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 a bachelor's degree, a notarized and apostilled criminal background check, and more than two years of language-education experience (waived with an education or language degree, a teaching certificate, or a qualified international language teaching certificate). Many schools also ask for a 120-hour TEFL. Teachers commonly report 8-12 weeks end to end.

What you need

• 1Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
• 2More than two years of language-education experience, waived if you hold a bachelor's in education or language, a teaching certificate from your own country, or a qualified international language teaching certificate (Beijing and Shanghai government standard)
• 3A TEFL/TESOL certificate: the official text says "a qualified international language teaching certificate" with no hour count, but many schools ask for 120 hours
• 4Criminal background check, notarized and apostilled in your home country (consular authentication by a Chinese embassy is only needed if your country is not in the Apostille Convention)
• 5Passport-style photos and a passport valid for at least six months (check your consulate)
• 6A physical examination certificate is part of the work-permit materials (ask your employer where it must be done)
• 7Usually citizenship of a country where English is the national language, because the rule is to teach the mother tongue of your native country

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; teachers commonly report 4-6 weeks, and no official timeline is published.

2. Step 2

   2. Notarize and apostille documents

   Notarize your degree and criminal check where required, then get them apostilled in your home country. China has accepted apostilles since 7 November 2023, and the Chinese embassy in the United States, among others, no longer does consular authentication. Consular authentication still applies only if your country is not in the Apostille Convention. Confirm the exact format with your employer or the consulate.

3. Step 3

   3. Apply for the Z visa at a Chinese consulate

   With the Notification Letter and your apostilled documents, apply at a Chinese consulate in your home country. Teachers commonly report 4-10 business days; the consulate sets the visa's validity.

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