You can easily start the application online, fill out the form, upload documents, and get help throughout the process.
About China Work Visas
A work visa for China is a visa for people who have been employed or commissioned in China and who are going to work in the country for an extended period. The official visa is called the Z visa and is the visa category used for foreign workers.
The visa is intended for people who have received a work permit or a job offer from an approved employer in China. The application must be submitted before departure and the visa must be approved before you can enter to start work.
The visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and provides an entry into China. After arrival, the holder must apply for a residence permit with the Chinese authorities within 30 days. It is the residence permit that then regulates how long the person can live and work in China.
You will need the following documents to apply:
- Completed visa application
- Copy of passport information page
- The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the date of entry
- Visa photo
- Work permit or approval from Chinese authorities
- Letter of invitation from the employer if required
Any educational or professional documents required for the work permit
China can change visa rules and document requirements at short notice. It is therefore important to check the current rules before submitting the application.
Work Visa Rules
Important rules to know:
- The visa is intended for people who are going to work legally in China
- The visa must be used within 3 months from the date of issue
- The visa is issued as Single Entry
- You must enter China before the validity of the visa expires
- You must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arriving in China
- It is the residence permit that then regulates how long you can live and work in China
- The visa is not intended for tourism or study
- You may only work for the employer and under the conditions approved by the Chinese authorities
- The final decision is always made by China's immigration authorities
- Extension or change is handled by applying for a residence permit with the local authorities in China
Are you a Swedish citizen?
If you are a Swedish citizen and are going to work in China, you need a work visa before departure. While some short visits to China may be subject to special entry rules, a work visa is required for legal employment in the country.
The Embassy of Sweden in Beijing and the Swedish Consulates General in China can assist Swedish citizens with consular issues during their stay. However, work visas and residence permits are issued by Chinese authorities.
Chinese Embassy in Sweden
If you are going to work in China, you need to apply for a work visa before departure. Visa applications for residents of Sweden are handled through the Chinese Embassy in Stockholm or the Chinese Visa Center. The requirements can vary depending on the employer, occupation, and the type of work permit issued by the Chinese authorities.
At Alla Visum, we help you prepare the application before it is submitted. We review the documents, check that the work permit and other documents meet the requirements, and help you avoid common mistakes that can lead to delays or additions.
Embassy of Sweden in China
During your stay in China, the Embassy of Sweden in Beijing and the Swedish Consulates General can assist Swedish citizens with consular services, for example in case of loss of passport or other emergency situations. However, the Swedish embassy does not issue Chinese visas or residence permits, as such decisions are made by Chinese authorities.
What happens next
- 1.Complete your order by making the payment.
- 2.Each traveler receives an email with a link to fill in their application form and upload the required documents.
- 3.We review your application and contact you if any details or documents need to be completed.
- 4.When your application is ready, we send your visa by email or post, according to the delivery option you chose.
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“Very smooth process. Got help with all documents and the visa arrived on time. Highly recommended!”
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Maria Andersson
Why travelers choose AllaVisum
Clear process from application to visa delivery
Track every step of your application with transparent updates and clear timelines.
Help with documents and visa requirements
Expert guidance on required documents and requirements for your specific destination.
Standard, Express, and Premium service levels
Choose the processing speed that fits your travel timeline and budget.
Real support by phone and email
Get answers from visa experts when you need them, not automated responses.
For private travelers and business clients
Specialized services for both individual travelers and corporate visa needs.
Trusted help for popular destinations
Years of experience processing visas for the world's most visited countries.
With AllaVisum
98.7%
Expert document review
Every detail checked by specialists
Error prevention
Mistakes caught before submission
Up-to-date requirements
Always current with latest rules
Guided support
Help throughout the process
On your own
73.2%
Risk of missing documents
Easy to overlook requirements
Common form errors
Complex applications prone to mistakes
Changing requirements
Rules change frequently
No expert guidance
Solve problems on your own
FAQ Work visa to China to China
Work visa for China is a visa for people who have been given employment or work assignments in China and need permission to work legally in the country.
All people who are going to work in China need a work visa before starting their employment.
The visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and must be used within this period.
Work visas to China are issued as Single Entry.
After entry, you must apply for a residence permit within 30 days. It is the residence permit that determines how long you can stay and work in China.
Yes. The residence permit application must be submitted within 30 days of arriving in China.
You will need a valid passport, visa application, photo, work permit, employment documents, and other documents required by Chinese authorities.
The price starts from 3 085kr per application and varies depending on the level of service (Standard, Express or Premium) as well as any additional services. You will see the final price on our website before completing your order.
The processing time depends on the Embassy's current workload. We prioritize premium and express applications. Standard processing takes about four weeks.
You can submit your application as soon as you have gathered all the necessary documents. We will check when it is time to submit the application to the embassy based on your planned travel date. The processing time depends on the Embassy's current workload. We prioritize premium and express applications.
At Alla Visum, we help you through the entire application process. We review your documents, help you complete the application correctly, and ensure that all documents meet the embassy's requirements before submitting the application. If the embassy or the authorities request additional documents, we will contact you and help you produce the right documents. We also follow up on your application and keep in touch with the embassy during the processing. Our goal is to make the process as simple and smooth as possible, while reducing the risk of delays and unnecessary rejections.
No. For legal employment in China, a work visa and work permit are required.
In many cases, spouse, and children can apply for appropriate visas or residence permits based on the employee's status in China.
Yes. In most cases, an approved work permit or equivalent approval from Chinese authorities is required before the visa can be issued.
After entry, you must apply for a residence permit. It is this permit that regulates long-term stays in China.
Work visas are the type of visa required for people who are going to work legally in China.
If the purpose of the stay is studies, a student visa is required instead of a work visa.
If you are only going to attend business meetings, trade shows, or short business visits, a business visa may be more appropriate.
For private visits to family or friends, there are special visa categories that may be more suitable than work visas.
After entry, the work visa is replaced by a residence permit. Any extension will be decided by the Chinese authorities.
What happens next
- 1.Complete your order by making the payment.
- 2.Each traveler receives an email with a link to fill in their application form and upload the required documents.
- 3.We review your application and contact you if any details or documents need to be completed.
- 4.When your application is ready, we send your visa by email or post, according to the delivery option you chose.
Arbetsvisum till Kina
Valid for
3 months
Number of entries
Single entry
Max stay
Depending on visa conditions
Requirements for Work visa to China to China
- Copy of passport information page
- Visa photo
- Work permits