Visa guide · Asia
Z Visa for Teaching English in China
China's work visa for foreign teachers. Two years' work experience, TEFL, and a notarized background check required.
The Z is the work visa for foreigners employed in China, including ESL teachers. It's significantly harder to get than Korea's E-2: you need two years of post-graduation work experience, a 120-hour TEFL, and a notarized and authenticated criminal background check. The process takes 8-12 weeks end-to-end.
Duration
1 year, renewable. Many teachers do 2-3 year contracts.
Cost
Around USD 140 for the visa itself. Authentication and notarization add $150-$400 depending on your country.
What you need
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Two years of full-time work experience after graduation (any field, but teaching counts)
- 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate (must be in-person or hybrid; pure online certs increasingly rejected)
- Criminal background check, notarized and authenticated by the Chinese embassy in your home country
- Passport-style photos and a passport valid for at least one year
- Health check passed in China after arrival
- Citizenship from a native-English country (typically: US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa)
The process
1. Get a job offer and Foreign Expert Permit
The employer applies for a Foreign Expert Work Permit Notification on your behalf. This is the central document; it takes 4-6 weeks.
2. Authenticate documents
Notarize your degree and criminal check, then have them authenticated by a Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country.
3. Apply for the Z visa at a Chinese consulate
With the Notification Letter and authenticated documents, apply at a Chinese consulate in your home country. Issued in 4-10 business days.
4. Enter China, complete residency
Within 30 days of arrival, convert the Z into a residence permit. Your employer handles most of this.
Common questions
Can I teach in China without two years of experience?
Not legally on a Z visa. Some teachers enter on tourist visas and work informally, but this is illegal, getting caught means deportation, and reputable schools won't hire you that way.
Does my home-country teaching license help?
Yes — international schools strongly prefer state-licensed K-12 teachers and will sponsor Z visas with much higher pay (25k-45k RMB/month vs 15k-22k at training centers).
How does the post-2021 online tutoring ban affect this?
It doesn't apply to in-person teaching jobs in China. The ban was on K-9 online tutoring inside China; that's a separate (now-defunct) market. Z visas for in-country teaching are unaffected.
Tools you'll need
Resources for teachers preparing to apply. Links are partner affiliates that fund the site at no cost to you.
Country guide
Teach English in China
International schools, training centers, and universities. Pay is the highest in Asia.
See the full China guide →Other visa guides
E-2 Visa (South Korea)
Korea's standard work visa for native-English ESL teachers. Bachelor's, criminal check, sealed transcripts.
Instructor Visa (Japan)
Japan's visa for K-12 ALT and public school teaching roles. Bachelor's required, native-English speaker preference.
Auxiliares de Conversación (Spain)
Spain's government language assistant program. Stipend plus a student visa for non-EU citizens.
Work Permit and TRC (Vietnam)
Vietnam's combination of Work Permit plus Temporary Residence Card. Bachelor's + TEFL + health check.
Non-Immigrant B Visa (Thailand)
Thailand's work visa for foreign teachers. Bachelor's + TEFL + Thai teacher license (waiverable for first 2 years).
Work Visa (UAE)
Tax-free employment visa for licensed K-12 teachers in the UAE. Strict credential requirements but high pay.