A visa, a residence permit and a work permit answer different questions. Check the document relevant to your next action before accepting a job, booking travel or assuming you may remain in China.
Which document answers which question?
- Visa: What entry purpose, number of entries and permitted stay does the visa specify? A visa does not by itself settle permission for long-term residence or employment.
- Residence permit: What purpose and validity period has the public-security exit-entry authority approved for residence? A work-type residence permit is distinct from a study or reunion permit.
- Foreigner's work permit: Has the competent work-permit authority authorized the employment? Under China's Exit and Entry Administration Law, employment generally requires both a work permit and a work-type residence permit under the applicable rules. A residence permit for another purpose does not alone authorize work.
For a typical longer-term employment route
- The employer arranges the work-permit process and the Notification Letter for Foreigner's Work Permit required for the Z-visa application.
- Apply for the appropriate Z visa through the Chinese visa authority abroad and enter in accordance with the visa issued.
- After entry, obtain the Foreigner's Work Permit through the competent work-permit authority with the employer's involvement.
- Apply for the work-type residence permit at the responsible public-security exit-entry office, submitting the work permit and employer certification required by the NIA service guide. Where the entry visa requires a residence-permit application, the national law sets a 30-day period after entry.
Do not reverse the last two steps: the NIA guide lists the work permit among the supporting documents for a Z-visa holder's work-type residence-permit application. The State Council guide distinguishes short assignments of no more than 90 days from work lasting longer than 90 days; exceptions and alternative routes require case-specific official confirmation.
Before a start date or status change
Ask the employer which work-permit step has been completed, check the purpose and validity on your entry and residence documents, and confirm the local submission requirements with the competent authority. A job offer, work-permit notification, visa, work permit and residence permit are not interchangeable. Do not start work based only on an employer's assurance or an unrelated residence category.
Official references: NIA residence-permit service guide; Exit and Entry Administration Law, Articles 30 and 41–43; State Council working and living guide, work-permit section.