Staying long-term: work status
Work permit, Z visa, and residence permit
Work status in China is built from three parts: a work permit, visa Z and residence permit. Each depends on the previous one, and the order must not be violated. A separate conversation applies if you are already in China visa-free — in that case, first exit and the consulate, and we map out the route so that the trip is one, not three.
Who it suits. For those called by a Chinese employer. For those already working and wants to legalize their stay. And for those who arrived visa-free and got stuck between “already found a job” and “no status yet”.
What is included
- We calculate your path from the visa date, not the arrival date: converting visa-free 30 days into a status do not convert; residence permits are issued only to those who entered on Z, X1, Q1 or S1 — and this visa is obtained abroad, before departure
- We verify the employer and invitation letter before submission: from 15 September 2026 the inviting party is responsible for the accuracy of the information, and false details the application results in an entry ban of 1–5 years
- We verify the employer: right to hire foreign nationals, track record, readiness to manage the process
- We calculate your points under the A/B/C system and tell you which category you fall into
- Diploma and criminal record certificate legalization, judicial and notarial translations
- We prepare the case and see it through to a work permit, Z visa, and residence permit
- If you are already in China — we will map out a route for leaving and re-entering in a single trip.
- Government fees: residence permit 400 ¥ for up to one year and 800 ¥ for one to three years; the medical exam costs ¥480–500 and is paid directly to the authority and are not included in the fee
What the package does not include
Paid separately and directly, with no markup from us.
- Application to the exit-entry bureau and to the work permit authority: from 15 September 2026, this is handled by an intermediary from the state registry; a foreign company is not permitted to handle such matters in China — we prepare the case and find such a contractor, and he is the one who signs the application
- Russian consular legalisation of documents: approximately 8,540 ₽ and 19 business days FOR EACH document, and both the diploma and the criminal record check are required
- Finding an employer: we review and handle the paperwork, but we do not search for vacancies
- Fees: out-of-pocket costs per person — approx. 3,200 ¥ when applying from abroad and approx. 2,040 ¥ if you are already in China
- Employer social contributions per employee: around ¥2,000 per month
Russian nationals enter China visa-free for 30 days — from 15 September 2025, and the scheme has been extended through December 31, 2027. Entry is free, and that is precisely why people lose money here. The residence permit is a Chinese-style visa for residence — issued only to those who entered on a Z, X1, Q1, or S1 visa, and such a visa is obtained at a consulate abroad. Flying in ’scout things out and sort the paperwork on arrival’ won’t work: you’ll need to leave, to reapply and return. As for timelines, even Chinese agents themselves obtaining work status from abroad takes over three months procedures plus two months for documents and legalisation. We consider this calendar before you buy the first ticket, and we plan the route so that so that the trip is one, not three.
Since 15 September 2025, Russian citizens enter China without a visa for 30 days, and on 20 May 2026 China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended this regime until 31 December 2027. Entry to the country is free — and that’s exactly why people lose money here. Visa-free entry cannot be converted into status from within the country: a permit for residence — issued only to those who entered on a Z, X1, Q1, or S1 visa, and such a visa is obtained abroad. Flying in ’to take a look’ and applying on the spot will not work: you will need to leave, obtain a visa at a consulate and return. According to the contractor’s own timeline, obtaining work status from abroad — that is over three months of procedures plus two months for documents.
State Council of the PRC Regulation No. 841 comes into force on September 15, 2026. It introduces the first nationwide registry of immigration advisers, requires compliance and qualified staff from them, and directly prohibits foreign companies from providing such services on the territory China. For false information on an application — a fine of 5,000–10,000 ¥ per person, 10,000–50,000 ¥ for the organisation and a one-to-five-year entry ban; previously this was simply a refusal. The inviting party is now liable for the authenticity of the invitation. That’s why we divide the work honestly: analysis, documents, translations, the folder and support are all ours; the application is filed by executor from the register, and you know their name from day one. Provincial regulations have not yet been issued — we are clarifying the procedure o the moment of your application, not promised in advance.
About the “free work visa.” It usually turns out to be free only within an annual accounting support subscription — meaning for it pay anyway, just under a different line item. Ask what the fee is tied to. what ’free’ really means and what it costs per year — we name our price upfront and in full.
The exact amount for your situation is stated before we begin and confirmed in writing in the agreement. If it changes, you will be informed before payment, not after.
We verify the employer and invitation, calculate points, legalise the diploma and criminal record certificate, compile and translate the full package.
Preparation plus end-to-end support: work permit, Z visa, residence permit — through a registered provider.
Prices are in Chinese yuan and are all-inclusive — nothing is added on top. The dollar figure in brackets is for reference, based on a rate of $1 = ¥6.72. Chinese government fees are paid separately and directly: residence permit 400 ¥ for up to one year and 800 ¥ for one to three years, medical examination 480–500 ¥, permanent residence application 1,500 ¥. Russian consular legalisation costs approximately 8,540 ₽ per document. SVOY initial consultation — 600 ¥ ($89), credited in the cost of support. It is charged from the first minute: Chinese agencies offer a free call, but a free call is simply tory about services — and for that fee we analyse your situation and provide an itinerary with a calendar and budget.
Other points
Housing rental and purchase, documents, bank accounts and taxes, schooling, driving licence — 33 services in China, each has its own price.
Package «Staying long-term» · China
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The same package in another country
There is only one moment in life, but the documents, deadlines and costs are unique to each case: the rules are set by the country.