Route comparison
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Baseline rows come from published route metadata. Optional fields appear only where ReloTide has source-backed structured enrichment.
| Field | 🇨🇳ChinaZ Visa, Foreigner's Work Permit and Work Residence — China January 2025 |
|---|---|
| Country | China (CN) |
| Route | Z Visa, Foreigner's Work Permit and Work Residence — China January 2025 |
| Route family | Employment / skilled work |
| Route type | work visa |
| Summary | Employer-linked work pathway combining the Foreigner's Work Permit, Z visa and work-type residence permit. |
| Last verified | 2025-01-02 |
| Official/supporting source count | 3 |
| Route guide | Open full guide → |
| Program availability | ActiveSource 1Source 2Source 3 |
| Best-fit work models | Local employmentSource 1Source 2Source 3 |
| Income requirement | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Savings requirement | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Investment requirement | Not applicableAs of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Government fees | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Processing time | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Validity | The process uses separate stages: work authorization/permit, a Z visa for entry where required, then a work-type residence permit. The exact visa and residence validity are determined by the issued documents and local rules.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Renewal | Work permits and work-type residence permits require category-specific extensions/changes through the relevant authorities. NIA guidance describes a possible five-year work-type residence permit after two consecutive grants exceeding one year, subject to the applicable rules.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Family inclusion | Eligible family members may seek separate S-category entry/residence permissions based on the worker's status and relationship documentation; family status is not automatically a work permit.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Spouse work rights | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Local-work rules | A Z visa is an entry visa, not the complete work authorization. The worker generally needs the required Foreigner's Work Permit and, after entry, a work-type residence permit; the job and employer are central to the authorization.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Application location | The Chinese employer obtains the required work authorization/notification, the worker applies for a Z visa at the competent mission if needed, then applies after entry for the work-type residence permit through the local exit-entry administration.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Permanent-residence pathway | Ordinary work residence is temporary and does not itself grant PR. Senior employees may separately qualify under the NIA four-year employment/permanent-residence category if all role, residence and tax conditions are met.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Citizenship pathway | Reviewed — unresolved: No source-backed value was approved for this field during the current structured review.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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