CPG
Visas & Employment

Work Permit vs Residence Permit

Two separate documents that foreigners often confuse - but you need BOTH to live and work in China legally. Here's the relationship, a step-by-step flow, and the common traps.

📋 Work Permit

Authorizes you to work in China. Issued by SAFEA. It's the prerequisite for the Z visa. Tied to your specific employer and job - change jobs, change permit.

🟢 Residence Permit

Authorizes you to reside in China (1-5 years). Issued by the Exit-Entry Administration. Placed in your passport. Allows multiple entries and stays beyond the Z visa's 30 days.

The Process: Offer to Residence Permit

1
📝

Job Offer

Chinese employer secures a position and agrees to sponsor your work permit.

2
📋

Work Permit Notification

Employer applies to SAFEA (State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs). You receive a Work Permit Notification Letter.

3
🛂

Z Visa Application

Apply for a Z (work) visa at a Chinese embassy/consulate using the Work Permit Notification. Single-entry, valid 30 days ("000 days").

4
✈️

Enter China

Enter China on the Z visa. You have 30 days to convert it to a Residence Permit.

5
🟢

Residence Permit

Within 30 days, apply at the local Exit-Entry Administration for a Residence Permit (1-5 years). Now you can live, work, and exit/re-enter freely.

Key Differences

Aspect 📋 Work Permit 🟢 Residence Permit
What it is Authorization to WORK in China Authorization to RESIDE in China
Issued by SAFEA / local Foreign Experts Bureau Exit-Entry Administration (Public Security Bureau)
Document form A card (physical or digital) A sticker/stamp in your passport
Needed for Legal employment - the Z visa prerequisite Legal residence, multiple entry/exit, stays >30 days
Validity Tied to employment (1-5 years) 1-5 years (renewable)
You need Yes - to work legally Yes - to stay beyond the Z visa 30 days

Common Traps

The "000 days" Z visa trap
A Z visa is single-entry and shows "000 days" validity. This does NOT mean 0 days - it means you must convert to a Residence Permit within 30 days of entry. You cannot work or stay long-term on a Z visa alone.
Thinking the Work Permit lets you stay
The Work Permit authorizes employment but does NOT control your legal stay. The Residence Permit controls how long you can be in China. You need BOTH.
Changing jobs
Changing employers requires a NEW Work Permit (the old employer must release you with a release letter). Your existing Residence Permit may need updating. Do NOT start the new job until the new Work Permit is issued.
Leaving China without the Residence Permit
If you exit China on a single-entry Z visa (before getting the Residence Permit), you cannot re-enter. Get the Residence Permit first - it allows multiple entries.

Need the right visa?

Use our visa selector to find the right entry visa, then follow the flow above.

Visa Selector Tool Z Visa Guide