Visa Guide

China Business Visas Explained

Confused about M vs Z visa? Need an invitation letter? Here's what 2026's visa system looks like for business visitors and foreign workers.

M (Business)

Commercial activities, trade fairs, meetings

Duration: 30-90 days, single or multiple entry

Key Requirement: Requires invitation letter from Chinese company or trade fair organizer

Best for: Short-term business visitors, trade show attendees, contract signings

Employment in China

Duration: 30 days to enter, then converted to residence permit (1-5 years)

Key Requirement: Requires work permit + employer sponsorship; Category A talent gets 5-day processing

Best for: Full-time employees, executives, technical specialists

High-level talent, urgently needed professionals

Duration: 5-10 years, multiple entry

Key Requirement: Fastest processing — 5 business days; spouse included; 2026 reforms merged partial Z categories

Best for: AI, biotech, fintech, green energy professionals; PhDs and proven experts

Tourism, family visits

Duration: 30-60 days, single or double entry

Key Requirement: Cannot be used for business activities; some nationalities eligible for visa-free transit (144 hours)

Best for: Tourists, visiting family members

The 2026 "Talent R" visa merges previous R and selective Z categories — 5-day processing for Category A talent
144-hour visa-free transit available at major airports (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu) for 53 eligible nationalities
Invitation letters must come from registered Chinese entities — use trade fair organizers if you have no existing business partner
Spouse work authorization is now automatically included with R and Category A Z visas (2026 reform)
Hainan FTP offers visa-on-arrival for 59 countries — separate from mainland visa system
Digital nomad pilot program in Hainan allows remote work for foreign companies from within China

Obtain Work Permit Notice — Your Chinese employer applies online via the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA). Required: employment contract, degree certificates (legalized), criminal background check (legalized), health check report. Processing: 10-15 business days.
Apply for Z Visa — Take the Work Permit Notice to a Chinese embassy/consulate in your home country. Also submit: passport (6+ months validity), visa application form, passport photo. Processing: 4-5 business days (standard), 2 days (express).
Enter China — Z visa is single-entry, valid 30 days. You must enter China within this window and complete the remaining steps before it expires.
Register with Local Police — Within 24 hours of arrival, register your residence at the local police station. Hotels do this automatically; private residences require a visit to the police station.
Medical Check — Complete a health examination at a designated hospital (if not done abroad). Results in 3-5 business days.
Convert to Residence Permit — Submit your Work Permit Card, medical check results, police registration, and employment contract to the Exit-Entry Administration. Processing: 10-15 business days. Receive a residence permit (1-5 years validity) that replaces the Z visa.

📋 Valid passport

At least 6 months validity + 2 blank pages

📋 Work Permit Notice

Issued by SAFEA after employer application

📋 Degree certificate

Notarized + legalized by Chinese embassy

📋 Criminal background check

From country of residence, legalized

📋 Health examination report

Can be done abroad or in China

📋 Employment contract

Signed with Chinese employer

📋 Passport photo

48mm×33mm, white background

📋 Visa application form

Completed online and printed