A booming economyhas made China an attractive place to work for many expats.And whilst it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of what theMiddle Kingdom has to offer, you may just want to take a step backfor a moment and consider how you will face the somewhat arduous taskof getting a China visa.

蓬勃发展的经济使得中国成为吸引许多外籍人士工作的地方。虽然人们很容易沉浸在对中国所能提供的兴奋之中，但你哪怕是一想念先考虑一下自己将如何面对获得中国签证这一有些艰巨的任务。

Whether you travelto China for full-time work, a business trip or any other purpose,getting the right visa is crucial. Below we bring you your guide toChina visas for work to help you make an informed decision aboutwhich visa category you need to apply for.

无论你去中国是全职工作，出差还是其他目的，获得正确的签证是至关重要的。下面我们为您带来中国工作签证指南，以帮助您做出明智的决定，您需要申请哪一类签证。

An Overview

概述

Before we get intothe detail, let’s remind ourselves why getting the right visais so important. Certain visa categories denote certain types ofwork. A Z-visa for instance, is for those who intend towork in China full time. A J-visa is for those who intendto work as a journalist. An M-visa is for those who intendto travel to China for a business trip. The list goes on. Ensuringyou have the right visa is crucial. By not doing so, you openyourself up to a whole host of legal difficulties when you arrive inChina.

在我们详细讲之前，让我们先知道为什么获得正确的签证如此重要。特定的签证类别意味着特定的工作类型。例如，Z-visa是针对那些打算在中国全职工作的人。J-visa是为那些打算从事记者工作的人准备的。M-visa是针对那些打算去中国出差的人。这样的例子还有很多。确保你有正确的签证是至关重要的。如果你不这样做，那么当你到达中国的时候，你将面临一系列的法律问题。

DO NOT be tempted toget the wrong visa just because it makes things faster and easier. Itwill only come back to bite once you arrive in China. For instance,some unscrupulous employers may tell you to get an L-visa (fortourism) because it can be processed relatively quickly and thereforehelp you get to China sooner. Working on an L-visa however, isillegal. Not to mention you will not have any guaranteed rights ifyour employer tries to take advantage of you. They may tell you to dothis because it makes things easier for them. But they will not haveto deal with the consequences. YOU will. Do not put yourself at risk.Ensure you have the correct visa for work in China.

不要仅仅因为签证让事情变得更快更容易，就去申请错误的签证。只有当你到了中国，它才会反咬一口。例如，一些不择手段的雇主可能会告诉你获得L签证(旅游)，因为它可以相对较快地处理，因此可以帮助你更快地到达中国。然而，用L签证工作是违法的。更不用说，如果你的雇主试图利用你，你将得不到任何保障的权利。他们可能会告诉你这样做，因为这样做对他们来说更容易。但是他们不必承担后果。你会的。不要把自己置于危险之中。确保你有在中国工作的正确签证。

Applying for aChina Visa

申请中国签证

Regardless of whichvisa category you intend to apply for, you will need a passport withat least 6 months validity and enough blank pages (enough for thevisa, residence permit (if applicable) and immigration stamps etc.).You will also need a completed visa application form with an attachedpassport photo. Beyond this, there are a few other things you need toprepare in advance.

无论你打算申请哪一类签证，你都需要有效期至少6个月的护照和足够的空白页(足够申请签证、居留证(如适用)和入境印章等)。你还需要填写完整的签证申请表，并附上护照照片。除此之外，你还需要提前准备一些其他的事情。

Firstly, doublecheck that you are applying for the correct visa. For instance, ifyou do not know the difference between a Z-visa and an M-visa,research in advance which one is for you.

首先，仔细检查你是否申请了正确的签证。例如，如果你不知道Z签证和M签证的区别，事先研究一下哪一个适合你。

Secondly, researchwhich documents you will need. This will vary by visa category. Forinstance, a Z-visa will require a notarized copy of an undergraduatedegree certificate (the notarization process takes time). Whilst anM-visa may require a letter from a business partner in China. Makesure you do your research in advance.

其次，研究你需要哪些文件。这会因签证类别而有所不同。例如，Z签证需要本科学位证书的公证复印件(公证过程需要时间)。而M签证可能需要一封来自中国商业伙伴的邀请函。确保你提前做了调查。

Thirdly, researchwhere you should apply. It could be at your nearest Chineseembassy or consulate. Or you may have a nearby China Visa Applicationand Service Center (known as CVASC). If it is not convenient for youto apply for your visa in person, you may want to look into using avisa agency. However, make sure you thoroughly do your researchbeforehand to check the agency is legitimate and reliable.

第三，研究你应该申请的地方。它可能在你最近的中国大使馆或领事馆。或者你可能有一个附近的中国签证申请和服务中心(称为CVASC)。如果你不方便亲自申请签证，你可以考虑使用签证机构。但是，要确保你事先做好充分的调查，以确保中介机构的合法性和可靠性。

Z-Visa

Z 签证

Who is eligible?

谁有资格？

This is for expatswho take up paid employment or “undertake commercialentertainment performances in China”. Generally, this willapply to full-time workers such as teachers, copywriters andsalespeople etc.

这是为了那些从事有偿工作或“在中国从事商业娱乐表演”的外籍人士。一般来说，这适用于全职工作者，如教师，文案和销售人员等。

Requirements

要求

With perhaps afew exceptions, you will be asked for your BA degree certificate(China generally does not offer Z-visas to those without universityeducation) and a non-criminal record check. Both of these documentshave to be notarized by the foreign affairs office in your homecountry and by your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate. Be preparedfor a time-consuming process.

除了少数例外，你将被要求获得学士学位证书(中国通常不向没有大学文凭的人提供Z签证)和无犯罪记录。这两份文件都必须经过你所在国家的外交部和你最近的中国大使馆或领事馆的公证。准备好一个耗时的过程。

You may also beasked for reference letters from previous employers given that manyjobs in China require a minimum of two years’ experience. Youshould make sure each letter is signed and if possible has anofficial company stamp or header.

考虑到中国的许多工作需要至少两年的工作经验，你可能还会被要求从以前的雇主那里获得推荐信。你应该确保每封信都有签名，如果可能的话，还要有公司的正式印章或抬头。

M-Visa

M 签证

Who is eligible?

谁有资格？

This category is forexpats who go to China for commercial and trade activities. Forinstance, an M-visa may be issued to anyone who attends a trade fair,partakes in business negotiations, carries out factory visits etc.

这个类别适用于到中国从事商业和贸易活动的外籍人士。例如，任何参加贸易展览会、参加商务谈判、参观工厂等的人都可以获得M签证。

Requirements

要求

Applicants will needone of the following: an invitation letter from a Chinese businesspartner; a confirmation letter issued by an authorized Chineseinstitute or relevant unit; a trade fair invitation.

申请人需具备下列条件之一:中国商业伙伴发出的邀请函;中国授权机构或相关单位发出的确认函;贸易展览会邀请函。

Any invitationletter should include applicants full name, date of birth, passportnumber, the applicant’s intention of the visit, a schedule, aswell as information from the inviting party including an officialstamp.

任何邀请信应包括申请人的全名、出生日期、护照号码、申请人的访问意向、时间表，以及邀请方提供的资料，包括官方印章。

China also issuesF-visas. These are for those who intend to partake in exchanges,study tours or other short-term non-business activities. If theseapply to you, you may be better to apply for this category.

中国也发放F签证。这些签证适用于那些打算参加交流、考察旅游或其他短期非商业活动的人。如果这些适用于你，你可能更好申请这个类别。

During my time inChina, I have heard on the grapevine of those who apply for an M-visawith the intention of taking a paid job in China. DO NOT do this. Ifyou intend to work, you must get a Z-visa. M-visas are strictly forthose who travel to China on business trips i.e. do not earn anymoney whilst in China.

在中国期间，我听到过一些小道消息，有人申请M签证，打算在中国找一份有偿工作。不要这样做。如果你打算工作，你必须得到Z签证。M签证只适用于那些到中国出差的人，也就是说，在中国不赚钱的人。

R-Visa

R签证

Who is eligible?

谁有资格？

This is known as atalent visa and, as the name might suggest, is for those who arehighly-skilled and or have specialized qualities urgently needed inChina. This may include those who join China’s accreditedtalents introduction programs, are internationally recognised intheir field (Nobel prize winners etc.), are qualified for seniormanagement positions in Chinese state companies and so on.

这种签证被称为人才签证，顾名思义，这种签证适用于中国急需的高技能人才和专业人才。这可能包括那些加入中国认可的人才引进计划，在他们的领域得到国际认可(诺贝尔奖获得者等)，有资格担任中国国有企业的高级管理职位等等。

Requirements

规定

Generally for thiscategory, applicants will need to show certification which provesthey are… well… talented. Most likely applicants wouldalso need to get such certification notarized. Again, as with allvisa categories, make sure you do your research in advance.

一般来说，这个类别的申请人需要出示证书，证明他们是...很好...有才华。最有可能的申请者也需要得到这种证书的公证。再次重申，就像所有的签证类别一样，确保你提前做好调查。

J-Visa

J 签证

Who is eligible?

谁有资格？

This categoryapplies to foreign journalists. It is divided into those who intendto reside in China for more than 180 days (J1) and those who intendto stay less than 180 days (J2).

这个类别适用于外国记者。它分为那些打算在中国居住超过180天(J1)和那些打算在中国居住少于180天(J2)。

Requirements

要求

The Chinaembassy in the United States state the following as requireddocuments:

中国驻美国大使馆声明所需文件如下:

Visa notificationletter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry ofForeign Affairs of China and an official letter issued by the mediaorganization for which the journalist works”.

中国外交部新闻司发出的签证通知书和记者所在媒体机构发出的公函。

Entrepreneur Visa

创业签证

Who is eligible?

谁有资格？

This differsslightly from other visa types as it is only open to graduates fromChinese universities (this includes the special administrativeregions of Hong Kong and Macau). As is perhaps obvious in the name,it is for those who intend to start a business in China.

这与其他签证类型略有不同，因为它只对中国大学毕业生开放(包括香港和澳门特别行政区)。也许从名字上就可以看出，这是为那些打算在中国创业的人准备的。

The visa is still inits early stages and has so far been trialled in Shanghai andChengdu.

该签证仍处于早期阶段，目前已在上海和成都进行了试用。

Requirements

要求

These may vary bycity or region. However, there are some basic documents which allapplicants must provide. These are as follows:

这些因城市或地区而异。然而，有一些基本的文件，所有申请人必须提供。这些文件如下:

Complete businessplan… certificates of innovation and entrepreneurship issuedby economic development zones, high-tech parks, crowd innovationspaces, incubators and other professional platforms”.

完整的商业计划书...经济开发区、高新技术园区、人群创新空间、孵化器等专业平台颁发的创新创业证书。

Applicants shouldapply for an S1 visa with an “entrepreneur”remark. You should then “transfer it to a residential permitfor private affairs with a special entrepreneurship annotation”.

申请人须在申请S1签证时注明「创业」字样。然后，你应该“将它转移到一个私人事务的居住许可证上，并附有特殊的创业注释”。

Other Categories

其他类别

Those working ascrew on aircrafts, ships, trains or motor vehicles which crossinternational borders (airline staff etc.) will require a categoryC-visa.

那些在飞机、船舶、火车或机动车辆上工作的机组人员(航空公司员工等)需要C类签证。

For those who intendto do an internship in China, there is no specific visacategory. China Internship Placements recommends X1 (for those whointend to stay more than 180 days) or X2 (fewer than 180 days) visacategories as the most appropriate.

对于那些打算在中国实习的人，没有特定的签证类别。中国实习安置推荐X1(对于那些打算停留超过180天)或X2(少于180天)签证类别是最合适的。

For those who intendto work part-time as a student, you should gain approval from youruniversity and local exit and entry administration.

对于那些打算做兼职的学生，你应该从你的大学和当地出入境管理部门获得批准。

Once you arrivein China

一旦你到达中国

You must register atthe local police station within 24 hours. If you are staying in ahotel, you do not need to worry as this will all be taken care of foryou. Anywhere else such as a friend’s apartment, this issomething you MUST do.

你必须在24小时内到当地派出所登记。如果你住在酒店里，你不必担心，因为这些都会为你处理好的。在其他地方，比如朋友的公寓，这是你必须做的事情。

Remember too thatfor certain visa categories, you will be required to apply for aresidence permit within 30 days of arrival in China. This is true forthose on a Z-visa. Your employer should help you with this. Rememberthat before you obtain the residence permit, you should NOT leavemainland China (NOT even to travel to Hong Kong or Macau) as you willthen be unable to re-enter.

还要记住，对于某些类别的签证，你必须在抵达中国后30天内申请居留许可。这对于那些使用Z签证的人来说是真实的。你的雇主应该在这方面帮助你。请记住，在你获得居留许可证之前，你不应离开中国大陆(甚至不能前往香港或澳门)，因为你将无法再次进入。

Opportunitiesaplenty

机会充足

That then is yourguide to China visas for work. Again it is worth emphasizing theimportance of getting the right visa category. The last thing youwant is legal difficulties once you arrive in China.

这就是你的中国工作签证指南。同样值得强调的是获得正确的签证类别的重要性。你最不想看到的就是一旦你到达中国就会遇到法律上的困难。

Remember too to bepatient. Getting a visa can be a long and complicated process. Rulesregularly change and you may be asked for more and more documentsthroughout the visa process. This is perfectly normal.

记住要有耐心。获得签证是一个漫长而复杂的过程。规则经常变化，在整个签证过程中，你可能会被要求提供越来越多的文件。这是完全正常的。

Once you do get yourvisa for work in China, you are set to go, set to book your planeticket and experience all the Middle Kingdom has to offer. You willprobably find that when it comes to work, there are opportunitiesaplenty.

一旦你拿到了在中国工作的签证，你就可以去中国了，可以订机票，体验中国的一切。你可能会发现，当涉及到工作的时候，会有很多机会。

出处：头条号 @上海外事商务咨询中心