Work Permit Notification: Get It Before the
How to obtain the work permit notification from the science and technology authority before applying for the Z visa.
No published figure yet. The authority does not publish this cost in a form we could verify and quote, so this guide covers the procedure only: what to bring, in what order, and where it goes wrong. We will add the figures the moment there is a source for them.
In order
- Confirm the classification with your employer — Ask which work permit classification applies to your position and what documents your employer must prove.
- Provide required documents to your employer — Give your employer the qualifications and other materials needed for the notification application.
- Employer submits the application — Your employer files the application with the science and technology authority.
- Receive the work permit notification — Obtain the approved notification from your employer once the authority issues it.
- Apply for the Z visa — Submit the work permit notification along with your visa application at the Chinese embassy or consulate.
- Enter China with the Z visa — Travel to China within the validity of the visa.
- Apply for the residence permit — Go to the local public security bureau after arrival to convert your status to a residence permit.
The work permit notification is a separate document you must obtain before you can apply for the Z visa. It is issued by the science and technology authority, not by the visa office. This guide explains the procedure for one application.
Understand the Two Documents
The work permit notification and the Z visa are two different documents held by two different authorities. The notification is issued by the science and technology authority, while the visa is issued by the Chinese embassy or consulate. You need the notification first. Without it, you cannot apply for the Z visa.
Know the Permit Classification
The work permit notification is classified into categories. The classification determines what your employer must prove to obtain it. Your employer will need to provide different supporting documents depending on the classification. Confirm with your employer which classification applies to your role.
Employer Applies for the Notification
Your employer initiates the application with the local science and technology authority. You do not apply for this document yourself. The employer submits the required proof based on the classification. This may include your qualifications, work experience, and other documents.
Receive and Use the Notification
Once approved, the employer receives the work permit notification and gives it to you. You use this notification to apply for the Z visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country. The visa office will not issue the visa without it.
After Arrival: Convert to Residence Permit
After you arrive in China with the Z visa, the work permit notification becomes the basis for a residence permit. You must apply for the residence permit with the local public security bureau within the time allowed after arrival. The residence permit allows you to stay and work legally.
Confirm before you act
Fees and processing times change. This page was checked on 2026-10-29; confirm the current rule with the authority named in each source above before you rely on a deadline.
Last checked 2026-10-29, next review 2027-04-27. Every figure above names its source and the date it was read. This page is a guide, not legal, tax or immigration advice — confirm with the authority before acting on a deadline.