I've been searching for information regarding the step by step process of getting a Z visa for China. The info on how to get the Z visa is quite direct, but the amount of documentation that is needed to get the "Alien Employment Permit" which enables you to get the Z visa is astounding.

Since I had to find info from various sources and also a lot of trial and error, I would like to list down step by step what you need to do.

In order to get the "Alien Employment Permit", in my case, I am working for a multinational company and posted to China, so normally your company will ask a specialized company to handle your application for the work permit, they will email to you what are the requirements, in my case, it is:

1. Evaluation Form -
this form is just a form that you will need to fill with your info, with a passport size photograph with white background.

2. Reference letter -
this letter is a letter from your ex company saying that what position you held in the company and for how long. Must be in official company letterhead and it must show you have more than 2 years working experience.

3. Top Academic Cert -
Meaning, if you have a Uni Degree, use that, if have Masters Degree, use that. Please note that you need to photocopy and get the photocopy certified by "Kementerian Luar Negeri" (certified 1 copy is RM 10.00) and the link is http://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/home. But do not do it now, wait until you get the "Letter of Good Conduct" please read below

Update## You need to get the chop from Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi (http://jpt.mohe.gov.my/) before you take your cert to be certified at KLN. Please take note, you need to have the chop dates in order like that, KPT chop first then only KLN chop

4. Non criminal record certificate or otherwise known as "Letter of Good Conduct". You need to register as an ekonsular user here https://ekonsular.kln.gov.my/en/ and then apply for the "Letter of Good Conduct" online. You will need to scan a copy of a passport size photo. It says it will take 1 to 2 months but actually, it will take around 10-14 days. You need to always log into your account to check the status. Once ready you have to go to KLN to collect the letter which will be RM 20.

After you get the "Letter of Good Conduct", head over to Makamah Persekutuan (http://www.kehakiman.gov.my/node/178). Go to second floor to the
Makamah Rayuan and there you can get your "Letter of Good Conduct" and your "University Degree Cert" translated to chinese. Make photo copies of the
original documents (Letter of Good Conduct, University Degree and the translation). Go back to KLN and have all the photocopies certified as true copies.

You think you are done? Not yet...you still need to download this form (http://kuching.chineseconsulate.org/eng/lsfw/fd/P020111102508077558930.pdf) or (http://kuching.chineseconsulate.org/eng/lsfw/leg/P020131128607046329977.pdf) I have no idea why got 2 different forms, so to be on safe side, i filled up both. After that go to the Chinese Consular at Plaza OSK (http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/cemy/eng/sgxx/t174883.htm) to get your "Letter of Good Conduct" and University Degree" authenticated (4 documents x RM 80 = RM 320). Please take note they only open from 9am to 11.00am. 4 days later come collect.


5. Health Screening -
I only found one Hospital that actually provides a package for Health Screening for China visa application purposes which is Tung Shin Hospital (http://www.tungshin.com.my/packages/health-screening-packages/). You need to download and print out the form, bring 2 passport size photograph in white background for the screening (https://www.visaforchina.org/MEL_EN/generalinformation/downloads/270951.shtml). The screening will cost around RM 400 and the report will take 3 days to process and available for pickup


After you get all the required documents, scan and send it to the people that is helping you apply for the Alien Work Permit, after which, they will email to you the permit and you will need to use the permit to apply for Z visa. This one you can ask any tour agent to do for you, they will know what to do.

I hope at least me going thru all those running around, I write my experience here hope I can save other people a lot of time instead of running around like a blind fly.

reign226

well it's good to know about working in China.

can anyone share inside on working condition, salary range etc.

I supposed your employee should engage some agent to assist you with the Visa application. It is a super lengthy process.

1. First you apply the Z-visa in Malaysia. Please take note that the Z-visa only valid for single entry, any prior multiple entry travel / business visa will be voided so with this Z-visa, you can only enter China once, until your work permit / residence permit is applied.
(Please take note that at this point, you need to have a medical report done in recognized hospital in China. Which means, prior to applying Z-visa, you should be in China once with business / travel visa, for the medical checkup)

2. After you enter China with the Z-visa, the agent should collect your passport & medical report and start to apply work permit. Normally they prefer to do it in big city, like Guang Zhou, Bei Jing, Shang Hai instead of smaller cities (at least this is what my agent told me). Small cities tend to be more strict with approval. Work permit for alien can take about 2 - 3 weeks.

3. After you obtained your work permit, you will get a small passport like book. You will need to go to some immigration office, have an interview with the officer there. This is for the application for residence permit. In case they ask you, just say you'll stay permanent at the address provided. Then, you submit your passport again for residence permit application.

4. After 7 - 10 days, you will get back your passport.

My work permit valid for 2 years and residence permit valid for 1 year. According to the rules, you are supposed to write in to them in case you change address in China to update on the residence permit or to cancel the residence permit if you leave China after completion of work. No worries, you don't have to do that. Just keep it with you and for the coming 1 year you can have multiple entry to China with the residence permit.

I am not sure if the process might vary at different place, but I think it will be more or less.

Good luck.

Another important thing to note especially for fresh graduates, you need a minimum of 2 years post graduate work experience (after graduating) in order to satisfy local district laws for Z-Visa. This is heavily enforced at major cities like Shanghai, Beijing etc. Had a few offers from MNCs in Shanghai and HK when I graduated last year, but couldn't secure my Z-Visa due to this restriction.

I've tried adding my summer internship experiences which amounted to 2 years and those were rejected too. The only way I could foresee myself working there legally with a Z-Visa are either,

1. Obtain 2 years post grad working experience elsewhere and then jump over China.
2. Inter company transfer (another type of Visa is issued instead and can be renewed).
3. Have either parent who has HK Citizenship and apply for 'Rights of Abode' for HK PR. (Which was what I did after finding out a year later )

Finally, the packages I had for my graduate position (structural firm) was very competitive ranging from 18,000-24,000 RMB per month not including other allowances (I do believe these are expat rates, locals only get half or a quarter of that). If you have the opportunity to work in China, I'd say go for it. Art, food and culture there is superb compared to ASEAN countries.

working in china is good. its a modern city and more advanced than Singapore in some context.

The currency is good, getting stronger but the air can be catastrophic depending on where you stay.

You see to be quite knowledgeable about the process. So here's a simple question.

I've heard varying comments about the requirement for a degree in order to get a job in shanghai.

I only have a diploma so I'm just curious whether that will affect my chances.

Hey there. This section lacks of info of working in China.

Just got offered to work in Shenzhen, China but most probably non-managerial position. Could be Assistant Manager or lower by 1 tier.

Would like to hear tips/opinions of working in Tongsan lel.

I'm quite excited yet scared bcos of going so far.

How much should I expect of my salary package in order to survive there? Accommodation will be provided by the company, (a SOHO or studio)

malaysia company based in china?

or china company?

Any significant differences?

Company owned by Malaysian. He is my manager in my current company (Malaysia). He has his own business in China (no relation at all to current company)

oh, did the boss or top management knows about his 2nd biz besides of current job, generally employment contract prohibits such hidden 2nd biz by employee unless got approval by company in advance.

why didn't he juz go there and leave current job since he is the boss? did he feel still need a local 'backup plan' in case cn biz got problem?

if like that seems u are at greater risk than him, if his cn biz face problem juz close down then u need back to malaysia to find job again?

if it's a mnc in china, you can go ahead on exposure point of view. salary package wise you need to see what's their offer . expenses in Shenzhen is not cheap nor too exp like in shanghai and beijing. do some study on the expenses with the salary package they offered , weight it yourself.

Shenzhen is an awesome place. Every weekend you can go HK play.

The working scene in Shenzhen can be quite hectic. I got a Taiwanese friend who just left Shenzhen after spending about 30 months there. He was a senior engineer in some electronic firm, pay was not bad but the work is a BIG FULL load too.

My friend in China shared with me that the rental for a normal apartment costs approximately 4,000 RMB/month.

I'm not sure about but they have known each other for many years. He is resigning by April.

I think he started the business while he's the boss.

That's what I had in my mind. Scared of time wasted overseas then come back cannot find job. But I don't think the company will close down so soon.

It's not a mnc. Just a small company of <20 people.

Company is a vendor/supplier to a big electronic company. Company will have a joint-venture with another MNC company for project/business soon.

One of the reason, boss needed someone that he can trust to help him over there.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to discuss about my salary package in details with my boss. Somehow when we talked over the phone, he did mentioned RMB 5000 + allowances. Kinda low tho.

Yes, that's what I'm told. Competition is everywhere. Gotta hustle hard or else fall behind.

Whoa! That's approx. RM2,500. Luckily, a studio will be provided but i guess it will be very small. Maybe similar to HK one?


I'm not sure how much the taxes (I assume it does) will be on the salaries for expats and allowances will be taxable.

maybe u can help me i help u do side income, haha (if u got times)

if got chance try xplore your 'own opportunity' there, may earn far more than working for your boss

RMB 5000 is really really low. i wouldn't think about it . just saw you mentioned studio will be provided. anyhow,think twice...

This post has been edited by zarksentinel: Feb 18 2017, 12:59 AM

Considering spending 1.5k and save up 1k per month, so for this 1k you will sacrifice all your contact relations and accumulative years of experiences in local company to become senior, worth it or not ?

better go other country better if paid peanuts