Employment & Professional Development

In my communication with the Dean at the school I am considering, she has said I should sign an intention contract and email it to her. Then she can get the work visa for me. She indicated I would then sign the formal contract when I arrive. She has indicated that I should only arrive on a Z visa, so is the Z visa protection enough? Is this normal procedure? I realize the Z visa actually expires shortly after I arrive since they now only last 3 months. So it is the actual work permit that is our protection? Also, can we leave and enter the country with just a work permit? Thanks for your help.

Hi Danny,

Different provinces have different procedures in place for the issuance of the letter of invitation and the work certificate. While most do not need signed contracts and other paper work, others will want to see signatures on the SAFEA contract, the contract addendum, and will even ask for the completed Physical Exam Record for Foreigners. In your case, what I suspect is that the school simply wants to have something in writing that you might regard as binding before they go through the expense of obtaining your documents for the Z-visa.

The Z-visa is valid for three months from the date of issuance, meaning you can enter China for the purpose of earning income up to three months from the date it is issued: However, you have only 30 days from the time you enter China to apply for a residency permit (and only two days to register your arrival with the local PSB).

Your protection is in the Z-visa, not the work certificate, in that it legally obligates the school to provide you with a job and look after you once your plane touches Chinese soil. The work permit stays with the Chinese consulate issuing the Z-visa: it is not returned to you. Years ago, the Z-visa and residency permit were two separate entities: now they are one and the same. Your residency permit will allow you to leave and enter China an unlimited number of times throughout the year it is valid for.