Work permit in China: the 2 ways to obtain it
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There are two ways to obtain a work permit in China: be hired by a company that applies for you, or create your own company and apply yourself. The required documents differ, and this is often the deciding factor in choosing the best path.
The difference is simple. With an employer, you don't need to provide your diploma or apostilled criminal record. With your own company, both are required—with one important exception regarding the diploma, which I'll detail below: there is a workaround based on salary level.
Here's how it works in practice, with the actual deadlines for 2026 — which have nothing to do with those of a few years ago.
Option 1: Go through an employer
If you are hired, your employer will prepare and submit the application. This is the least paperwork-intensive option.
Normally, it's the employer who pays. That's the rule, and a serious employer doesn't argue about it.
But some will ask you to pay. Their calculation is cynical and you need to understand it: they know that the permit is your only way to stay in China, because you can't open a business or because you don't have the required degree. They take advantage of this situation.
If an employer asks you to finance your own work permit, consider it a sign of how they will treat you afterward. At a minimum, negotiate a repayment plan in the contract.
The 3-month validity trap
A critical point for nationals of countries that require a visa to enter China: Your visa must have at least 3 months of validity remaining. at the time of the request.
Below this threshold, you will have to leave the country to submit your application from abroad. This means a flight, an additional delay, and sometimes restarting the entire process.
Check this duration Before to start anything. This is the most common and most costly mistake in the entire process.
What you need to know about the employer-license relationship
Your driver's license is linked to your employer. If you leave the company, it is not automatically transferred: you must either go through a transfer procedure to your new employer or cancel your license and submit a new application. Plan for this step before you resign, not after.
Option 2: through your own company
This is the path I took, and the one that makes you independent of an employer.
It assumes you have already set up your business. If you haven't done so yet, start here: [Internal link → "Opening a business in China: the step-by-step guide"]
Once your business license With that in hand, you can submit the work permit application.
Pay attention to the license duration. It is only valid for one year. You must therefore renew the business every year, otherwise your work permit will expire with it. These are two separate renewals that must be completed simultaneously.
The two documents that are blocking everything
Two documents are required for this process. Without them, the application will be rejected.
An apostilled diploma. And not just any degree. You need a degree of a sufficient level and consistent with your business—a master's degree in business, for example, for a consulting or trading company. A degree unrelated to your company's scope of activity is problematic.
A clean criminal record, also apostilled. The document has a limited validity period, usually a few months: do not request it too early.
The apostille: the first step to take
This is the point that everyone underestimates. The postscript is made in your country of originNot in China. If you are already there, you will need a power of attorney and someone you trust to do it for you, or go back through France.
Since China joined the Hague Convention, the apostille has replaced the former consular legalization for member countries, which has considerably simplified the procedure. [TO VERIFY: confirm that your country is a party to the convention]
Start this process even before to create your company. While the administration processes your license, your documents circulate within France. You save several weeks.
No diploma? There is a workaround.
This is the information that is missing from almost all French articles, and it unlocks many situations.
China allows foreigners without degrees to obtain a work permit by the level of remunerationThe principle: if you cannot provide proof of a diploma, you can justify a salary significantly higher than the market standard for your position.
In practical terms, you need to pay 3 to 4 times the reference salary of the position. If a manager in your sector is paid 10,000 yuan per month, you should pay yourself 30,000 to 40,000 yuan — and especially pay the corresponding contributions and taxes for 3 months.
You then submit your file along with your three payslips, and your agent makes the request on this basis.
Three points not to be missed:
- The real cost isn't the salary itself, since you pay it to yourself. It's taxation on these amounts for three monthsCalculate it before you start: Chinese income tax is progressive and rises quickly to these levels.
- A clean criminal record certificate with an apostille remains mandatory. This pathway replaces the diploma requirement, not the rest of the application.
- Plan your cash flow. Three months of high salary actually going through the company's accounts requires available funds and clean accounting from the first month of operation.
[TO BE VERIFIED: The multiplier is normally indexed to the average salary in the city of registration, not the average salary in the position. In Guangzhou, this significantly changes the calculation — have your agent confirm the target amount before starting payments.]
The actual delays, and they've exploded
Once the complete file has been submitted with your agent, expect approximately 2 months to get an answer.
It used to be much faster. Delivery times have increased considerably, and you now need to factor that into your planning. Don't make any business commitments in China based on the old timelines.
The medical examination
Final step before obtaining it: a medical examination in a state-approved hospitalYour agent will give you the address — you cannot choose just any hospital, only authorized centers are accepted.
Some practical tips:
- Please come on an empty stomach; the examination includes a blood test.
- Bring your passport and several recent passport photos
- Allow half a day; it's a route with successive checkpoints.
- The certificate has a limited validity period: do not apply too far in advance.
And there you have it, you get your work permit.
How long does a driving licence last?
The durations granted by the government are generally of 6 to 12 monthsSometimes 24 months, but that's become very rare. Before, yes. Not anymore.
At each renewal date, you must renew—every year or every six months, depending on your agreement. The renewal application requires:
- The company's lease is up to date
- A new medical visit
- The renewed business license
- The company's tax and accounting documents
Good news: the renewal costs significantly less than the initial application. The majority of the cost is concentrated on the first case.
Set a reminder in your calendar three months before The expiration date. With two months of treatment, waiting until the last minute puts you in an irregular situation.
What agents won't tell you about their rates
Let's be clear: Some agents charge more depending on the applicant's nationality.
African nationals are particularly affected. The reasoning of the agents is the same as that of unscrupulous employers: they know that these entrepreneurs have a successful business, that they need a long-term visa, and that they have no alternative.
This is neither normal nor justified by any additional administrative complexity. The case is the same.
How to protect yourself:
- Ask systematically several detailed quotes, position by position
- Get a quote from an acquaintance of a different nationality and compare.
- Demand a detailed breakdown between government fees (fixed, the same for everyone) and the agent's fees.
- Beware of any vague justification such as "your case is more complicated".
I work with an agent who charges the same rates for everyone, and that's the main reason why I recommend her. You get a 10% discount if you mention my name. Her WeChat: [QR code / ID to insert].
And what about the family?
If you are moving in with your children, be aware that the process is free for themFamily members of a work permit holder obtain a residence permit linked to yours.
Settling a family raises other questions—finding a school, an apartment, managing schooling in English or Chinese. This is the subject of another guide: [Internal link → “Settling in China: School, Housing, Daily Life”]
Work permit or residence permit? Don't confuse them.
Two different documents that many people confuse:
| Work permit | Residence permit | |
|---|---|---|
| What he allows | To engage in a professional activity | Stay within the territory |
| Issued by | Authority in charge of foreign affairs | Immigration office / police |
| Order | Obtained first | Then requested, based on the permit |
A work permit alone does not authorize you to stay. The residence permit application must be submitted within days of obtaining the work permit. Your agent will normally process both applications, but double-check: this is when some cases get delayed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to obtain a work permit in China without a degree? Yes, there are two ways. Either through an employer: when a company submits the application on your behalf, the diploma and apostilled criminal record are not required. Or through your own company, by demonstrating a salary of 3 to 4 times the market average paid for three months, with taxes paid and supporting payslips. In this second case, the apostilled criminal record remains mandatory.
How much salary do you need to earn to get a driver's license without a degree? Between three and four times the reference salary for the position, for three consecutive months, with taxes and social security contributions paid. If a director's reference salary is 10,000 yuan, expect a monthly salary of 30,000 to 40,000 yuan. Have your agent confirm the target amount; the calculation method depends on the city of registration.
How long does it take to obtain a work permit in China? On average, it takes about two months after submitting a complete application. Processing times have increased significantly in recent years, so it's essential to plan ahead. In addition, you'll need to allow time to obtain apostilles in your country of origin.
How long does a Chinese work permit last? Generally 6 to 12 months. 24-month permits exist but are now rare. Renewal is required at each expiry date, along with the company lease, a new medical examination, and a current business license.
Does renewal cost as much as the initial application? No, it's significantly cheaper. Most of the cost is for the initial application. However, you should still factor in the medical examination and the annual renewal of your business license, which are recurring expenses.
Should you get your diploma apostilled before or after creating your company? Beforehand, if possible. The apostille is processed in your country of origin and takes time. Submitting it while your company is still being registered saves you several weeks on the overall timeline.
Can my children come with me to China? Yes, and the process is free for them. They obtain a residence permit linked to your work permit. Then there are the practical questions of schooling and housing.
Are you hesitating between an employee position and starting your own business to obtain your license? We're based in Guangzhou and we've been through it ourselves. For honest advice on what's best for your situation, contact us on WhatsApp at [phone number/email address]. +33 7 55 97 34 49.