Teaching English in China is exciting. You can live in big cities like Shanghai or Beijing, make good money, and travel. But you must do it the right way. To work legally, you need a real China Work Permit and a Z Visa. If you teach on a tourist visa or business visa, it is illegal. You can pay big fines, go to jail, or get sent home forever. This guide uses the newest 2025 rules. It explains everything in very simple English so anyone can understand. Follow these steps and you will get your legal work visa without problems.
Non-Negotiable Eligibility Requirements for the Z Visa
China has strict rules. You must meet every rule, or they will say NO.
Nationality and Qualifications
You must have all of these:
- Passport from a native English country The seven accepted countries are: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Very important: If your country is not on this list, it is very hard to get the visa. Only a few non-native speakers get accepted, and they need a real teaching license plus 2+ years of full-time teaching experience.
- Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) Your degree can be in any subject – English, History, Science, anything. But the paper must be real and checked by the government.
- TEFL or TESOL Certificate You need at least 120 hours of training. Online or in-person is okay, but it must say “120 hours” on the certificate.
- Age limits Men: 18–60 years old Women: 18–55 years old Most schools like teachers who are 24–45 years old because parents trust them more.
Health and Background Checks
China wants safe and healthy teachers.
- Criminal Background Check (Police Check) You need a clean police paper from your home country. If you lived in another country for more than 6 months in the last 5–10 years, you need a police check from that country too. No crimes = okay. Small old crimes sometimes okay, but big crimes = NO visa.
- Health Check You must be healthy. No serious sickness. You do one health test in your country (sometimes) and one big test after you arrive in China.
The Step-by-Step Work Permit and Z Visa Application Process
There are two big parts:
Part 1 = Your school gets the Work Permit Notice for you Part 2 = You get the Z Visa in your passport
Securing the Work Permit Notice (Done by your school)
- Get a job first Sign a real contract with a school that has a license to hire foreign teachers.
- Send documents to your school
- Copy of passport (the page with photo)
- Bachelor’s degree (original will be checked later)
- TEFL/TESOL certificate
- Criminal background check
- Recent photo
- Your resume
- Authentication (the longest step – 1 to 3 months) Your degree and police check must be stamped by your government (notarized + apostille) and sometimes by the Chinese Embassy. Each country does it differently. Start this early!
- School applies for Work Permit Notice Your school sends everything to the government office in China. It takes 2–4 weeks. When it is approved, the school mails you two important papers:
- Work Permit Notice (official letter)
- Invitation Letter from the school
Getting the Z Visa in Your Passport
Now you go to the Chinese Embassy or Visa Center in your country.
- Fill the online form Go to the official website (COVA) and fill the form. Then book an appointment.
- Bring these documents to the appointment
- Your passport (must have 6+ months left and empty pages)
- Printed COVA form + one new passport photo
- Work Permit Notice (original or color copy – ask your school)
- Invitation Letter from the school
- Visa fee money (usually $90–$140, depends on your country)
- Wait 4–6 working days You get a Z Visa sticker in your passport. It is single entry and you must enter China within 30 days.
Tip: Do not buy your flight ticket until you have the Z Visa in your hand!
After You Arrive in China: Change Z Visa to Residence Permit
The Z Visa only lets you enter. You have only 30 days to finish everything inside China.
Register with Police (first 24 hours)
When you get your apartment, go to the nearest police station the next day. Bring your passport and the address paper from your landlord. They give you a small white paper called “Temporary Residence Registration”. Keep it safe!
Do the Big Medical Check in China
Your school takes you to a special hospital. They test blood, urine, eyes, chest X-ray, etc. It costs about 400–600 RMB. Usually the school pays or gives it back to you.
Apply for Residence Permit and Final Work Permit Card
Your school helper takes you to the government office (PSB – Exit and Entry Administration). You give:
- Passport + Z Visa
- Temporary Residence paper
- Medical check results
- Photos
- School documents
After 7–15 days you get:
- Residence Permit sticker in your passport (usually 1 year, sometimes 2–5 years)
- Foreign Expert Work Permit Card (plastic card or digital)
Now you are 100% legal! You can open a bank account, get a Chinese phone number, and work without worry.
Final Important Tips
- Start preparing documents 4–6 months before you want to come.
- Never pay a big “agent fee” to random people on the internet. Work only with real schools.
- Save all papers and make photocopies.
- The rules can change suddenly. Always check the nearest Chinese Embassy website one month before you apply.
Call to Action (CTA)
Ready to teach in China the right way? If you have a Bachelor’s degree and a 120-hour TEFL certificate, you already qualify! Start today:
- Order your criminal background check
- Get your degree and police paper authenticated
- Talk to good schools and get your Work Permit Notice
Your China adventure is waiting – do it legally and enjoy every minute!
Disclaimer:
This guide is for information only. Chinese government rules can change at any time. Always check the newest rules with the Chinese Embassy or Visa Center in your country before you apply.