The Chinese employer obtains the Work Permit from the relevant Chinese authorities (SAFEA or regional authority). The client only submits documents at the final stage — to the consulate for the Z visa.
Chinese Work Visa (Z) Documents — Complete List 2026
The Z work visa is issued to those who received an official work invitation from a Chinese employer. All documents proving the legality of employment — work permit, contract, company invitation — are prepared by the employer in China. China2Day works only with documents at the visa submission stage. Z work visas split into 3 categories by duration: up to 30 days (no conversion), up to 90 days (with biometrics), and 180+ days (with biometrics and Residence Permit). Turnkey price — $270.
3 Categories of Z Work Visas
The category determines what documents are needed and whether in-person biometrics are required:
- Category 1 — Z up to 30 days (no conversion): fully remote processing, no biometrics. For short-term specialists (equipment installation, audits, staff training), artists and performers for concerts and festivals (3–5 days), experts for short consulting visits.
- Category 2 — Z up to 90 days (with biometrics): requires personal appearance ('1 Day in Chișinău'). Converted to Residence Permit at the local PSB in China. For the modeling industry (most common in this group) and specialists for 1–3 months of work.
- Category 3 — Z 180+ days (with biometrics and Residence Permit): long-term employment. Three subcategories: A (highly qualified — scientists, top experts, executives), B (regular foreign workers with a specialty), C (low-skilled or seasonal workers).
Who Does What
Z visas differ from other types in that the Chinese employer does most of the preparatory work:
- Chinese employer: obtains the work permit for the foreigner, prepares the employment contract, issues an official company invitation, provides a copy of their business license, prepares the A/B/C category package (for Z 180+).
- Client (you): passport (original, valid 6+ months, 2 blank pages), digital photo, completed China2Day questionnaire. For the work permit: diplomas, certificates, medical certificates, police clearance (at employer's request, depending on category and region).
- China2Day: verifies completeness and correctness of documents, fills out the COVA application, prepares the trip purpose description, submits documents to the PRC consulate in Chișinău, helps with logistics ('1 Day in Chișinău' for Z with biometrics).
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Documents from the Client — In Detail
Basic package from the client (same for all Z categories):
- Passport (original) — valid 6+ months from submission date, 2 adjacent blank pages
- Digital photo — white background, no glasses, open forehead, colored top, good quality
- Completed China2Day questionnaire — answers for filling out the COVA application
- Work Permit Notification Letter — provided by the employer in China
- Employment contract with the Chinese company
- Official invitation letter from the employer
- Copy of the Chinese company's business license
Key Features of the Z Visa
Important nuances that distinguish the Z visa from other types:
- Z visa is always single-entry — it's an entry permit for subsequent residence permit conversion in China
- Category A, B, or C is determined by qualification — decided between the employer and Chinese authorities
- Geographic restriction (5–10 cities) is critical — violation leads to deportation and blacklisting
- Short-term Z (up to 30 days) is fully remote with no biometrics required
- Long-term Z always requires in-person biometrics ('1 Day in Chișinău' scheme)
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For Z up to 30 days — no, fully remote. For Z up to 90 days and Z 180+ — yes, in-person biometrics required. China2Day organizes this via the '1 Day in Chișinău' scheme.
Obtaining the Work Permit in China takes 2–4 weeks (done by the employer). After that, submitting the Z visa application at the consulate takes 4–7 business days.
For the work permit (categories A/B) — yes, an apostilled degree. For short Z (up to 30 days, performers category) — typically not required. The exact list depends on the category and region in China.