How to immigrate to China as a software engineer?

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Moving to China as a software engineer visa option 

Every foreign national who wants to work in China needs a work visa or Z visa. It’s the standard China work visa that you need to immigrate to China as a software engineer. 

The first requirement for a Z visa is to have a job offer from a Chinese employer. Why? Because you must have a work permit to work in the country. It’s the government’s approval for foreign nationals to work in China. You can get familiar with the process of getting a Z visa in the below section. 

Highly talented people that have an international awards in their fields can also apply for a China R visa. There are so many benefits with an R visa; you can work in the country for up to 10 years, it’s a multiple entry visa, and you can leave China and return again. Also, you can bring your family to the country to live with you. But you must be eligible and have international recognition in your field. 

Visit the Visa Library article from the right sidebar to learn about China R visa. 

How to immigrate and work in China as a software engineer? 

You will find the standard process of moving to China as a software engineer. Follow these steps, and you can immigrate and work in China as a software engineer. 

The process of moving to China as a foreign worker is a bit long and needs some paperwork. You have to go through different stages, and there might be more. 

Chinese officials are strict with security and rules for entering foreign nationals. So they have created a system to ensure their people’s safety. 

Find a job offer with a Chinese employer.

The first step to immigrating to China as a software engineer is to find a job offer from a Chinese employer. This is the most difficult part that is in your control. Being highly qualified to persuade an employer to hire you is up to you and your skills and abilities. 

You need the job offer as the Chinese employer must apply for Chinese officials’ approval. Without that approval, you and no foreign national can move to China. 

You can look for a job position on websites that advertise such job positions. Also, there are some employment agencies that can help you find a job in China. The choices are yours to pick the option and find the Chinese employer. 

When you find the job and persuade the employer to hire you, you must sign an employment contract with the employer. The working conditions and all the details about your employment must be verified in it. The contract is part of the supporting document, and both parties must sign it. 

Chinese employer applies for China Work Permit Notice. 

At this stage, the Chinese employer applies for a Work Permit Notice. It must be achieved before the employee moves to China. If the government agrees and issues the work permit notice, the employee can move to China. If not, the software engineer can not move to China. 

Software engineer applies for a work visa. 

When the Work Permit Notice is issued, the employee must apply for a work visa. He/she must apply to the Chinese embassy or consulate or a visa center in his/her country. The center is up to the employee’s country of residence. You must find it out yourself. 

There is a list of supporting documents you must prepare to submit to the embassy. You can find it in the article from the right sidebar. 

When the work visa is issued, the employee can move to China. 

Register your stay with the police. 

When you arrive in China, you must register your stay with the police. You must carry some documents and visit the police center in the city you live in to register your stay: 

1. The original passport, not a photocopy;
2. The housing contract;
3. A copy of the landlord’s ID and phone number.

 The police may call the landlord to ensure you are truly living in the apartment.

They may even ask the landlord to show up with the employee.

Take a medical test 

You must also take a medical test to prove your health to the government. If you have taken a full medical test outside of China, you can present it to the officials. But you must have it translated inside China. It must be complete and cover every aspect the authorities want. 

These documents are needed when you want to take the test: 

1. An original medical checkup from your country (if it is partially completed)
2. Cash to pay for your medical test. 
3. One ID Photo. It must meet these requirements:

– Taken within the last 6 months, on a white background, printed on high-quality paper;

– 48mm by 33mm wide, not 2 by 2 inches, which is usually used outside of China;

– Full frontal view of the head, not smiling, face fully visible;

– There can not be any sign of tape or staples on it.

The employee applies for a work permit 

At this phase, you must visit the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security to apply for a work permit. It is permission to work in the country. 

These documents are needed to apply for a work permit: 

1. The actual passport;
2. An ID photo. 

It must be the same as for the medical checkup. 

3. The police housing registration form you got from the previous stage. 
4. Medical report verification;
5. Some documents from the company.

Apply for a residence permit. 

At the final stage, you must apply for a residence permit. It is different than a work permit. 

You must go in person to the local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau. And You must bring these documents:  

1. The actual passport;
2. Police housing registration form;
3. Resident permit application forms;
4. ID photo;
5. Original work certificate;
6. Some documents for the company.

If you don’t register with the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau and receive the residence permit, your stay in China will be illegal. 

This is the final stage of registration in China, and it’s done after this part. Now you can live in China as long as your permit allows.