Guide to Work: China

China holds the world’s second largest economy, and is particularly enticing for graduates looking to work in digital fields such as AI and machine learning. There are more highly-skilled jobs being created in the country all the time, developing China’s business and technology hubs.

Working in China gives the great chance to experience a completely different culture to those overseas. There is a relatively low cost of living across China, however life in major cities can be much more expensive.

It is advisable to learn some Mandarin before making the move, as knowing their primary language will boost your chances of success when looking for work. Having some knowledge of Mandarin can go a long way. Find out more about working in China at PROSPECTS.

Working visa requirements

To be eligible to enter mainland China for either work or leisure purposes, you’ll require a visa. You’ll also need to ensure that your passport has an expiry date that’s at least six months after the date you’ll arrive in the country, plus two blank pages for visas and stamping.

It’s illegal to work if you’re in China on a study visa (F visa) or tourist visa (L visa), so if you find employment during this time, you’ll need to change visa type. Be aware that the nature of the work will affect the type of visa you need to apply for!

Working visa:

To work in China, you’ll need a Z visa and an official invitation to the country by an employer. After graduating you can apply for a Z visa (also known as a work visa) at your local Chinese embassy or by visiting the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre. This requires a minimum of two years of work experience. In some cases, there are exceptions, such as ​​teaching in China, which recruits English teachers across 12 programs per month. 

If you apply for a Z visa and are staying longer than 6 months, you need to apply for a resident’s permit. To acquire a work visa or residence permit, you may need to prove that you haven’t got a criminal record.

Visaforchina:

Offers instructions on the process your visa application. Please read the instructions, processes, and requirements.  

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United Kingdom:

For more information on applying for visas and the different requirements.

Foreign Commonwealth office (UK):

Highlights the most common types of travel and reflects the UK government’s understanding of rules currently in place. This information is for travellers using a full ‘British Citizen’ passport. If you are unclear about any aspect of the entry requirements for China, or you need further assistance, you need to contact the Chinese Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Job searching links

There are many ways to secure work in China, but one of the easiest for international job searchers is through transfer from another international company. Job boards and recruitment agencies are also popular with employers. However, as in many countries, not all vacancies are formally advertised. Networking is extremely important and any personal contacts could be very useful during your job hunt.

Useful contacts:
Recruitment Agencies:
  • Talents Spot Group– Luxury Fashion & Retail, PR, Marketing, HR, Branding  
  • Intachina– Teaching jobs in China  
  • Hudson – Sales, Marketing, Commercial, Risk Management  
  • Michael Page – Retail, Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Hospitality  
  • Marketing To China – Media, Social Media, Advertising, Branding, Media Buying  
Job boards and networking sites:
International Brands with Franchisee Companies: