外国人申请中国工作签证相关内容介绍（Introduction to foreigners of applying for Chinese work visa）

English version below

一、什么是中国签证

中国签证是中国签证机关依照中国法律法规为入、出或过境中国的外国人颁发的许可证明。中国签证机关根据外国人的身份、来华目的，并参照护照种类，分别颁发外交签证、礼遇签证、公务签证或普通签证。

颁发中国签证的机关有：

一、 中华人民共和国驻外使馆、领馆或者外交部委托的其他驻外机构负责在境外签发外国人入境签证。

二、 公安部、外交部可以在各自职责范围内委托县级以上公安机关出入境管理机构、县级以上外事部门受理外国人入境、停留居留申请。

三、 香港特区入境事务处：负责外国人入出香港特别行政区的有关事宜。

四、澳门特区治安警察局：负责外国人入出澳门特别行政区的有关事宜。

二、如何理解签证的入境有效期、入境次数及停留期限

1、入境有效期

签证的入境有效期，是指持证人所持签证入境的有效时间范围。非经签发机关注明，签证自签发之日起生效，于入境有效期满当日北京时间24:00失效。只要入境次数仍有剩余，在入境有效期满前的任时候，持证人均可持此签证赴中国。入境有效期已过的签证，无论是否剩余入境次数，均无法使用。

中国驻外使领馆不能延长签证的入境有效期。如果签证失效，请重新申请签证。持用失效签证前往中国，将被拒绝入境。因此，出发去中国前，请再次检查签证的入境有效期。请注意，即使外国人持有有效的中国签证，也可能被中国出入境管理部门拒绝入境。

例如：

问：我的签证入境次数为两次，入境有效期至6月20日。我已于6月12日第一次使用该签证入境中国。可否于6月25日再次使用该签证前往中国？

答：不可以。因为该签证的入境有效期已过，即使仍有剩余的入境次数，您也无法再次使用。

2、入境次数

签证的入境次数，是指持证人在签证的入境有效期内可以入境的次数。入境次数用完，签证即失效；即使入境次数未用完，如果入境有效期已过，签证亦失效。如需再次前往中国，须重新申请签证。持用入境次数已用完的签证前往中国，将被拒绝入境。

例如：

问：我的签证入境次数为两次，入境有效期是3月20日至6月20日。我已于5月20日前入境中国两次。能否在6月20日前继续使用该签证？

答：不能。因为该签证的入境次数已用完，即使该签证尚在入境有效期内，您也无法继续使用。

3、停留期限

签证的停留期限，是指持证人每次入境后被准许停留的时限，自入境次日开始计算。

例如1：

问：我的签证入境次数为一次，停留期限为30天。我计划于6月12日入境中国，在中国最长可以停留至几月几日？

答：您在中国最长可以停留至7月12日。因为签证停留期限是自入境次日（6月13日）开始计算，最长可以停留30天，至7月12日。

例如2：

问：我的签证入境次数为一次，停留期限为30天，入境有效期至6月12日。如果我于签证的入境有效期最后一天，即6月12日，入境中国，可否在中国停留30天？

答：可以。

如在中国停留需超过签证允许的停留期限，当事人必须在当地公安机关规定的期限内提出申请延期。可以申请并不等于申请一定会被批准，由此可能引起的一切责任应由申请人承担。

在中国停留超过签证停留期限，将违反外国人出入境管理法规，并会被处以罚款等处罚。

三、我应在启程前多久申请签证？

建议您提前1个月递交签证申请，但不得早于3个月。因为中国签证的入境有效期一般为3个月，如果过早申请，签证可能会在您出发之前就过期失效。例如，如果您准备在7月1日入境中国，最好在6月1日左右递交签证申请。请注意，某些种类签证的入境有效期只有1个月或少于1个月，您可能需要提前2周左右申请签证。

四、工作签证申请材料

（一）护照

自申请之日起有效期6个月以上、有空白签证页的护照原件及护照照片资料页彩色复印件1份。

（二）签证申请表及照片

填写完整并签名的《中华人民共和国签证申请表》1份，所附照片要求为：6个月之内、正面、彩色（白色背景）、免冠、小2寸护照照片（48mm×33mm），照片规格要求见附件。如护照上的携行儿童同行，还须粘贴该儿童照片1张，并在申请时作特别说明。

您可以选择以下方式填写申请表：

在签证中心网站在线填表（适用于开放此功能的签证中心），填妥后打印并签名；

请注意：来签证中心递交申请时，请务必携带填写好的签证申请表。

（三）合法停留或居留证明（适用于不在国籍国申请签证者）

如果您不在国籍国申请签证，请提供在当地合法居留、工作、学习的有效证明或有效签证的原件和复印件。长期居住在日本的第三国公民需要提交“在留卡”原件、复印件；

（四）原中国护照或原中国签证（适用于曾有中国国籍，后加入外国国籍者）

如您系首次申请中国签证，须提供原中国护照原件及护照照片资料页复印件；如您曾获中国签证并持新换发的外国护照申请签证，须提供原外国护照照片资料页及曾获得的中国签证复印件（如果新护照所记载的姓名与原护照不一致，还须提供有关官方出具的更改姓名的证明文件）。

（五）须提供下列证明材料之一：　　

1、赴华与中国境内合作方完成某项技术、科研、管理、指导

        到中国境内体育机构进行试训（准备受聘）的教练员和运动员

       拍摄影片（包括广告片、纪录片、教学片、宣传片）

       参加时装表演（包括车模、拍摄平面广告）

● 人力资源和社会保障部门签发的《外国人就业许可通知》原件及复印件

● 人力资源和社会保障部门签发的《短期工作证明》原件及复印件

※入境短期工作不超过30天，可申请30天Z字签证。

2、应聘赴华工作人员

● 人力资源和社会保障部门签发的《外国人就业许可通知》原件及复印件

3、外国专家

● 外国专家局签发的《外国专家来华工作许可证书》原件及复印件

※注意事项：

1. 持不限停留期签证的持证人入境中国后须在30日内向拟居留地县以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请办理居留证件。

2. 持Z字签证入境后因故30天内出境但尚未办妥《就业证》等居留证件的，需重新递交材料申请Z字签；如已办妥《就业证》等工作证件但未办妥工作类居留证件的，凭工作证件申请Z字签；如已办妥工作类居留证件但出境后因故未能在居留证件有效期内返回的，凭《就业证》等工作证件原件申请Z字签证。

3. 如在华停留超过30天，可申请不限停留期的Z字签证。以上均收复印件。

I.What’s a Chinese Visa

A Chinese visa is a permit issued by visa authorities of the People’s Republic of China in accordance with its laws and regulations to a foreign citizen for entry into, exit from or transit through Chinese territory. The Chinese visa authorities will issue a diplomatic visa, courtesy visa, service visa or ordinary visa according to the foreign citizen’s status, purpose of visit and type of passport.

China's Visa Authorities are:

1.Chinese diplomatic embassies, consulates general, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and in the Macao Special Administrative Region, and other resident organizations abroad authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for handling visa applications by foreign citizens for entry into and transit through Mainland of China(Mainland only) and the Hong Kong (SAR) or Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

2.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the local foreign affairs offices authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for issuance, change and extension of diplomatic and service visas and for issuance of a residence permit to holders of this type of visa.

3.The Ministry of Public Security, and the local public security bureaus authorized by it, are responsible for inspection on entry and exit of foreigners, issuance of visas at the port of entry, extension and change of ordinary visas, and issuance of residence permit to holders of ordinary visas already in China.

4.The Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is responsible for matters relating to foreigners’ entry into and exit from the SAR.

5.Public Security Police Force of the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region is responsible for matters relating to foreigners’ entry into and exit from the SAR.

II.How to understand the validity, number of entries and duration of stay

(1)Validity

Validity of a visa refers to the period that the visa holder is allowed to enter China. Unless otherwise specified, a visa holder may enter China at any time prior to expiry of validity (right up to midnight Beijing Time on the final day of validity), so long as the entries granted on the visa have not been used up.

A visa becomes effective from the date of issuance. The visa automatically becomes invalid once its period of validity expires regardless of whether its entries are used up or not.

Chinese embassies and consulates general do not extend the validity of an issued visa. A fresh application is needed after the expiry of the issued visa. Foreigners holding an expired visa seeking entry will be refused. Make sure the visa is valid before you set off for China. However, even if a foreigner holds a valid visa, he or she might be refused entry by the immigration authorities.

Example:

Q: I hold a double entry visa valid until June 20 and the first entry occurs on June 12. Can I come to China again for the second entry on June 25?

A: No, you will be refused to enter China as the visa had expired before the attempt to use the second entry.

(2)Number of Entries of a Visa

The number of entries of a visa refers to the number of times the visa holder is permitted to enter China within the visa’s validity. When the entries are all used up, the visa is no longer valid. Even if there are still unused entries, the visa is not valid either if its validity has already expired. In either case, the visa holder should apply for a new visa if another visit to China is planned. An applicant will be refused entry to China if all the visa entries have been used up.

Example:

Q: I hold a double-entry visa valid from March 20 to June 20, and have entered China twice before May 20. Can I continue to use this visa again before June 20?

A: No, you have used all the entries permitted by the visa.

(3)Duration of Stay

Duration of stay of a visa refers to the longest period the visa holder is allowed to stay in China from the day following entry to China on each visit.

Example 1:

Q: I hold a single-entry visa with duration of stay of 30 days and enter China on June 12. When is the last day I can stay in China lawfully permitted by the visa?

A: The last day is July 11 as the duration of stay is counted from June 12, the day same entry.

Example 2:

Q: I hold a single-entry visa for a stay up to 30 days and validity until June 12. If I enter China on June 12, the last day of validity, can I stay in China for 30 days thereafter?

A: Yes.

After entry into China, a foreign citizen who needs to stay in China longer than the duration of stay permitted by the visa must apply for an extension of stay at a local public security bureau before the original permitted period of stay expires. This does not necessarily mean your application for an extension will be approved. The applicant shall bear any consequences arising from this situation.

Overstay in China violates the country’s laws and regulations on control of the entry and exit of foreigners, and could result in a fine or other penalty.

III. What would be the best time for me to apply for a visa before my planned departure for China?

It is advisable that you apply for a visa one month before your intended date of entry into China but not earlier than three months. The Chinese visa is typically valid for three months. If you apply for a visa too early, the visa may expire before your departure. For instance, if you plan to enter China on July 1, the best time to submit your application would be around June 1 (counting working days only).

Please note that the validity of some visas is equal to or shorter than one month. In that case, you may apply for the visa around two weeks before your intended date of entry into China.

IV. Prepare Documents for Z visa

(1) Passport

Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and with blank visa pages, a colored photocopy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate.

(2) Visa Application Form and Photo

One completed Visa Application Form with a recent 6 momths colour passport photo (bare-head, full face) against a white background (size: 48mm x 33mm) attached. If the accompanying children on the same passport are also on the tour, their photos should be stuck on the Application Form, and related illustration is required.

You have to complete an Online Application Form (where a Visa Centre provides such service), print it out and sign it.

Please remember to bring the completed form to the Visa Centre to submit your application.

(3) Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)

If you are not applying for a visa in your country of nationality, please provide valid proof of legal residence, work, study or original and photocopy of a valid visa.

(4) Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable for those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship).

If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide the last Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its data page.

If you have obtained Chinese visas before and apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change).

（5）And One of the following documents:

1. visiting China to cooperate with its Chinese counterpart for the purpose of accomplishing

       some kind of technique, scientific research, management or instructing

       coaches or players who go to sports institutions in China to join in training (to be employed)

       Making films (including commercial advertisement, documentary, teaching films and propaganda)

       to take part in fashion show (including car girls, making films of print adverting)

● a Foreigner Working Permit Notice issued by ministry of human resources and social security and a photocopy of the permit

●a Short-Term Working Permit issued by ministry of human resources and social security and a photocopy of it

※ if the intended duration in China for short-term work is limited to no more than 30 days, the applicant can apply for Z visa of 30 days’ stay

2.employed staff who are intended to go to China

● a Foreigner Working Permit Notice issued by ministry of human resources and social security or a valid Alien Employment License and a photocopy of it

3.foreign experts

● a Foreign Experts Working Permit in China issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs and a photocopy of it

We kindly remind you that:

● Holders of a Z-visa must apply for a residence permit from the immigration department of the local public security authority in the place intended to stay within 30 days of entry into China.

● In principle, an applicant does not need a medical examination proof for visa application. But a medical examination proof should be submitted when an applicant applies for a residence permit in China. A medical examination proof can be held in the public hospitals which are recognized by local authorities.

● If a holder of a Z-visa has not finished the process of Working Permit or Residence Permit within 30 days after entering China and leave China, one must apply for a Z-visa once again. If a holder of a Z-visa has finished of process of Working Permit application except Residence Permit, one can apply for the Z-visa with the working permit. If a holder of a Z-visa leaves China after finishing the process of residence permit application but did not go back to China in duly return days, one can apply for a new Z-visa with the working permit and residence permit.

● If the intended duration in China exceeds 30 days, the applicant should apply for a Z-visa of unlimited stay.

The new rules mentioned above go into effect from this day. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.