Embark Recruiting and TLD China

Embark Recruiting and TLD China

Company Type
School/Education
Location
China

Teaching Visa for China (Z Visa)

 

 

To obtain a Z visa for China, there are three main stages: preparing your documents, applying for the work permit, and then applying for the visa itself. The full process takes around 4-7 weeks depending on your documents. 


Overview of the process:


Step 1: Collect Documents for the Work Permit
Estimated processing time: 15–30 working days

 

No. Item Suggested Deadline Responsible Person
1 Passport Information Page Within 1 week Foreign Teacher
2 Headshot Photo Within 1 week Foreign Teacher
3 Foreign Teacher Information Form Within 1 week Foreign Teacher
4 Original Degree Certificate Within 1 week Foreign Teacher
5 Health Statement, Authorization Letter, and Reference Letter Within 1 week Foreign Teacher
6 Original Police Check Within 3 weeks Foreign Teacher
7 TEFL Certificate Within 3 weeks Foreign Teacher
8 Notarization and Apostille of Degree Certificate, Police Check, and TEFL Certificate Within 3 weeks Foreign Teacher

(see below for more details)

 

 

Step 2: Apply for the Work Permit
Estimated processing time: 10–15 working days

Once you have sent all required documents, we will process your work permit application in China. The work permit is usually issued within 10–15 working days.

 

 

Step 3: Apply for the Z Visa
Estimated processing time: 3–5 working days

After your work permit has been approved, we will email you an electronic copy. Please print this document in color and bring it, along with your passport, to the Chinese embassy or consulate to apply for your Z visa.

Important Reminder

Please bring all original documents with you when you travel to China. Also, keep all receipts and invoices related to document preparation and visa processing, as these may be required for future reimbursement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

More details on the documents you need to prepare

(continued from step 1 above)
 

1. Passport

• Original passport with at least a year of remaining validity at the time of visa application and with at least three blank visa pages
• No damage (no stains, blotches, smudges, blots and etc.)
• No pages missing
• If you have a new passport, please keep your previous one and bring it with you

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Medical Report

Most of the cities can accept the Health Statement. For the work Permit, please make sure the signature is same as the one shown on your passport.

While if you are asked to do the physical report, the following tips can be the guidance:
• The Physical Examination Report is valid for 6 months from the date issued.
• The standard health examination form will be provided by the TLD recruitment team.
• The form provided by the TLD team must be stamped and signed by the doctor.
• Please make sure your doctor's stamp over your headshot photo and the form paper.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Passport-Style Photos

Photo Requirements Your visa application photo must meet certain criteria regarding size and content. Submitting photos that do not meet these criteria can delay the visa application process.

Digital photos must have been taken within the last six months, and must meet the guidelines shown in the image:
• Head Size Your head height, measured from the top of your head, including the hair, to the bottom of your chin, must be between 50% and 70% of the photo's total height.
• Your eye height, measured from the bottom of the photo to the level of your eyes, should be between 55% and 70% - or roughly 2/3 - of the photo's height.

Photo Dimensions: Your photo must be oblong-shaped, the minimum dimensions for your photo are 600 pixels x 600 pixels (height x width). The maximum dimensions are 1200 pixels x 1200 pixels (height x width).

 



4. Foreign Teacher Information Form

• Submit in Doc format. NO printed, handwritten, or PDF versions.
• List educational background starting from high school, with specific dates (year and month).
• List work experience starting from graduation, with specific dates (year and month), without any gaps. If no work experience, please write "unemployed."
• Please carefully confirm the embassy you will be visiting for visa application.



 


5. Reference letters

• The reference letters must include the employer's company logo, contact information, the recommended person's position, and the start and end dates of their employment. If no reference letter is available, please provide the employer's contact information.


 

6. Scanned Copy of the Original Degree Certificate (Color)

• It must be a clear colored scan of the original degree certificate.
• Ensure that the name on the degree certificate matches the full name on the passport exactly, including any middle names (if applicable).

If the certificate does not include the full name, there are two solutions:
a) Contact the university to request a reissued certificate that includes the full name.
b) During the notarization process, ask the notary or lawyer to provide an additional explanatory statement confirming that both names belong to the same person.
Example of an American Degree Certifcate:




 

7. Original TEFL Certificate and Colored Scanned Copy of the TEFL Transcript

• It must be a clear colored scan of the original documents.
• The TEFL transcript must include a detailed schedule and grades for the 120-hour course. If this information is missing, contact the TEFL institution to obtain the necessary documentation.
• Ensure that the name on the TEFL certificate matches the full name on the passport exactly, including any middle names (if applicable).

If the certificate does not include the full name, there are two solutions:
a) Contact the TEFL institution to request a reissued certificate that includes the full name.
b) During the notarization process, ask the notary or lawyer to provide an additional explanatory statement confirming that both names belong to the same person.
 



 

8. Criminal Background Check

Please apply for your background check within 6 month of applying for your teaching visa.

 

Note that apostilles and Criminal Background Checks expire after 6 months of issuance. 
 

 

Example of a FBI Criminal Check:







 


Example of a British (DBS) Criminal Check:

 

 

 

 

 

  • Ireland

    • Police certificate issued by your local police department

    • The signature on the certificate must be handwritten.

 

 




 

 

9. Legalization procedure by country:

For your documents to be accepted for a China Z Visa, they generally must first be notarized (or otherwise verified), then legalized with a Hague Apostille or equivalent authentication from the appropriate government office in the country where the document was issued.
 

Example of a US apostille:







 



Examples of a notary and an apostille stamp on a Irish Garda Criminal Check:






 

 

Example of an Australian Police Certificate:

 





 


Example of a South African Degree:

  • United States

    1. Notarization: Make copies of your documents and have the copies notarized by a notary public in the state where the document was issued.

    2. Hague Apostille: Send the notarized copies to the Secretary of State for that state to receive an apostille.

 

 

  • United Kingdom

    1. Notarization: Make copies of the original documents and have them notarized by a local notary public.

    2. Hague Apostille: Submit the notarized copies to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (formerly FCO) Legalisation Office or an approved service provider.
      https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised



 

 

 




 

  • South Africa

    Diploma

    1. Verification: Have your original degree certificate copied and verified by SAQA and/or the Department of Higher Education.

    2. Hague Apostille: Submit the verified copies to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for legalization.

    Police Clearance Certificate

    1. Notarization: Submit the original police clearance certificate to the High Court or other relevant government office for notarization.

    2. Hague Apostille: Submit the notarized certificate to DIRCO for legalization.

    TEFL Certificate

    1. Notarization: Submit the original TEFL certificate to the High Court or other relevant government office for notarization.

    2. Hague Apostille: Submit the notarized TEFL certificate to DIRCO for legalization.