Eligibility
 Only allowed in certain cities e.g. Beijing Shanghai Guangzhou Shenzhen.
 Not permitted for passport holders from some sensitive countries.
Prerequisites
 Valid M visa with clean entry record.
 Employer has secured the Foreigner’s Work Permit Notice and after arrival the Foreigner’s Work Permit.
Required Documents
 Passport valid  6 months
 Foreigner’s Work Permit Notice  Work Permit
 Employment contract
 Company business license  tax registration
 Health certificate and if required noncriminalrecord certificate
Application
 Submit the above to the local Exit  Entry Administration Bureau.
 Receive a worktype residence permit no need to leave China if the city allows.
Key Point
 Check with your employer and the local bureau some cities still require an exitandreentry with a new Z visa.
Do I have to leave China to apply for the Z visa
Exit China
Apply for the Z visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country or a third country
Reenter China
 with the Z visa
Convert it to a residence permit
 within 30 days of arrival
Only a few cities e.g. Shanghai Beijing allow 
rare exceptions
 for direct conversion without exit but this is 
not the norm
 and depends on nationality and local policy.
Can I apply for a Z visa in a third country
Yes 
you can apply for a Chinese Z work visa in a third country
 
but only if
The Chinese embassy or consulate in that country accepts applications from nonresidents
 and
You can prove legal status in the third country
  typically by holding a 
residence permit longterm visa or proof of legal stay
 for more than 36 months
.
 Important Notes
Not all embassies accept thirdcountry applications.
 Some strictly require you to apply in your 
home country or country of habitual residence.
Hong Kong and Macau
 are treated as third regions. Some nationalities 
can
 apply there but 
many are now restricted
 unless they are legal residents.
Processing time
 may be longer and 
rush or express services
 may not be available.
 Recommendation
Contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the third country directly
 before traveling there to confirm
Whether they accept Z visa applications from nonresidents
What proof of legal stay is required
Whether appointments or additional documents are needed
Can I apply for a China Z work visa in Hong Kong or Macau
 
Hong Kong
Yes you can apply
 for a Z visa
 
but only if you are holding a Hong Kong ID work visa student visa or other longterm stay status.
Tourists or shortterm visitors
 are 
generally not accepted
 for Z visa applications in Hong Kong. The center now uses an 
online prereview system
 and walkins without prior approval are not allowed .
 
Macau
Does not accept Z visa applications directly in Macau.
 
 
 
Summary
Location
Can Apply for Z Visa
Notes
Hong Kong
 Yes
Must be a legal resident or hold longterm visa
Macau
 No
Steps to apply for a China Z work visa in Hong Kong
Updated July 2025  based on the latest CVASCHong Kong procedure
1. 
Before you start  confirm eligibility
You must be a 
legal resident of Hong Kong
 HKID work visa student visa or other longterm stay endorsement.
Tourist or shortterm visitors
 are 
not accepted
 for Zvisa applications in Hong Kong.
2. 
Prepare the documents
Item
Details
Valid passport
 6 months validity and blank visa pages
Foreigner’s Work Permit Notice
Original issued by the PRC Ministry of Human Resources  Social Security your employer obtains this
Hong Kong residence proof
HKID card or longterm visa label
One colour photo
48 mm  33 mm white background taken within 6 months
Additional documents
CV authenticated degree policeclearance certificate medical exam only if the embassy specifically requests
3. 
Complete the online application
Go to https//www.visaforchina.cn/HKG3_EN
Select “Z visa  Work” and fill in the form.
Upload all required scans.
Submit and wait for the 
online prereview
 result .
4. 
Track the status
Log in to the same portal and click “Track My Application”.
When the status shows 
“online review completed”
 and you receive an email confirmation proceed to the next step .
5. 
Book an appointment  visit the Visa Application Centre
Location
 20/F Capital Centre 151 Gloucester Road Wan Chai
Hours
 MonFri 09001500 except public holidays
Bring
 Original passport
 Printed “Visa Application Certificate” from step 3
 Photo glued to the form
 All originals/copies of supporting documents requested in the confirmation email
Biometrics
 Tenfingerprints collected on site unless exempt  under 14 or over 70 years old .
6. 
Pay the fee  wait
Fee HKD 11001400 singleentry Z visa 2025 rates.
Standard processing 
4 working days
 express 12 days for an extra fee.
7. 
Collect passport
Bring the pickup slip and original HKID.
If someone else collects it provide an authorization letter plus copies of both IDs.
8. 
After you return to the living city
Within 30 days convert the Z visa into a 
Worktype Residence Permit
 at the local ExitEntry Bureau using the Work Permit card issued by your employer. 
Quick checklist
 Work Permit Notice in hand
 Legal HK resident status
 Online form submitted  preapproved
 Appointment booked at CVASCHong Kong
 Passport photo residence proof ready
Follow these steps and you can obtain your 
Z visa in Hong Kong without leaving the region

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