The Z Visa is China's work visa, required for anyone taking up paid employment in mainland China, including English teachers. If you're planning to teach in China in 2026, this guide walks you through exactly what you need, the order to do it in, and the common pitfalls that delay applications.
What is the Z Visa?
The Z Visa is the official work visa for foreign nationals employed in China. It permits legal, paid work and is the only correct visa category for teaching English. Working on a tourist (L) or business (M) visa is illegal and can result in fines, detention, and deportation.
Who is eligible to teach in China?
- Be a native English speaker (or hold a degree taught in English) from an approved country.
- Hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
- Have a recognised TEFL/TESOL certificate of at least 120 hours.
- Have no criminal record (verified by police background check).
- Be aged between 18 and 60 (some regions cap at 55).
- Be physically and mentally fit for work.
Step-by-step Z Visa process
Step 1: Secure a job offer
You must have a confirmed offer from a licensed employer (school, university, or training centre) before you can apply. The employer initiates the paperwork on the Chinese side.
Step 2: Obtain the Work Permit Notification
Your employer applies for a Foreigner's Work Permit Notification through the Chinese authorities. You'll need to supply your degree, TEFL certificate, passport, CV, and a health check to support this.
Step 3: Authenticate your documents
Your degree and criminal background check must be authenticated. Since China joined the Apostille Convention (Nov 2023), most documents from member countries now require an apostille rather than full consular legalisation, a significant simplification.
Step 4: Apply for the Z Visa at a Chinese consulate
With your Work Permit Notification, submit your Z Visa application (form COVA), passport, photo, and supporting documents to the Chinese embassy/consulate or visa centre in your home country.
Step 5: Enter China and convert to a Residence Permit
The Z Visa is a single-entry visa valid for 30 days. Once in China, you must — within 30 days, collect your Work Permit card and apply for a Residence Permit, which allows you to live and work for the duration of your contract.
Documents checklist
- Valid passport (6+ months validity, blank pages).
- Authenticated/apostilled bachelor's degree.
- 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate.
- Authenticated criminal background check.
- Medical examination report.
- Signed employment contract.
- Foreigner's Work Permit Notification.
- Passport-sized photos and completed application forms.
How long does it take?
Allow 6–10 weeks from job offer to arrival. Document authentication is usually the slowest stage, so start gathering your degree and background check early — even before you've signed a contract.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering China on a tourist visa "to sort things out" — this is illegal.
- Leaving document authentication too late.
- Using an unlicensed employer or agent.
- Forgetting to convert the Z Visa to a Residence Permit within 30 days.
- Holding a TEFL certificate under 120 hours.
How to apply for a Z Visa from the USA
The core process is the same worldwide, but US applicants have a few country-specific steps to plan for. Follow these in order to keep your timeline on track.
- Secure your job offer and Work Permit Notification. Sign a contract with a licensed employer, who will then apply for your Foreigner's Work Permit Notification through the Chinese authorities.
- Get a federal or state criminal background check. Most provinces accept an FBI Identity History Summary; some accept a state-level check. Request it early, as processing plus the channeler can take a few weeks.
- Authenticate your degree and background check. Have each document notarized, certified by the relevant Secretary of State, then authenticated by the US Department of State, and finally legalized by the Chinese Embassy or a Consulate General (Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Houston) that covers your state.
- Complete the medical examination. Use the standard Physical Examination Record for Foreigner form; you can also redo it in China after arrival.
- Submit your Z Visa application. File the COVA form online, print it, and lodge your passport and supporting documents with your jurisdiction's Chinese visa application service center (CVASC).
- Enter China and convert to a Residence Permit. Travel on the single-entry Z Visa and, within 30 days of arrival, convert it to a work-type Residence Permit at the local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau.
How to apply for a Z Visa from the UK
UK applicants follow the same sequence, with authentication handled through the FCDO rather than the US State Department.
- Sign your contract and obtain the Work Permit Notification. Your employer initiates this once you have accepted the role.
- Apply for an ACRO Police Certificate. This is the UK's recognised criminal record check for visa purposes; standard processing is quick but allow extra time in busy periods.
- Legalise your degree and ACRO certificate. Get each document notarised by a UK solicitor or notary, then apostilled by the FCDO Legalisation Office, and finally attested by the Chinese Embassy in London or the Consulate General in Manchester, Edinburgh or Belfast that covers your region.
- Complete a medical check. Arrange the foreigner physical examination, or complete it after arrival if your province allows.
- Lodge your Z Visa application. Complete the COVA form and submit your passport and documents to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in London, Manchester, Edinburgh or Belfast.
- Arrive and register your Residence Permit. Enter on the Z Visa and convert it to a Residence Permit within 30 days at the local Public Security Bureau.
In all three countries, the authentication chain is the slowest part, so begin gathering and legaprocess is the slowes soon as you have a signed contract.
How to apply for a Z Visa from South Africa
South African applicants follow the same core sequence, with document authentication handled through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) rather than the FCDO or US State Department.
- Sign your contract and obtain the Work Permit Notification. Your employer applies for this in China once you have accepted the role.
- Get a police clearance certificate. Apply for a SAPS Police Clearance Certificate (PCC); allow several weeks, as processing times can be long.
- Legalise your degree and police clearance. Have each document notarised, then authenticated by DIRCO (the apostille or full legalisation), and finally attested bapostille or full legalisation), and finally attested by the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria or the Consulate-General in Cape Town, Johannesburg,k. Arrange the foreigner physical examination, or complete it after arrival if your 'sprovince allows.
- Lodge your Z Visa application. Complete the COVA form online and submit your passport and documents to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Pretoria, Cape Town or Johannesburg.
- Arrive and register your Residence Permit. Enter China on the Z Visa and convert it to a work-type Residence Permit within 30 days at the local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau.
Get qualified first
A recognised 120-hour TEFL certificate is a non-negotiable requirement for the Z Visa. Completing an accredited course before you apply keeps your timeline on track and makes you a stronger candidate with Chinese employers.
