Work Permits for China
Work visas must be applied for at an appropriate embassy before arriving in China while residence permits are applied for from within the country. Most expats coming to work in China are employed by a company already familiar with the work visa process and, thankfully, much of the paperwork must be completed by the employer.
After the company completes initial paperwork, including certification ensuring the health of the employee, a visa notification letter is sent to the applicant which must be sent to the nearest embassy along with a visa application, passport, photos and birth certificate and the medical examination certificate.
Shortly after arriving, employees have to register with the Public Security Bureau which requires most the same documents. After 30 days in China the expat will apply for a type of residence permit which depends on how long they plan on staying in china. If an expat is on a travel visa while in China and is offered a job it is often possible to apply for an employment visa from within the country although this is not always the case. Family member go through the same process for the same visas. This can be a tedious and confusing process and it may be worth hiring an agency to help with the process.
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