Working in China for 90 days or less: what the Z visa section says

For a mainland China work assignment of 90 days or less, the Z Visa section of the Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China says you must apply for the visa before the start date shown on your Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners of the People's Republic of China, and your work time must not exceed the period shown on that notice. The same section lists the documents a Z visa applicant must present, and the Exit and Entry Administration Law sets out when work is lawful and what counts as unlawful employment.

What the Z visa section requires

The Z Visa section of the Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China states that one of the following is required:

1. The Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners of the People's Republic of China issued by 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 for the Work Permit for Foreigners of the People's Republic of China, and the work time must not exceed the period indicated therein;
2. The Registration Certificate of the Resident Representative Office of a Foreign (Regional) Enterprise issued by the market regulation authority;
3. The approval document for commercial artistic performances issued by the cultural administrative authority (applicable only to applicants coming to China for commercial performances) and the Certificate of Short-term Work for Foreigners in China, in which case the applicant must apply for the visa before the start date indicated on the Certificate of Short-term Work for Foreigners in China, and the performance time must not exceed the period indicated therein;
4. The Invitation Letter for Foreigners to Engage in Offshore Petroleum Operations in the People's Republic of China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

The 90-day rule above is the first document item: 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 for the Work Permit for Foreigners of the People's Republic of China, and the work time must not exceed the period indicated therein.

Commercial performances

Where the work is a commercial performance, the third item of the Z Visa section applies: the applicant needs the approval document for commercial artistic performances issued by the cultural administrative authority (applicable only to applicants coming to China for commercial performances) and the Certificate of Short-term Work for Foreigners in China. In that case the applicant must apply for the visa before the start date indicated on the Certificate of Short-term Work for Foreigners in China, and the performance time must not exceed the period indicated therein.

After you enter China

The Z Visa section adds a note for the holder: 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 with "permitted stay of 30 days after entry".

What the Exit and Entry Administration Law says

Law, Article 41: Foreigners who work in China shall obtain work permits and work-type residence permits in accordance with relevant regulations. No entities or individuals shall employ foreigners who have no work permits or work-type residence permits. The administrative measures for foreigners working in China shall be stipulated by the State Council.

Law, Article 43: Any of the following acts of foreigners shall be deemed unlawful employment:

(1) Work in China without obtaining work permits or work-type residence permits in accordance with relevant regulations;

(2) Work in China beyond the scope prescribed in the work permits; or

(3) Foreign students work in violation of the regulations on the administration of foreign students working to support their study in China and work beyond the prescribed scope of jobs or prescribed time limit.

Who decides on the visa

Section III. Important Tips of the Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China states that the consular officers may require the applicant to provide other supporting documents or supplementary materials, or require the applicant to attend an interview. The section also states that the consular officials will decide whether to issue a visa and determine its validity, duration of stay and number of entries according to the applicant's specific circumstances.

Questions people ask

If my Z visa is marked "permitted stay of 30 days after entry", do I still need a residence permit?

The Z Visa section says the holder must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entering China, except for those whose visas are marked with "permitted stay of 30 days after entry".

What counts as unlawful employment?

Law, Article 43 deems the following unlawful employment: (1) work in China without work permits or work-type residence permits; (2) work beyond the scope prescribed in the work permits; (3) foreign students working beyond the prescribed scope of jobs or prescribed time limit.

Can I work longer than the period on my work permit notice?

No. The Z Visa section says where the work period is no more than 90 days, the work time must not exceed the period indicated on the Notice for the Work Permit for Foreigners of the People's Republic of China. Law, Article 43(2) deems working beyond the scope prescribed in the work permits as unlawful employment.

Sources

• Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China, China Consular Services website — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC (China Consular Services, cs.mfa.gov.cn)
• Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (English text published by the National Immigration Administration) — National Immigration Administration

Checked 10 and 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary, is not published by or affiliated with the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any embassy, consulate or visa application service centre, is not legal or immigration advice, and the official text and the current notice of the office handling your case prevail if they differ.