How To Get A Work Visa In China
At GoEast Mandarin we provide an X2 visa for studying in Shanghai, China, as well as HSK exam preparation which can help you with your study or work visa in China.
So move to China and learn to speak Chinese! It’s becoming easier to get work visas in China and we have lovely pandas! We at GoEast Mandarin would love to welcome anyone to come to China.
Further reading:
First step: get a work visa…
Getting a work visa in China
Many don’t know this but Shanghai is an experimental city. Recently (November 2016) has implemented the new “Work Permit” policy that will take effect in the rest of China in April 2017. Previous policies involved picking between getting an “Alien Employment Permit” or a “Foreign Expert Certificate”. The new policy just has one certificate called the “Foreigners Work Permit”.
The Foreigners Work Permit (FWP) is divided into 3 categories:
- Class A: 高端才
(Gāoduān cái: high-end talents) - Class B: 专业才
(Zhuānyè cái: professional talents ) - Class C: 普通员
(Pǔtōng yuán: common staff)
Generally class A workers will have the easiest time getting into China while class C will have the hardest time.
Curious about which level you’re in? Let’s roll!
Qualification requirements for the visa
Anyone who has certain qualifications will be given a certain number of points (the number of points is unfortunately not listed.) Instructions to find out which qualifications are eligible are listed on this website: http://t.cn/RfmvQcS
Salary
The units in the middle column are in 10.000RMB. The last column is the number of points
If you haven’t already obtained a job in China, this is going to be tough for you. However, if you have an employer in China the annual salary you will receive will affect your application. The more you earn, the higher score you will get. The top bracket is 450,000 RMB and receives 20 points. For example, if I earn 150,000 RMB a year, I will have 11 points from this section.
Education requirement for visa
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent: 10 points
- Master’s degree or equivalent: 15 points
- Doctorate degrees or equivalent: 20 points
Relevant Working Experience
If you have at least 2 years of work experience for your position you’ll be able to get 5 points. Each extra year after that will add 1 point. For example, if you have relevant working experience for 5 years, 5 points for the first 2 years and 3 points for the extra 3 years for 8 points in total.
Work Term
How long do you work every year? You get 5 points for your visa in China for every 3 months per year that you work.
Chinese language Level
HSK levels matter! Even an HSK1 test will get you 2 points with a maximum of 10 points for an HSK5 test. You can also earn 10 points if your bachelor’s degree was taught in Chinese.
Work Location
If you’d like to work in the Chinese interior then you’ll earn more points than if you’ll live in coastal regions. You’d also be able to get more points if you live in a lower-income area, or an older industrial region. Any one of these will net you 10 points.
Age
Depending on your age you can get more or less points. The most valuable age range is between 26-45. That age range gets you 15 points!
Alumni Status
If you’re either alumnus from a world-renowned university (determined by the Chinese government) or employed by a global top 500 enterprise you can get 5 points each.
Encouragement Points
You can get up to 10 points if you’re of a talent group that is in demand by the provincial department in charge of managing foreigners.
How many visa points do you get?
Unfortunately, there’s no real scale that guarantees you an A, B, or C level visa for China, but each point that you earn will get you that much closer to your Chinese escape.
An easy and useful way to get points is to earn some HSK levels. If you spend some time to improving your skills with the ancient magic language you’ll be more likely to get a job/visa in China and you’ll be better able to navigate the country as well.
Click here for HSK exam dates.
If you need some help passing your HSK tests we offer Chinese language courses tailor-made to help you pass your HSK tests.
