China Work Visa (Z Visa)for 🇮🇳 Indian citizens travelling to 🇨🇳 China
Indian citizens are required to obtain a China Work Visa (Z Visa) before travelling to China. You must submit a formal application at the China embassy, consulate, or a designated visa application centre in your country. Apply well in advance of your planned travel date.
Verified 2026-06-20: The China Z (work) visa is the entry document, not the long-term status. It is usually a single-entry visa valid about 90 days, within which the holder enters China and, within 30 days of arrival, applies at the local Public Security Bureau / Exit-Entry Administration for a Work-type Residence Permit. That residence permit is what authorises the actual stay: it is valid 1 to 5 years, tied to the employment contract, with a 1-year permit being the standard first issue and renewals available annually. The figure shown reflects that first-year residence permit (renewable up to 5 years); the old "90" was merely the Z-visa validity, not the permitted stay. A valid Work Permit Notice and employer sponsorship are required before the Z visa is issued.
Apply Now — Official Portal ↗📋Required Documents8
- ✓Work Permit Notification letter from Chinese labour authorities
- ✓No-criminal-record certificate from home country (apostilled)
- ✓Passport-size photograph (48×33mm, white background)
- ✓Completed China Visa Application Form (Form V.2013)
- ✓Educational degree certificate (notarised and apostilled)
- ✓Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity, at least one blank visa page)
- ✓Foreign Expert Certificate or Employment Notice from Chinese employer
- ✓Health examination form from approved medical institution
ℹ️What to Expect
To apply for a China Work Visa (Z Visa), book an appointment at the nearest China embassy or visa application centre in your country. Submit the required documents in person or via a designated courier service. Processing takes approximately 7 days. The government fee is CNY 600.00. Plan well ahead of your intended travel date to allow time for processing and any additional document requests from the consulate. Always verify current requirements at the official government portal before booking travel.
📎Supporting Documents (may strengthen your application)
- ○Professional licence or qualification certificate (for regulated professions)
Conditional — required for doctors, engineers, teachers, financial professionals (if applicable)
🌐Why Indian passport holders need a visa for China
Indian citizens require a visa to enter China based on the current immigration requirements set by China's government. Indian passport holders must apply through the China embassy, consulate, or a designated visa application centre before travelling. Requirements are subject to change, so always verify at the official government portal.
⚠️Common Reasons China Work Visa (Z Visa) Applications Are Refused6
- !No valid Work Permit Notice / employer sponsorship secured before applying for the Z visa.
- !Qualifications, experience or the job offer not meeting China's work-permit points criteria.
- !Unauthenticated or unlegalised degree certificates, criminal-record check or supporting documents.
- !Failing the required medical examination.
- !Name, date-of-birth or passport-number mismatch across the application, passport and notice.
- !Prior overstay, illegal employment or an adverse immigration record in China.
Refusal grounds are at the discretion of the deciding officer and can change. This list is informational — always verify current requirements at the official government portal.
Requirements last reviewed: June 2026 · Source: official government portal
🔗More China Visa Options
- China F Visa — Exchange, Visit, and Study Tour →
- China G Visa — Transit →
- China M Visa — Commercial and Trade Activities →
- China Student Visa (X1/X2) →
- China Tourist Visa (L Visa) →