Visa & Residence Permit
Onboarding Website
WKU Visa Information
Chinese Work Visa (Z) and Residence Permit are required for all employees working at WKU. Ms. Lina Hu from the Office of Human Resources will assist you in gathering the documents required for your Visa application. Once the Office of Human Resources has received your accepted written offer of employment, Lina will contact you to collect the required documents needed for your Visa. This document has been prepared to assist you in the completion of the visa application forms: Instructions
The Following Visa Information Will be Divided into Four Parts：
Visa Process Timeline;
Process for Applying for a Chinese Work Visa (Z) before Entering China;
Process for Applying for Residence Permit after Entering China;
Process for Applying for a Visa for Family Members Who Will Travel and Reside with you
a. Visa Process Timeline
1) A colored scanned copy of all the documents listed below must be submitted via email to Ms. Jiarui Huang (huangjiarui@wku.edu.cn). All submitted documents should be provided with their hard copy when you arrive Wenzhou, China.
2) Once all the requested documents listed below are received, we will process your paperwork and will provide you color copies of the supporting documents which you will need to apply for your Chinese Work Visa via email .
3) Your Chinese Work Visa will be applied based on your location with color print supporting documents emailed to you. It is highly recommended to use the services of a local visa agency.
b. Process for Applying for a Chinese Work Visa (Z)
First Time Applicant for a Chinese Work Visa
If You are Currently Working in China
First Time Applicant (Please email a color, scanned copy of each item listed below):
1) Prepare your English-resume-template (using this format) and scan and email it in color. Please specify the exact name of the Chinese consulate or Embassy you intend to apply for visa in the resume.
2) Provide a colored, scanned copy of your valid whole Passport page (photo and signature page, see below). If you do not have a valid Passport you must use an expedited method to obtain it immediately. PLEASE NOTE: Your Passport must be valid for at least twelve (12) months after your arrival date in China. If it will expire before that date, you must use an expedited method to renew it immediately. You must also have multiple pages available in your Passport for stamping. If you do not have additional pages available, you must obtain a new Passport.
(Template)
3) If you will be applying for the Z visa through a third country rather than the country that your passport is issued, please provide a valid residence permit (over one year) from the third country as well as an entry stamp from the third country at least one year ago in your passport .
4) Please provide a colored, scanned copy of the Verification-Letter-Template. It must be signed by your supervisor and on company letterhead. You must have two-year related teaching experience, which must be a full-time job (the two-year related teaching experience must be shown on the letter, and the time length of the experience can be added up from different employers).
5) Provide a full-face digital photo: photo should be “passport style” in color and with all-white background; neutral facial expression (preferred) or a natural smile, with both eyes open; face must be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. Photo size should be at least 80 kilobytes (no hats, glasses, earrings or hair covering the face).
(Template)
6) Provide a colored, scanned copy of your highest diploma (a copy of the actual paper diploma, NOT your transcripts) and its authenticated documents issued by Chinese Embassy or Consulate. Please be notified that diploma authentication based on personal affidavit is not acceptable. Please find the general instruction for authentication process: Document-authentication-for-use-in-China.
If you have problems in obtaining diploma authentication through Chinese Embassy or Consulate, your diploma can also be authenticated by Chinese Authority. In this way, we provide diploma authentication service for you. Please contact Mr. Wang （Wangy@ciiczj.com ）for diploma authentication.
7) Provide a colored, scanned copy of your non-criminal background check and its authenticated documents issued by Chinese Embassy or Consulate. The non-criminal background check should be valid within 6 months. Please be notified that non-criminal background check authentication based on personal affidavit is not acceptable. Please find the general instruction for authentication process:Document-authentication-for-use-in-China
PLEASE NOTE: You are required to bring ALL ORIGINAL documents you have submitted to Wenzhou. The Local Authority requires to assess all original documents to issue your Work Permit and Residence Permit application.
If You are Currently Working in China:
In addition to the above documents, please provide the following:
1) Certificate which can prove you are no longer working for your previous company or institution, such as Foreigner’s Work Permit Cancellation Letter.
(Template)
2) Copies of your passport page(s) with latest China entry stamps, as well as the page(s) with the Chinese Residence Permit (Chinese Visa).
c. Process for Applying for Residence Permit after Enterting China
What is a Residence Permit?
After you arrive at WKU, you will need transfer your Work Visa into a Residence Permit within one month. The Residence Permit works like a multiple-entry Visa, allowing you to leave the country and return as long as it is valid.
Process for Applying for Residence Permit
1) Bring your Passport to the Training Building, Room A219
2) Undergo a physical exam in local health care center within a month
3) Obtain the Foreigner’s Work Permit (A WKU representative in HR will help you with this step)
4) Visit the local police station (Exit and Entry Bureau) or a mobile Police Station (located on campus specific days) to apply for the Residence Permit. (Please be advised that visiting the mobile Police Station is an option only for employees who will be renewing their current residence permits. Employees who are applying for residence permits for the first time must go to the local police station.)
Please contact Ms. Lina Hu in Human Resources at WKU for more information on applying for your Residence Permit after you arrive in China. The physical exam appointment and police station visit will be coordinated for all faculty and staff by a representative of Human Resources.
d. Process for Applying for a Visa for Family Members Who Will Travel and Reside With You
1)For a Spouse, please provide the following:
- Copy of Passport
- Copy of a marriage certificate and its authentication by a Chinese Embassy
2)For a Child, please provide the following (Please note that adult supervision will be required for all minor children under the age of 18):
- Copy of Passport (s)
- Copy of birth certificate(s) and its authentication by a Chinese Embassy
Here are the steps to authenticate your documents by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate:Document-authentication-for-use-in-China
For US citizens:
Please visit the website for the Chinese Embassy in the United States for additional information: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/
Please visit the US Department of State travel website for additional information: http://www.travel.state.gov. This website offers a wealth of knowledge for international travel.
For Citizens of countries other than the US or China:
Please locate the website for the Consulate or Embassy in your country of citizenship for additional information.
The information above is subject to change based on University policies.
