China Z visa: the work permit notice comes before the visa
Which four documents the China Consular Services Z Visa section lists, what each requires, and the 30-day residence permit note, with the Regulations and Law articles on work visas.
The Z Visa section of the Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China says "One of the following is required," and then lists four documents. The first is the Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners of the People's Republic of China. For work periods of no more than 90 days, that notice sets the deadline: the visa application must be made before the start date the notice shows.
The four documents in the Z Visa section
The Z Visa section of the Visa Application Instructions lists the following, in this order:
| Document | Issued by | Condition stated in the section |
|---|---|---|
| Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners of the People's Republic of China | The human resources and social security authority (the authority that centrally administers the employment of foreign experts) | Where the work period is no more than 90 days, the applicant must apply for the visa before the start date indicated on the notice, and the work time must not exceed the period indicated therein. |
| Registration Certificate of the Resident Representative Office of a Foreign (Regional) Enterprise | The market regulation authority | None stated in the section. |
| Approval document for commercial artistic performances, and the Certificate of Short-term Work for Foreigners in China | The cultural administrative authority (for the approval document) | The approval document applies only to applicants coming to China for commercial performances. For the Certificate, the applicant must apply for the visa before the start date indicated on it, and the performance time must not exceed the period indicated therein. |
| Invitation Letter for Foreigners to Engage in Offshore Petroleum Operations in the People's Republic of China | China National Offshore Oil Corporation | None stated in the section. |
The section presents the third item as one line joined by "and," with the Certificate's conditions following "in which case." The table keeps that wording.
The residence permit note
The Z Visa section adds a note under the heading "Please note." It says: "The holder must, within 30 days of entering China, apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration of the public security bureau of the people's government at or above the county level of the intended place of residence, except for those whose visas are marked 'permitted stay of 30 days after entry'."
Inside China, the office for this step is the exit-entry administration of the public security organ. The consular instructions do not treat it as an embassy or visa centre step.
What the Regulations and the Law say
Regulations, Article 6 item (12) reads: "The Z visa is issued to persons who apply for work in China."
Regulations, Article 7 item (12) reads: "To apply for the Z visa, the applicant shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, submit the work permit and other certification documents."
Regulations, Article 7 also has a closing paragraph: "The visa authority may, in light of specific cases, require a foreigner to submit additional application material."
Law, Article 41 says: "Foreigners who work in China shall obtain work permits and work-type residence permits in accordance with relevant regulations." It adds: "No entities or individuals shall employ foreigners who have no work permits or work-type residence permits."
These are separate provisions in separate texts. The Visa Application Instructions list the four documents. Regulations, Article 7 item (12) refers to "the work permit and other certification documents" in general terms. Law, Article 41 concerns work permits and work-type residence permits.
Questions people ask
Do I need all four documents for a Z visa?
The Z Visa section says "One of the following is required," so the section asks for one of the four documents. Which one applies depends on the kind of work and the issuing authority.
Does the 30-day residence permit note apply to every Z visa?
The note applies to holders "except for those whose visas are marked 'permitted stay of 30 days after entry'." If your visa carries that marking, the note's exception applies. Check the marking on your visa.
Planning suggestion, not a rule: before you book travel, compare the start date and end of the work period on your notice with your planned dates.
Confirm the current document list on the official page before you apply.
Sources
- Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China, China Consular Services (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC)
- Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (National Immigration Administration)
- Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (National Immigration Administration)
Checked 11 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary. It is not published by or affiliated with the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any embassy, consulate or visa application service centre. It is not legal or immigration advice. If the official text or the current notice of the office handling your case differs from this page, the official text and that notice prevail.