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China work visa
China work visa: Z visa, work permit, and process
A China work visa is the Z visa, the only visa that lets Indian professionals work legally in China. It works alongside two more documents, a Foreigner’s Work Permit and a residence permit. A Chinese employer sponsors you, and your work permit tier is set by a points system that scores your salary, education, and experience.
✓ Clear A, B, C points tiers
✓ Family S visa available
Data current as of June 2026
Quick facts for the China work visa
Use these key numbers as a starting point. China updates its rules and salary enforcement regularly, and the figure that matters depends on your tier and your city. Always confirm the figure for your own case before you rely on it.
What the China work visa is
The China work visa is the Z visa. It is the only visa that allows a foreign national to take up paid employment in China. It is not, by itself, enough. China separates the right to enter, the right to work, and the right to live there into three documents.
Those three documents are the Z visa to enter, the Foreigner’s Work Permit to authorise your job, and the residence permit to authorise your stay. Each is handled by a different government authority, and all three must be in place for you to work legally.
Your employer must be licensed to hire foreign workers and must start the process. Your work permit tier, A, B, or C, is set by a points system. Which tier you reach shapes your permit and your timeline. We assess this for you before you start.
Not sure which work permit tier you would reach?
Get a clear eligibility check and a points estimate across Category A, B, and C before you commit time to an application.
The three documents you need
Working in China legally means holding three separate documents, each from a different authority. The table below sets out what each one does.
| Document | What it does | Issued by |
|---|---|---|
| Z visa | Lets you enter China for paid work, valid 30 days from arrival | Chinese embassy, consulate, or visa centre |
| Foreigner’s Work Permit | Authorises your employment and sets your tier | The foreign worker management authority |
| Residence permit | Lets you live and work for your contract length | Public Security Bureau Entry-Exit Administration |
Source: National Immigration Administration and Chinese mission guidance, 2026. The work permit card has been integrated with the social security card since December 2024.
Missing any one of the three means working illegally, which can lead to fines, detention, and deportation. We make sure all three are obtained in the right order for your China work visa.
Want help sequencing all three documents?
We map the Z visa, work permit, and residence permit into one clear plan and prepare your file for each step.
The China work permit tiers, A, B, and C
China grades foreign workers into three tiers using a points system. Your tier decides your permit length, your processing speed, and the documents you must provide. The table below sets out the three tiers.
| Tier | Points | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Category A | 85 or more | High-end talent, permits up to 5 years, priority processing |
| Category B | 60 to 85 | Professional talent, usually a degree and experience |
| Category C | Below 60 | Other workers filling shortage or quota roles |
Source: Foreigner Work Permit points system, 2026. Some applicants reach a tier automatically by meeting a specific condition rather than by scoring points.
Most skilled Indian professionals aim for Category B, often with a bachelor’s degree and about two years of relevant experience, while top specialists and executives reach Category A. We estimate your likely tier before you start your China work visa.
How the points system works
The points system scores your profile across several factors, and the total decides your tier. The main factors and their typical maximum points are below.
- Salary: up to 20 points, scored against the local average wage.
- Education: up to 15 points, around 10 for a bachelor’s, 12 for a master’s, and 15 for a doctorate.
- Work experience: up to 15 points, rising with each additional year.
- Age: up to 10 points, with the maximum for ages 26 to 45.
- Chinese language: up to 10 points, for HSK Level 4 or above.
- Work location: up to 10 points, for national development zones.
- Other factors: up to 10 points, such as awards or patents.
A score of 85 or more reaches Category A, 60 to 85 reaches Category B, and below 60 falls into Category C. Small choices, such as the city or proof of experience, can move your score. We calculate your likely points for your China work visa.
China work visa salary thresholds
China does not set one national salary figure. Instead, salary is scored against the local average wage, so the city matters a great deal. From early 2026, Beijing and Shanghai resumed strict enforcement of salary thresholds for the top tiers.
| Tier | Salary guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Category A | Around 6 times the local average wage | Far higher in Beijing and Shanghai |
| Category B | Around 4 times the local average wage | City average drives the figure |
| Category C | Set by the role and local rules | For shortage or quota positions |
Source: Beijing and Shanghai labour authority guidance, February 2026 enforcement update. Figures vary widely by city and are scored against the local average wage.
Because the threshold follows the local average, a salary that qualifies in a smaller city may fall short in Beijing or Shanghai. We confirm the salary that fits your target tier and city for your China work visa.
How the China work visa process works
The process runs in a fixed order, and you cannot skip ahead. Your employer leads the first step. The flow below shows the usual path for an Indian applicant.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Job offer and notification | Your licensed employer obtains the Work Permit Notification online. |
| 2. Z visa | You apply for the Z visa at a Chinese mission or visa centre with the notification. |
| 3. Enter China | You travel to China on the Z visa, valid for 30 days from arrival. |
| 4. Work permit | You receive your Foreigner’s Work Permit, now linked to the social security card. |
| 5. Residence permit | You apply for a residence permit at the Public Security Bureau within 30 days. |
| 6. Family S visa | Your spouse and children can apply for S visas to join you. |
In major cities the online system has made this faster, with Shanghai reaching some of the quickest processing in the country. We help your employer complete the notification and guide you through every later step.
Want your file checked before it is submitted?
A complete, correctly authenticated file is the best way to avoid avoidable delays. We review every document with you first.
China work visa fees and processing time
Government costs depend on your nationality and city, and the employer carries the notification and much of the local cost. Processing times are estimates and depend on the city and a complete file. The table below sets out the main figures.
| Item | Amount or time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consular Z visa fee | About USD 30 to USD 140 | Varies by nationality, with a fee reduction through end 2026 |
| Work Permit Notification | Around 1 to 3 weeks | Faster in major cities, Shanghai is among the quickest |
| Z visa processing | Around 4 to 8 working days | Express options at some missions |
| Residence permit | Around 1 to 3 weeks after arrival | Applied for within 30 days of entry |
Source: Chinese mission fee schedules and city processing guidance, 2026. A 25 percent consular fee reduction has been extended through 31 December 2026. Fees and times can change.
Extra costs include document authentication, the residence permit, a health check, and local administrative fees. We give you a clear, full cost picture for your situation so there are no surprises later in the process.
Why professionals choose China
China is one of the world’s largest economies, with strong demand for foreign talent in technology, manufacturing, education, finance, and research. It offers competitive salaries, fast processing in major cities, and a clear, points-based system that rewards qualifications and experience.
This keeps the China work visa relevant for skilled Indian professionals. In 2026, China streamlined its online system and major cities resumed strict salary enforcement for the top tiers, so the system now rewards well documented, well paid roles. A clean, well prepared file, on the right tier, matters more than ever.
Every foreign national who wishes to work in China must hold a work-type Z visa, a Foreigner’s Work Permit, and a residence permit, and the work permit classifies applicants into Category A, B, or C based on a points assessment of their qualifications, salary, and experience.
Factual policy position, National Immigration Administration and the Foreigner Work Permit system, Government of China. Foreign worker management framework, with the salary enforcement update of early 2026.
For applicants, the takeaway is simple. A strong salary for your city, a recognised degree, solid experience, and a clean, authenticated file give you the strongest position.
What applicants should do next
Start with an eligibility check to estimate your tier and confirm the salary you need for your target city. Secure a confirmed offer from a licensed Chinese employer. Then prepare and authenticate your documents before the notification is filed.
Meeting the criteria improves your chances, but the final decision rests with the Chinese authorities. We help you prepare well, present your case clearly, and follow the correct steps so your application has the strongest possible footing.
Speak with BestMigrationConsultant.com about your China work visa
Our immigration experts guide Indian professionals through every step of the China work visa, from the points estimate and Work Permit Notification to the Z visa and residence permit. Call +91-7670800002 or visit BestMigrationConsultant.com to start your free assessment today.