Work & residence permits in China
Your documents ready and your steps clear for a work and residence permit in China
In China, work and residence permits are typically obtained by applying to the local authorities through the employer or inviting company. Yeni İpekyolu coordinates document preparation, apostille and translation, appointments and follow-up in Turkish.
How the work and residence permit process in China works for Turkish employees
The logic of the process: the application runs through the employer
For a foreigner to work in China, an employer or inviting company registered in China typically needs to take on the application. The process usually runs in this order: the employer files a preliminary application with the competent local authority for the foreign employee; after approval, the employee applies for a work-type visa at a Chinese mission in Türkiye; after entering China, the application for the work permit card and then the residence permit is completed. Because rules and sequence can vary by city and position, we confirm current practice together for every file.
Because of this structure, it is often not possible for a Turkish employee to apply alone; at the centre of the process is the Chinese employer or the local entity of a Turkish company established in China. Official applications are filed by the employer's HR team or licensed local agencies. At Yeni İpekyolu we manage the Turkish side of this chain and the communication layer: we list the documents needed from the employee, get them prepared and translated, correspond with the employer in Chinese and follow every step. That way the file does not come back because of missing documents.
Diplomas, criminal record and experience letters: apostille and translation
A work permit file typically requires a diploma, criminal record certificate, work experience letter, health check and passport details. Many of these documents are issued in Türkiye and need official certification to be used in China. Since China joined the Apostille Convention (in force since November 2023), Turkish public documents can generally be used with an apostille instead of consular legalisation; we still confirm current practice. The issue date also matters; some documents may be required to be no older than a certain period.
A Chinese translation of the apostilled documents is often part of the file too, and the accepted form of translation can vary by city. At Yeni İpekyolu we produce sworn Chinese–Turkish translations with our own team and, when needed, clarify in advance with the employer which translation formats are accepted in China. We pay particular attention to keeping department names, titles and dates on diplomas consistent with passport details. Since even a small difference in name spelling can prolong the process, we compare every document one by one.
After arriving in China: health check, registration and residence permit
After entering China on a work-type visa, several steps typically need to be completed within a set period: accommodation registration, a health check at an authorised centre, obtaining the work permit card and applying for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration. The timing and order of these steps can vary by city, so we clarify the timeline together with the employer. As your passport may be held by the administration for a while during the application, we recommend planning your travel accordingly.
If your family comes with you, residence applications for your spouse and children under family reunion may be needed; additional documents such as marriage and birth certificates may be requested. New applications may also be required for renewal before a permit expires, a change of employer or a move to another city. At Yeni İpekyolu we track these dates and inform you and your employer in advance as a renewal approaches. We accompany you as interpreters at appointments and translate letters from the administration into Turkish.
Who is our work and residence permit support suited to?
Turkish employees posted to China
If you have been assigned to your company's entity in China, we help you prepare your documents fully in Türkiye. We explain the process step by step in Turkish.
Turks starting jobs at Chinese companies
We correspond in Chinese with your Chinese employer's HR team and deliver the requested documents in the correct format, so nothing gets lost in communication.
Turkish companies setting up entities in China
If you are sending staff from Türkiye to your newly established company, we coordinate the employee files in bulk. We work together with licensed local agencies.
People relocating with their families
We list the additional documents needed for your spouse and children and plan their translation and apostille together.
Scope of our work and residence permit coordination
Document checklist and pre-check
We turn the documents required by the employer and local authorities into a Turkish checklist. We check consistency of dates, names and titles in advance.
Apostille coordination
We plan and follow up on apostilles for Turkish public documents. We confirm current practice for every file.
Sworn Chinese–Turkish translation
Our own team translates diplomas, criminal records, experience letters and family documents into Chinese. We clarify the accepted format with the employer.
Communication with the employer
We follow the file's status by corresponding in Chinese with the HR team or local agency. We relay any requests for extra documents to you quickly in Turkish.
Appointment accompaniment and interpreting
We accompany you as interpreters at health check, registration and residence application appointments.
Renewal tracking
We track permit expiry dates and notify you and your employer in advance as renewal approaches.
Service summary and requirements
| Applicant | Employer or inviting company in China |
|---|---|
| Delivery team | Coordinator + sworn translator + licensed local agency |
| Pricing | Quote per file · official fees separate |
| Service languages | Turkish · Chinese · English |
| Cities served | Guangzhou · Shenzhen · Yiwu · Shanghai · Hangzhou · Beijing (coordinated from our Istanbul office) |
The final price and timeline depend on the scope; we send you a clear quote promptly.
What you need to provide
- Valid passport and passport photos
- Diploma and transcript if required
- Recent criminal record certificate
- Experience letters from previous employers
- Contact details of the employer in China and the job offer
- Marriage and birth certificates for family members (if any)
The steps we take to move your permit file forward
- 1
Initial call and employer contact
We learn about your position, city and employer and get in touch with the employer's HR team. Together we clarify current document requirements.
- 2
Preparing documents
We list the documents to obtain in Türkiye and plan and follow up on the apostilles.
- 3
Translation and file hand-over
We translate the documents into Chinese, check them and hand them over complete to the employer or local agency.
- 4
Visa and entry into China
After preliminary approval we guide you through the visa application and plan pick-up and registration steps on your arrival in China.
- 5
Steps in China and follow-up
We provide accompaniment and interpreting through the health check, work permit card and residence permit stages, and put renewal dates in the calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a work permit myself?
Typically not; the application is made through an employer or inviting company registered in China. We coordinate the document, translation and communication steps on your side.
Which visa should I enter China on?
Working typically requires a work-type visa based on the employer's preliminary approval. Starting work on a tourist or business visa is not appropriate; we confirm current rules together.
Is an apostille enough for my documents?
Since China joined the Apostille Convention, Turkish public documents can generally be used with an apostille. Some documents may have extra requirements, so we confirm current practice.
How long does the process take?
It varies by city, position and how ready the documents are. Preparing documents completely and early saves the most time; we clarify the timeline with the employer.
Can my spouse and children come with me?
Residence permit applications can typically be made for family members too. We plan the apostille and translation of additional documents such as marriage and birth certificates together.
Should I get my diploma translated in Türkiye or in China?
The accepted translation format can vary by city. We clarify this with the employer in advance and produce the translation in the right format with our own team.
What happens to my permit if I change jobs?
A change of employer or city typically requires a new application or an update. We plan the process with the new employer from the start and organise your documents so they can be reused.
Do you file the official applications?
Official applications are filed by the employer or licensed local agencies. Yeni İpekyolu prepares and translates the documents, handles communication and follows up on every step.
Tell us what you need in China
Our consultant reviews your needs for free and gives you a clear price and timeline.
