Z Visa for Teaching English in China

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.

What you need

• 1Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
• 2Two years of full-time work experience after graduation (any field, but teaching counts)
• 3120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate (must be in-person or hybrid; pure online certs increasingly rejected)
• 4Criminal background check, notarized and authenticated by the Chinese embassy in your home country
• 5Passport-style photos and a passport valid for at least one year
• 6Health check passed in China after arrival
• 7Citizenship from a native-English country (typically: US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa)

The process

1. Step 1

   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. Step 2

   2. Authenticate documents

   Notarize your degree and criminal check, then have them authenticated by a Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country.

3. Step 3

   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. Step 4

   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