China work visa

Foreign nationals intending to work in China who can provide one of the specified Chinese work or activity documents.

• Intend to work in China

  The Z visa is issued to those who intend to work in China.

  zm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Provide a qualifying work document

  Provide one of the documents listed for a Z visa: a Foreigners Employment Permit issued by the Chinese human resources and social security authorities; a Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China; a Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of enterprises of foreign countries or regions; an approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese cultural authorities; or a Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

  zm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Provide short-term approval if applicable

  If the intended work period is 90 days or less under the employment-permit route, or the intended commercial performance period is 90 days or less, provide an Approval of Short-Term Employment for Foreigners Working in China and apply for the visa before the commencing work or performance date indicated on the approval.

  zm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Have a valid passport

  Provide the original passport with over six months’ validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of its information page.

  zm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Provide an ID photo

  An ID photo is a general document required for every visa type.

  zm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Show legal stay if not Zambian

  Non-Zambian citizens applying through the embassy in Zambia must provide proof of legal stay or residence status.

  zm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Provide previous documents if applicable

  Former Chinese citizens who have acquired foreign citizenship must provide photocopies of previous Chinese passports or visas; applicants using a renewed foreign passport without their previous Chinese visa must provide the specified previous passport and visa copies, and an official name-change document if their name has changed.

  zm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Single-entry visa, Zambian passportzm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSourceZK 845 per person
• Single-entry visa, Argentine passportzm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSourceZK 2,535 per person
• Single-entry visa, United States passportzm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSourceZK 2,625 per person
• Single-entry visa, Canadian passportzm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSourceZK 1,350 per person
• Single-entry visa, Brazilian passportzm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSourceZK 2,365 per person
• Single-entry visa, Israeli passportzm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSourceZK 480 per person
• Single-entry visa, Serbian passportzm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSourceZK 45 per person
• Single-entry visa, Uruguayan passportzm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSourceZK 710 per person
• Single-entry visa, Romanian passportzm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSourceZK 1,270 per person
• Single-entry visa, other passportszm.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSourceZK 660 per person

1. Get ready

   • Obtain your work document

     Get one of the documents specified for a Z visa and, where required for work or a performance lasting 90 days or less, the short-term employment approval.

     You’ll need: Qualifying Chinese work or activity document, Short-term employment approval, if applicable

   • Gather your passport and supporting documents

     Prepare your passport and ID photo, plus proof of legal stay or residence if you are not Zambian and previous Chinese documents if applicable.

     You’ll need: Passport, ID photo, Proof of legal stay or residence, if applicable, Previous Chinese passport or visa documents, if applicable

2. Apply

   • Complete the online application

     Register on the China Online Visa Application website, select “Africa – Zambia – Lusaka”, complete the form and upload the required documents.

     You’ll need: Completed online visa application, Uploaded supporting documents

   • Track your application

     Check its status and amend the form or upload additional documents if instructed.

     You’ll need: Any additional documents requested

3. Visa

   • Submit your passport

     After notification through the application website, submit your passport to the Chinese Embassy’s Consular Section in Lusaka.

     You’ll need: Passport

   • Give fingerprints

     The embassy says fingerprint collection remains mandatory for Z-visa applicants who are required to apply for residence permits after entry.

   • Pay the visa fee

     Take the collection slip to the Bank of China, pay the visa fee and obtain a receipt.

     You’ll need: Collection slip, Payment receipt

   • Collect and check your passport

     Return to the Consular Section with the receipt to collect your passport and visa, and check the documents before leaving.

     You’ll need: Payment receipt, Passport

4. Travel

   • Enter China within your visa’s validity

     When you arrive

     Use the visa before its “Enter Before” date and observe its permitted number of entries and duration of stay.

     You’ll need: Passport with Z visa

5. Settle in

   • Apply for a residence permit if required

     When you arrive

     Apply to the local public security authorities within 30 days of entry unless the visa’s Duration of Each Stay is marked as 30 days.

     You’ll need: Passport with Z visa

A residence permit application after entry, unless the visa’s Duration of Each Stay is marked as 30 days.

• Guideline on Visa Application (updated on 18 September 2026）_EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIAzm.china-embassy.gov.cnOfficial
• zm.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/fw/qz_132068/202507/t20250710_11668315.htmOfficial
• Apply for Ordinary Visas_EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIAzm.china-embassy.gov.cnOfficial
• zm.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/fw/qz_132068/202512/t20251223_11781904.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.