China work permit and Z visa

Foreign nationals with an identified employer in China who meet the requirements for their intended work.

• Be at least 18

  A foreigner seeking employment in China must be 18 years of age or older.

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• Be in good health

  A foreigner seeking employment in China must be in good health.

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• Have no criminal record

  A foreigner seeking employment in China must have no criminal record.

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• Have an identified employer

  A foreigner seeking employment in China must have a clearly defined employer.

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• Meet the job requirements

  A foreigner seeking employment in China must have the professional skills and job experience required for the intended work. The official guidance describes different categories of foreign workers; it does not make one degree, number of years’ experience or points score a requirement for every applicant.

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• Have a valid passport

  For the visa application described by the Chinese embassy in Nigeria, submit an original passport valid for more than six months, with a blank visa page, and a copy of its information page.

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• Obtain the work-permit notification

  For work of up to and including 90 days, submit the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit for work of no more than 90 days. For work exceeding 90 days, submit the notification for work of more than 90 days.

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• Provide long-stay evidenceSometimes needed

  For work exceeding 90 days, submit an invitation letter or certification letter from the receiving organisation, and proof of income or bank statements for the preceding six months.

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• Single-entry visa fee for a Nigerian citizen; visa application centre service fees excludedResearched just now · being double-checkedSource₦10,500 per person
• Double-entry visa fee for a Nigerian citizen; alternative to the single-entry feeResearched just now · being double-checkedSource₦15,750 per person
• Six-month multiple-entry visa fee for a Nigerian citizen; alternative to the single-entry feeResearched just now · being double-checkedSource₦21,000 per person
• One-year multiple-entry visa fee for a Nigerian citizen; alternative to the single-entry feeResearched just now · being double-checkedSource₦31,500 per person

1. Get ready

   • Secure an employer

     Confirm the employer and intended work, for which you must have the required professional skills and experience.

     You’ll need: Job contract or certificate of employment

   • Prepare work-permit documents

     Prepare the application form and supporting documents listed in the government’s work-permit guidance.

     You’ll need: Work-qualification evidence, Highest qualification or relevant approval and professional qualification documents, No-criminal-record certificate, Health examination certificate, Job contract or employment certificate, Passport or other valid travel document, Recent photograph

2. Apply

   • Have your employer apply online

     Your employer submits the work-permit application through the Management and Service System for Foreigners Working in China.

     You’ll need: Application Form for Foreigner’s Work Permit, Supporting work-permit documents

3. Visa

   • Complete the visa form

     Complete the online Chinese visa application form and print the form and confirmation page.

     You’ll need: Printed visa application form, Printed confirmation page, Recent colour passport photograph

   • Submit your Z visa application

     Submit the applicable work-permit notification and visa documents at a Chinese Visa Application Centre; the embassy says applicants provide fingerprints and pay there.

     You’ll need: Work-permit notification, Passport and information-page copy, Visa form and confirmation page, Photograph, For work exceeding 90 days: receiving organisation’s letter and income proof or six months’ bank statements

4. Travel

   • Enter China with your Z visa

     When you arrive

     Enter China using the Z visa issued for your work.

     You’ll need: Passport, Z visa

5. Settle in

   • Register where you stay

     When you arrive

     A hotel can handle residence registration for its guests; if you stay elsewhere, register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival.

     You’ll need: Passport or other valid travel document, If staying elsewhere: rental contract or property ownership certificate

   • Obtain your work permit

     When you arrive

     If you will work for more than 90 days, obtain the Foreigner’s Work Permit and work within its validity period.

     You’ll need: Work-permit application documents

   • Apply for a residence permit

     When you arrive

     If you enter to work and live in China for more than 90 days, apply for a work-related residence permit within 30 days of entry.

     You’ll need: Valid passport or other travel document, Residence-permit application form and photograph, Documents supporting the reason for residence

A Foreigner’s Work Permit and, for work lasting more than 90 days, a work-related residence permit.

• Rules for the Administration of Employment of Foreigners in Chinaenglish.www.gov.cnOfficial
• 尼日利亚公民申请中国签证指南（2026年5月12日更新）ng.china-embassy.gov.cnOfficial
• english.www.gov.cn/2025special/bizexpatsinchina2025Official
• ng.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zytz/202512/t20251227_11788404.htmOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.