Work visa (Z visa)

How long does it take to obtain a Chinese visa (updated on March 19, 2023)

We calculate our service time from the time you extract your fingerprints at the Chinese visa center and submit documents to embassy staff. Based on this standard, your visa passport will be ready to be collected from our office within 3 working days (including the day of fingerprint issuance) in the afternoon (courier service) or 4 working days (standard service) after fingerprint issuance. Please note that these times may be affected by restrictions on opening hours during the pandemic. For detailed information, please call or email us.

How can I obtain a Chinese visa?

1. Choose one of the following options to order our services – our prices include all embassy fees and Chinese visa center fees. We will send you an email during working hours and inform you of what needs to be done later.

2. Fill out the application form for the Chinese visa center online (click here for the online form). Alternatively, you can fill out the simplified form for the China Visa Direct Card and we will fill out the center’s form for you (additional fee – add the form filling service to your shopping basket and we will contact you).

If you have any questions about filling out the form, please call us or send us an email and we will provide assistance. Please provide your customer reference number.

If you have filled out the form yourself, please send us an email:
(i) A copy of the completed form;
(ii) A copy of your passport photo page;
(iii) The following supporting documents.

These will allow us to thoroughly check your form. If any changes are required, we will suggest and obtain your consent to make these changes. Do not book fingerprints with the center (see below).

After reviewing your form and your situation, we will contact you to learn about the next steps – we will inform you if you need to bring any other documents when you come to the center to obtain your fingerprints. Please note that only applicants aged 14 to 69 (inclusive) are required to provide fingerprints.

6. We will make an appointment for you and inform you when to bring your passport (original) and required documents to the Chinese visa center (please note where the original and copy are required according to the following text and our instructions). Throughout the process, one of our employees will meet with you at the Chinese visa center and greet you. Please note that we may schedule an appointment for the next day (please call us for more details).

7. We will mail or courier your passport and visa back together (additional charge – if you need courier, please add Royal Mail Express to your shopping basket or call us), or you can collect it at our office. Alternatively, you can send us a prepaid Royal Mail Express envelope and we will return it to you in this way.

8. Please remember that the visa type and duration for each stay are always determined by the Chinese Embassy, which will provide you with the most suitable visa based on all circumstances, especially the documents at hand.

Proof documents for Z visa – If you need more documents, we will let you know

This “Z” visa is applicable when you have work to go to China. These visas only offer variants for single entry. However, there are long-term work visas (for stays exceeding 90 days) and short-term work visas (for stays less than 90 days). If it is a long-term work visa, it needs to be converted into a residence permit within 30 days of arrival. To ensure the normal operation of the application, you need to:

1. Copy of passport with photo page – The passport must have two blank pages and a remaining validity period of 6 months

2. Digital photo (upload to China Visa Center application form) – Specific photo requirements – Click here for more information. If the requirements (each link) are not met, the application may be rejected.

If you have not selected our form filling service, please send us an email with the submitted application form so that we can check and correct any errors.

If you have not applied for an EU passport, please provide evidence of your legal entry into the UK, such as a UK visa

If you have been to China before, please provide a copy of your last Chinese visa.

If you have held a Chinese passport in the past, please contact us for more information.

If you are applying for a long-term visa (meaning you will be working in China for more than 90 days), you will need one of the following:

(1) The Employment Permit for Foreigners of the People’s Republic of China or the Notice of Foreigners’ Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China issued by the human resources and social security department of the Chinese government.
(2) The Work Permit for Foreign Experts in China issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.
(3) The Registration Certificate of Permanent Representative Office of Foreign (Regional) Enterprises issued by the Chinese Administration for Industry and Commerce.
(4) The approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government’s cultural department.
(5) Letter of Invitation for Foreigners to China for Offshore Oil Operations issued by CNOOC.

If you are applying for a short-term work visa (meaning you will be working in China for less than 90 days), you will need one of the following:

(1) The Employment Permit for Foreigners of the People’s Republic of China and the Approval Letter for Foreigners’ Short term Employment in China issued by the Human Resources and Social Security Department of the Chinese Government.

(2) The approval document for commercial performance issued by the cultural department of the Chinese government and the “Approval Document for Foreigners’ Short term Employment in China”.

Please remember: When you submit your application to the Chinese visa center online, do not make an appointment for fingerprinting – just come to our daily fingerprinting/submission time slot – call us a few times!