How to Move to China
China's main routes are the Z visa (work, tied to an employer-obtained Work Permit Notice), the X visa (study, X1 for 180+ days, X2 for shorter courses), and the Q/S family visas (Q for relatives of Chinese citizens/permanent residents, S for relatives of foreign workers/students in China). All require the sponsoring party in China (employer, school or relative) to obtain approval first — you cannot self-initiate any of these visas.
How to use this guide
Pick the visa type below that matches your plan (work, study, etc.).
Tap it to open and read the simple steps and the papers you need.
Apply yourself on the official website. It's free — no agent needed.
Stay safe: never pay anyone who promises a "guaranteed" visa. Real applications are made on official government sites. Rules can change, so always double-check on the official website before you apply.
China embassies in Africa — addresses & directions
China has embassies in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, plus a network of Visa Application Service Centres (CVASC) — e.g. Lagos, Abuja, Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town — that handle the actual visa processing.
Tap “Open in Google Maps” to see the exact location, get directions, and confirm the current address & opening hours.
Churchgate Plaza, Plot 473, Cadastral Zone A0, Constitution Avenue, Central Business District, Abuja
Open in Google Maps225 Athlone Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0083
+27 12 431 6537 Open in Google MapsDon’t see your country? China has more missions across Africa — find the nearest one on the official locator.
Work Permit Notice + Z visa: several weeks; residence permit conversion within 30 days of arrival.
Visa fee varies by nationality (roughly $23–$140); residence permit fee added after arrival.
Z visa: single entry, 30 days to convert. Residence permit: 90 days to 5 years, tied to your contract.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- A job offer from a licensed Chinese employer authorised to hire foreigners.
- A bachelor's degree or higher and at least 2 years of relevant experience (standard route).
- Age 18–60.
- A Foreigner's Work Permit Notice obtained by your employer.
What to do, step by step
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1
Get a job offer
Secure an offer from a licensed Chinese employer willing to sponsor you.
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2
Employer obtains the Work Permit Notice
Your employer applies to China's labour authorities for your Foreigner's Work Permit Notice.
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3
Apply for the Z visa
With the Work Permit Notice, apply online via visaforchina.cn, then attend the visa centre for biometrics and passport submission.
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4
Travel to China
Enter China — the Z visa gives you 30 days to convert to a residence permit.
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5
Convert to a residence permit
Within 30 days of arrival, register at the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) to receive your work residence permit.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- A genuine Chinese employer secures your Work Permit Notice — you should never be asked to pay for this step.
- You must convert your Z visa to a residence permit within 30 days of arrival — missing this deadline creates legal problems.
Who submits this application
You don't fill this form yourself — your employer does.
For this visa, there is no public application a candidate can submit alone. Your employer files everything through their own official portal once you have an offer or a confirmed sponsor. A genuine employer never asks you to pay for this step.
See the official portal your employer uses
Since 2025, most Chinese visa applications (including in Lagos and Johannesburg) are submitted online through visaforchina.cn — you fill in the form and upload documents, then attend the visa centre in person only for biometrics, passport submission and fee payment.
View official portalStandard 4–7 business days at the visa centre once documents are ready.
Visa fee varies by nationality (roughly $30–$140).
X1: for courses 180+ days, must convert to a residence permit within 30 days of arrival. X2: for courses under 180 days, no conversion needed.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Admission letter (JW201 for government-funded, JW202 for self-sponsored) from an accredited Chinese institution.
- Valid passport with 6+ months validity and a blank page.
- Health/medical clearance for longer stays.
What to do, step by step
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1
Get admitted
Apply directly to a Chinese institution accredited to host international students.
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2
Receive your JW201/JW202 and admission letter
The institution issues your enrolment documents.
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3
Apply for the X visa
Submit your application via visaforchina.cn and attend the visa centre with your documents.
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4
Travel & register (X1 only)
If on an X1, convert to a residence permit at the local Entry-Exit Administration Bureau within 30 days of arrival.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- China offers substantial scholarships for African students (CSC, Confucius Institute, university-specific) — apply well before your intended start date.
- Confirm whether you need the X1 (long course) or X2 (short course) — using the wrong one can cause problems at the border.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) account first
Since 2025, most Chinese visa applications (including in Lagos and Johannesburg) are submitted online through visaforchina.cn — you fill in the form and upload documents, then attend the visa centre in person only for biometrics, passport submission and fee payment.
Create accountStart your X1/X2 student visa application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationSimilar to standard visa processing, several business days once documents are ready.
Visa fee roughly ¥400 equivalent (varies by nationality) + residence permit fee after arrival.
Q1: single entry, convert to residence permit after arrival. Q2: visits under 180 days, no conversion.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- You are the spouse, parent, child or close relative of a Chinese citizen or foreign permanent resident.
- Original documents proving the family relationship.
- Q1 for stays over 180 days; Q2 for shorter visits.
What to do, step by step
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1
Confirm your relationship category
Q1/Q2 is for relatives of Chinese citizens/permanent residents (use S1/S2 instead if joining a foreign worker/student).
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2
Gather relationship proof
Collect original marriage/birth certificates proving the family relationship.
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3
Apply via visaforchina.cn
Complete the online form and attend the visa centre with your documents.
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4
Travel & convert (Q1 only)
If on a Q1, register at the local Public Security Bureau to convert to a residence permit.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- If your family member is a foreign worker or student in China (not a Chinese citizen/permanent resident), you need an S visa instead of Q.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) account first
Since 2025, most Chinese visa applications (including in Lagos and Johannesburg) are submitted online through visaforchina.cn — you fill in the form and upload documents, then attend the visa centre in person only for biometrics, passport submission and fee payment.
Create accountStart your Q1/Q2 family visa application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationMost China work visas need a job offer first
Browse visa-sponsored and remote jobs open to Africans, then build a CV tailored to China — both completely free.
Explore other destinations
Questions about China visas
How much does the China Z visa (work) cost?
The China Z visa (work) costs: Visa fee varies by nationality (roughly $23–$140); residence permit fee added after arrival. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the China Z visa (work) take?
Processing for the China Z visa (work) takes work Permit Notice + Z visa: several weeks; residence permit conversion within 30 days of arrival. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the China Z visa (work) valid for?
The China Z visa (work) is valid for z visa: single entry, 30 days to convert. Residence permit: 90 days to 5 years, tied to your contract. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
How much does the China X1/X2 student visa cost?
The China X1/X2 student visa costs: Visa fee varies by nationality (roughly $30–$140). These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the China X1/X2 student visa take?
Processing for the China X1/X2 student visa takes standard 4–7 business days at the visa centre once documents are ready. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the China X1/X2 student visa valid for?
The China X1/X2 student visa is valid for x1: for courses 180+ days, must convert to a residence permit within 30 days of arrival. X2: for courses under 180 days, no conversion needed. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
How much does the China Q1/Q2 family visa cost?
The China Q1/Q2 family visa costs: Visa fee roughly ¥400 equivalent (varies by nationality) + residence permit fee after arrival. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the China Q1/Q2 family visa take?
Processing for the China Q1/Q2 family visa takes similar to standard visa processing, several business days once documents are ready. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the China Q1/Q2 family visa valid for?
The China Q1/Q2 family visa is valid for q1: single entry, convert to residence permit after arrival. Q2: visits under 180 days, no conversion. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
Fees and processing times last checked against official government sources on 1 June 2026. Always confirm on the official portal before paying anything.