The visas that are relevant for teachers headed to China:<\/span><\/p>\n To legally teach in China<\/a>, you’ll need to obtain a work visa<\/a> through your employer or a service.<\/span><\/p>\n Sometimes employers will have you come over to China on a tourist visa, but you’ll need to have them convert it to a work visa prior to beginning your job.<\/span><\/p>\n If you’re bringing your spouse along with you, they’ll need to acquire a relative visa & relative residence permit. The same goes for your children.<\/span><\/p>\n Lastly, as a teacher, you’ll need to get a residence permit\/visa from your school once you’re in China and teaching. This allows you to stay in the country long-term while you teach.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n In order to begin the process of obtaining a Z visa, you first need to have signed a contract of employment<\/a> with an employer in China.<\/span><\/p>\n Your employer then obtains two pieces of documentation. The first of these is the \u201cWork Permit,\u201d and the other is the \u201cInvitation Letter.\u201d Both documents must be submitted with your visa application. The Chinese Consulates will require your Work Permit to be in both Chinese and English, so keep this in mind when you discuss this process with your employer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Your employer requires your CV, a reference letter, apostilled versions of your university degree(s), teaching certificates, and background check<\/a>, as well as a photocopy of your passport to obtain these documents.<\/span><\/p>\n Only schools that are legally allowed to hire foreigners are able to provide these documents. Furthermore, you will likely need to undergo a medical check, both\/either in your home country and\/or in China.<\/span><\/p>\n Fill out the COVA Form. Make sure you answer every question, and when you’re done, print it out (in color) and sign it in wet ink. Black ink is typically more accepted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Create photocopies of the biopage of your passport, your latest Chinese Visa (if you have one), and proof of residency. These will all need to be printed out (in color) to apply for your visa.<\/p>\n If your last name has changed since your last Chinese visa, you must provide proof of your name change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To get a Z visa in China, you must apostille your degree and background check. You almost always need to apostille your teaching credential (TEFL, teaching license, or letter of experience) as well, though in rare cases, it won’t be necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n If you’re bringing your spouse and\/or children, you’ll also need to apostille your marriage license and the birth certificates of your children to apply for their S visas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The document authentication process can get quite complicated. You can order this service through us, or you can choose to read more information about it on our website.<\/span><\/p>\n Once your employer has sent you the required documents, you may then apply for a Z visa. Along with your passport, you will need to submit these documents to the Chinese Embassy in your home country. Make sure you are submitting your documents to the correct Chinese Consulate as they all have different jurisdictions and your application will be denied if it goes to the wrong one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you don’t currently reside near a consulate\u00a0you’ll need to use a visa agent to submit your visa paperwork to the consulate or embassy for you, as it has to be done in person. Teaching Nomad can submit your application<\/a> on your behalf.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Order visa service<\/a><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Depending on processing time, in a few days or a week, you will get your passport back in the mail with a temporary \u201cZ visa\u201d inside. This temporary visa is good for 30 days and is designed for you to enter China.<\/span><\/p>\n You must register your stay with the local police within 15 days of your arrival in China. You will need your passport for this and usually a copy of your lease. The police will provide you with a \u201cRegistration Form of Temporary Residence.\u201d Failure to obtain this document may result in steep fines. If you are residing in a hotel or hostel, the hotel staff can usually do this for you on the spot.<\/span><\/p>\n Once you\u2019re in China, your school will assist you in converting your temporary visa into a \u201cForeign Expert Certification\u201d or \u201cAlien Employment Permit\u201d along with a \u201cResidence Permit\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n This process could take around a month. In the meantime, the government requires you to have a physical exam done. Even if you’ve already had one done elsewhere, you’ll likely need to do it again in China.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Sometimes\u00a0your Chinese employer will have you enter China on a tourist visa while they work on preparing the documents that you’ll need to get your work or Z visa. This is perfectly normal, but you cannot work on this visa.<\/span><\/p>\n Going to China on a tourist visa allows you to have some settling in time, which is great for teachers that have never lived in China<\/a> before.<\/span><\/p>\n To get an L visa for China, you will either need to go to the appropriate consulate in person or hire an agent to do it on your behalf. If you’re a U.S. citizen,\u00a0Teaching Nomad can obtain this for you.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Order visa service<\/a><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Once you place an order, we’ll get back to you with more details on next steps.<\/span><\/p>\n L visas can be single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry, and the duration of your stay can be 30-90 days, so choose wisely. You’ll need to get your Z visa within the time frame that your L visa is good for, otherwise, you’ll need to leave the country.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The S visa works in a similar manner to the Z visa. The person that is teaching in China will get the invitation letter and work permit so that they can get their Z visa.<\/span><\/p>\n The teacher’s spouse and children will also use these documents to apply for their S visas. Once you have arrived in China on an S visa, you will need to get your residence permit. The teacher’s school will often help with this process and you can all get your residence permits at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Once you have your Z visa in China, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit\/visa. This allows you to live and work in China for an extended period of time. If you get caught living in China without a residence visa after a certain period of time, there are serious consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n Your employer will likely help you obtain your residence permit\/visa through the proper government authority. You need to apply for this within 30 days of your arrival in China.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Still looking for a teaching position in China? Check out our job board!<\/p>\n Available jobs in China<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”7px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] If you’re headed to China to teach, the visa process can\u00a0feel a bit daunting. No to worry though, we’ve created this guide to help […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":7601,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" If you're headed to China to teach, the visa process can feel a bit daunting. No to worry though, we've created this guide to help walk you through the work visa process, as well as to help you figure out which other visas your family members will need if you're bringing them along.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n The visas that are relevant for teachers headed to China:<\/span><\/p>\r\n Z Visa - Work visa<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n L Visa - Tourist visa<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n S Visa - Relative visa<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n D Visa - Residence visa<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n Open or download our China visa infographic here:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n {loadmoduleid 495}<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n To legally teach in China, you'll need to obtain a work visa through your employer.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Sometimes employers will have you come over to China on a tourist visa, but you'll need to have them convert it to a work visa prior to beginning your job.<\/span><\/p>\r\n If you're bringing your spouse along with you, they'll need to acquire a relative visa & relative residence permit. The same goes for your children.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Lastly, as a teacher, you'll need to get a residence permit\/visa from your school once you're in China and teaching. This allows you to stay in the country long-term while you teach.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n In order to begin the process of obtaining a Z visa, you first need to have signed a contract of employment with an employer in China.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Your employer then obtains two pieces of documentation. The first of these is the \u201cWork Permit,\u201d and the other is the \u201cInvitation Letter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n Your employer requires your CV, a reference letter, authenticated versions of your university degree(s), teaching certificates, and background check, as well as a copy of your passport to obtain these documents.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Lastly, if you're bringing your spouse and\/or children to China, you'll also need to authenticate your marriage license and the birth certificates of your children through the Chinese consulate in order to get them the proper visas. <\/span><\/p>\r\n Only schools that are legally allowed to hire foreigners are able to provide these documents. Furthermore, you will likely need to undergo a medical check, both\/either in your home country and\/or in China.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n To get a Z visa in China, you must authenticate your degree and background check. You almost always need to authenticate your teaching credential (TEFL, teaching license, or letter of experience) as well, though in rare cases, it won't be necessary.<\/span><\/p>\r\n If you're bringing your spouse and\/or children, you'll also need to authenticate your marriage license and the birth certificates of your children.<\/span><\/p>\r\n The document authentication process can get quite complicated. You can order this service through us, or you can choose to read more information about it on our website.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n {loadmoduleid 496}<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n Once your employer has sent you the required documents, you may then apply for a Z visa. Along with your passport, you will need to submit these documents to the Chinese Embassy in your home country.<\/span><\/p>\r\n If you don't currently reside near a consulate you'll need to use a visa agent to submit your visa paperwork to the consulate or embassy for you, as it has to be done in person, either by you or an agent on your behalf. Teaching Nomad works with all Chinese consulates and can submit your application. Order visa service here.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n Depending on processing time, in a few days or a week, you will get your passport back in the mail with a temporary \u201cZ visa\u201d inside. This temporary visa is good for 30 days and is designed for you to enter China.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n You will need your passport for this and usually a copy of your lease. The police will provide you with a \u201cRegistration Form of Temporary Residence.\u201d Failure to obtain this document may result in steep fines. If you are residing in a hotel or hostel, the hotel staff can usually do this for you on the spot.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n Once you\u2019re in China, your school will assist you in converting your temporary visa into a \u201cForeign Expert Certification\u201d or \u201cAlien Employment Permit\u201d along with a \u201cResidence Permit\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\r\n This process could take around a month. In the meantime, the government requires you to have a physical exam done. Even if you've already had one done elsewhere, you'll likely need to do it again in China.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n Sometimes your Chinese employer will have you enter China on a tourist visa while they work on preparing the documents that you'll need to get your work or Z visa. This is perfectly normal, but you cannot work on this visa.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Going to China on a tourist visa allows you to have some settling in time, which is great for teachers that have never lived in China before.<\/span><\/p>\r\n To get an L visa for China, you will either need to go to the appropriate consulate in person or hire an agent to do it on your behalf. If you're a U.S. citizen, Teaching Nomad can obtain this for you. Order your visa here.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n You'll need to send CVSC your passport, a photocopy of the passport information page, the China visa application form, a passport photo, proof of residency, and other supporting documents listed on their website depending on the consulate you're using.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\n
<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Getting a Visa in China<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Z Visa (work visa)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Required documents:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Document authentication:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Obtaining a Z visa:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Registering with the police:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Finishing the process:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
L\u00a0Visa (tourist visa)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Obtaining an L visa:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Things to know:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
S\u00a0Visa\u00a0(relative visa)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Obtaining an\u00a0S visa:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
D\u00a0Visa\u00a0(residence visa)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Obtaining a\u00a0D visa:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Check out the visa info sheet:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Visas](\"https:\/\/teachingnomad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Visas-in-China-Thumbnail.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n\r\n
Getting a Visa in China<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n
Z Visa (work visa)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\n
Required documents:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\n
Document authentication:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\n
Obtaining a Z visa:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\n
Registering with the police:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\n
Finishing the process:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\n
L Visa (tourist visa)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\n
Obtaining an L visa:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\n