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Q: What visas allow one to work legally here?
I obviously know the Z visa, but what about others? Can I work while I'm a student here? Or what about a business visa (and what does it take to get one??) Are there any limitations, if so?
12 years 15 weeks ago in Business & Jobs - China
ONLY TYPE OF VISA IN CHINA THAT ALLOWS YOU TO WORK LEGALLY IS A "Z" WORK VISA. NO OTHER VISA ALLOWS THAT !
A business visa allows you to enter China for talks, negotiations, etc., to either open a business here or to enter into a partnership with local Chinese in general. To be more specific, a Business Visa (F Visa) is issued to an alien who is invited to China for a visit, an investigation, a lecture, to do business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges, short-term advanced studies or internship for a period of no more than six months. It is normally a one time entry visa, and most of the time issued for a 30 day visit,
Do not, and I repeat, do not allow you to work. Even, in order to open and operate your own business here, you will need a "Z" work visa to be fully legal.
With a student visa, you may legally work part time in an intership directly connected with your field of study, on a part time basis, and with the college sponsorship. But those will cost you $ to get one.
Shining_brow:
Thanks for clarifying that, Happy! :) So, to be sponsored' for the Z visa, do you have any details on the requirements of the business doing the sponsoring?
Anandi:
You've mentioned that F visa allows internship. What about fictive agreement with the company that you are on the internship, for example without salary, but actually you have another agreement where you're actually paid? Does that work around here? thanks
HappyExPat:
Anandi: Chinese Law regulating visa is quite explicit. Please notice that the only visa that allows you to legally work, for pay or for free, is a work Z visa. Any other visa that you may have and that you use for work (again, for pay or for free), will make you a violator of the existing Law and subject to the penalties of money fines, time in jail and/or even deportation and not able to return to China for at least 10 years. I will not do, or recommend, anything illegal, but that is me. I will not place myself at the whim and mercy of a Chinese employer who will know that I am working illegaly, and may try to take advantage of the situation by offerning lower salaries, longer hours, and many other things not normally offered to bonafide employees. Besides, a business visa is normally issued for the first time for a one entry, 30 days stay. At best you can get a 6 months stay. Then must leave and get another one for re-entry, or an extension. Why complocate life when a Z visa is the proper one?
OK, below are the requirements for the "Z" visa from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC :
The Z visa is only granted if you and the employer meet certain requirements.
First, the organization must be accredited to employ foreigners. You must meet the requirements as a 'foreign expert' and the employer must obtain a certificate stating that you comply. The most common employment is teaching English for which the minimum qualifications are stated as having English as a first language and having at least a Bachelors degree. However, there is some flexibility in these requirements so if you can find a willing employer they still have a chance of obtaining approvals for you.
The employer will send you a government issued Employment Permit and Visa Notification Letter which you must submit with a photocopies with your application. Family members accompanying an applicant may also apply for a Z visa submitting a 'proof of relationship' instead i.e. their marriage certificate for a spouse, or birth certificate for a child.
The visa is valid for only 30 days from the date of arrival during which time you and your employer must seek from PSB a Temporary Residence Permit for the duration of your contract, to a maximum of 12 months, and a work permit.
Requirements
1. Applicant's valid actual passport with at least six months validity left before expiration and at least one blank visa page left in it.
2. One truly completed Visa Application Form (Form V2011A). If you are applying to work in China, or if someone else travelling with you shares the same passport, or if you are applying for a visa in a country or territory other than the country of your current nationality, you should fill out the Supplementary Visa Application Form (Form V2011B)
3. One recent passport standard photo affixed on the Visa Application Form.
4. "Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit" or "Confirmation Letter of Invitation"
5. Work Permit (one of the following work permits):
Foreign experts, scholars, teachers or managers to be working in Mainland of China should provide the Confirmation Letter for Foreign Experts from the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs of the People's Republic of China
Chief Representative of the permanent office of foreign enterprise in China should provide the Registration Certificate from the local Administration for Industry and Commerce
Foreigners engaged in offshore petroleum operations in China should provide an Invitation Letter issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation;
Foreigners to be engaged in commercial entertainment performance in China should provide the temporary commercial entertainment performance permit from the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China. If the band has not more than five members, only the Visa Notification from the Foreign Affairs Office of province, autonomous region or municipality is required.
Other foreigners who comes to china for employment should provide the Employment Certificate for Foreigners (Work Permit) issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of the PRC
6. For the accompanying family members, they are not required to provide a Visa Notification Form or a Working Permit; they should provide Proof of Relative Relationship e.g. Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate, etc
Shining_brow:
Thanks again!! One last question to pick your brain... what's the definition of 'work'? Might seem a silly question, but... For instance, if someone is on a student visa, are they allowed to accept payment for tutoring - they're not really employed, don't have a business per se, but are taking money.
