Switching from a tourist visa or other short-term visa to a work visa is a common demand for many foreigners, especially when they find themselves with an opportunity to work in China. While transferring a visa is not an overnight process, it is not difficult to successfully convert to a work visa as long as you understand the process and prepare the necessary materials.

对于很多外国人来说，从旅游签证或其他短期签证转换为工作签证是一个常见的需求，尤其是在发现自己有机会在中国工作时。虽然转签证并非一蹴而就的过程，但只要理解流程并准备好必要的材料，成功转换为工作签证并不难。

Here is a detailed guide on how to convert a short-term visa to a work visa, including the steps required, precautions and frequently asked questions.

1. Under what circumstances can a short-term visa be converted into a work visa?

一、什么情况下可以将短期签证转换为工作签证？

Usually, foreigners with short-term visas such as tourist visas, family visit visas or business visas cannot work directly in China. If a foreigner has found a job in China and the employer is willing to offer him a job, he can work legally through a work visa.

通常情况下，外国人持有旅游签证、探亲签证或商务签证等短期签证，无法直接在中国工作。若外籍人士在中国找到了工作，且雇主愿意为其提供工作机会，则可以通过工作签证合法工作。

Applicable short-term visa types:

适用的短期签证类型：

1. Tourist Visa (L visa) : It is commonly used by foreigners who come to China for sightseeing or short-term visits.

1. 旅游签证（L签证）：常见于来中国进行观光或短期访问的外国人。

2. Family Visit Visa (Q Visa) : For foreigners who wish to reunite with their Chinese relatives.

2. 探亲签证（Q签证）：适用于希望与中国籍亲属团聚的外国人。

3. Business Visa (M visa) : Applicable to foreigners for short-term business activities, such as business negotiations, conferences, etc.

3. 商务签证（M签证）：适用于进行短期商业活动的外国人，如商务洽谈、会议等。

How to meet the visa transfer conditions:

如何满足转签条件：

1. Foreigners need to find a legal job in China, that is, Chinese enterprises are willing to provide jobs for them, and meet the needs of China's labor market.

1. 外籍人士需在中国找到合法工作，即有中国企业愿意为其提供工作岗位，并且符合中国的劳动力市场需求。

2. Employers need to apply for Foreigner Employment Permit for foreign employees.

2. 雇主需要为外籍员工办理《外国人就业许可证》。

3. Foreign nationals must have skills, education and experience that meet the needs of the Chinese labor market.

3. 外籍人士需具备符合中国劳动力市场需求的技能、学历和经验。

2. Steps for conversion to work visa

二、转换为工作签证的步骤

Step 1: Find the right job opportunity

步骤一：找到合适的工作机会

Whether you are switching from a tourist visa, a family visit visa or a business visa, the priority is to find a legitimate job. You will need to find a qualified Chinese company or institution that is willing to offer you a formal job position and process a work visa for you.

无论您是从旅游签证、探亲签证还是商务签证转换，首要任务是找到一份合法的工作。您需要寻找符合条件的中国公司或机构，他们愿意为您提供正式的工作岗位，并为您办理工作签证。

Step 2: The employer applies for an Employment Permit for Foreigners

步骤二：雇主申请《外国人就业许可证》

Once you have identified an employer, the employer needs to apply for an Employment Permit for Foreigners from the local Human Resources and Social Security Bureau. This process requires the submission of some necessary information, usually including:

一旦您确定雇主，雇主需要向地方人力资源和社会保障局申请《外国人就业许可证》。这个过程需要提交一些必要的资料，通常包括：

- Passports and valid visas of foreign nationals;

- 外籍人员的护照和有效签证；

- Resume and academic certificate;

- 个人简历及学历证明；

- Employment contract or work agreement;

- 雇佣合同或工作协议；

- Company business license and other company related qualifications;

- 公司营业执照及其他公司相关资质；

- Employer's guarantee commitment.

- 雇主的担保承诺。

After the approval of this permit, the employer will receive the alien employment permit, which is an important basis for applying for a work visa.

该许可证批准后，雇主会收到外国人就业许可证，该证件是申请工作签证的重要依据。

Step 3: Apply for a work Visa (Z visa)

步骤三：申请工作签证（Z签证）

After obtaining the Foreigner Employment Permit, you can apply for a work visa (Z visa) from Chinese embassies or consulates abroad or the Exit and Entry Administration. Materials to be provided include:

获得《外国人就业许可证》后，您可以向中国驻外使领馆或出入境管理局申请工作签证（Z签证）。需要提供的材料包括：

- Valid passport;

- 有效护照；

- Employment permit for foreigners;

- 外国人就业许可证；

- Employment contract;

- 雇佣合同；

- Recent photos;

- 近期照片；

- Relevant education and qualification certification documents;

- 相关学历及资格认证文件；

- Medical examination report (as required).

- 体检报告（根据需要）。

When applying for a work visa, you need to submit your application to the Chinese Embassy or consulate. Normally, visa approval takes 1 to 2 weeks.

申请工作签证时，您需向中国使领馆提交申请材料。通常情况下，签证审批需要1至2周时间。

Step 4: Apply for residence permit after entry

步骤四：入境后办理居留许可

After obtaining the Z visa, you can enter China and start working. However, the work visa itself is not equivalent to a residence permit, and you also need to apply for a work residence permit to the Chinese exit-entry administration within 30 days of entering the country.

获得Z签证后，您可以进入中国并开始工作。然而，工作签证本身并不等同于居留许可，您还需要在入境后的30天内向中国出入境管理部门申请工作居留许可。

Materials to be submitted include:

需要提交的材料包括：

- Passport and visa;

- 护照及签证；

- Employment permit for foreigners;

- 外国人就业许可证；

- Employment contract;

- 雇佣合同；

- Proof of residence (e.g. rental contract);

- 居住地证明（如房屋租赁合同）；

- Recent photos, etc.

- 近期照片等。

After the work and residence permit is approved, you can legally work and live in China, and it is usually valid for one year, after which it can be renewed.

工作居留许可批准后，您即可在中国合法工作和居住，通常有效期为一年，之后可以续签。

Third, precautions and common problems

三、注意事项与常见问题

1. Apply before your visa expires

1. 签证到期前及时申请

If your short-term visa is about to expire, you should apply to the relevant authorities for a transfer before the visa expires. It is generally recommended to start preparing for the application process 1-2 months in advance to avoid illegal overstaying due to visa expiration.

如果您的短期签证即将到期，您应在签证到期前向相关部门申请转签。一般建议提前1-2个月开始准备申请手续，避免签证过期导致的非法滞留。

2. Restrictions on work visa application

2. 工作签证的申请限制

Not all industries are receptive to foreign workers, especially low-skilled positions. The Chinese government has strict requirements for the recruitment of foreign workers, especially in the fields of high-skilled and in-demand talent. Therefore, when you apply for a work visa, you need to provide sufficient evidence to show that you are qualified to work in China.

并非所有行业都能接纳外籍员工，特别是一些低技术含量的职位。中国政府对于外籍员工的招聘有严格要求，特别是在高技术和紧缺人才领域。因此，您在申请工作签证时需要提供足够的证明材料，显示您具备在中国从事工作的资格。

3. Employer's responsibility

3. 雇主的责任

Employers need to assume certain responsibilities in the process of applying for a work visa, including ensuring that foreign employees are provided with legal work contracts, and applying for foreign employment permits for employees. The relevant qualifications of the employer and the background of the company will also have an impact on the application result.

雇主在申请工作签证过程中需要承担一定的责任，包括确保为外籍员工提供合法的工作合同、为员工申请外国人就业许可证等。雇主的相关资质及公司背景也会对申请结果产生影响。

4. Visa conversion time and fee

4. 签证转换时间与费用

The visa conversion process may take some time, so it is recommended to submit the relevant application in time before the visa expires. In some cases, applicants may be required to pay a visa fee. Please confirm the specific fee according to the regulations of your local immigration administration or embassy or consulate.

签证转换的过程可能需要一定时间，因此建议在签证到期前及时提交相关申请。在某些情况下，申请人可能需要支付一定的签证费用。请根据当地出入境管理局或使领馆的规定，确认具体费用。

5. Residence requirements after transfer

5. 转签后的居住要求

After obtaining a work visa, foreigners must comply with China's residence regulations. For example, while working, you need to register for residence in your place of residence. If you change your workplace, you need to report to the Immigration Bureau and renew your work visa.

获得工作签证后，外籍人员必须遵守中国的居住管理规定。例如，在工作期间，您需要在居住地办理居住登记手续。如果更换工作单位，需向出入境管理局报告，并更新工作签证。

4. Success Stories: How to successfully change from tourist visa to work visa

四、成功案例：如何顺利从旅游签证转为工作签证

Case 1: John's successful experience

案例一：John的成功经验

John, an engineer from the United States, found a technology company in Shanghai willing to hire him before his tourist visa expired. The company helped him apply for an Employment Permit for Foreigners and submitted all the materials required for the work visa. John quickly obtained the Z visa, smoothly entered China and applied for the work and residence permit. Although the whole process took some time, John was able to successfully complete the transition from a tourist visa to a work visa because his work was in line with the Chinese government's "high-tech talent" policy.

John是一位来自美国的工程师，在旅游签证到期前找到了一个上海的科技公司愿意聘用他。公司帮助他申请了《外国人就业许可证》，并且根据工作签证的要求提交了所有材料。John很快获得了Z签证，顺利进入中国并办理了工作居留许可。尽管整个过程需要一些时间，但由于John的工作符合中国政府的“高技术人才”政策，他最终顺利完成了从旅游签证到工作签证的转变。

V. Summary

五、总结

Converting a short-term visa to a work visa requires the foreigner and the employer to work together and apply through a compliant channel. The key is to have the right job opportunities, employer support and adequate material preparation. Be sure to submit your application in a timely manner before your visa expires and to comply with China's visa and residency laws. With the right process, you will be able to work legally in China and enjoy your career in China.

将短期签证转换为工作签证需要外国人和雇主共同配合，通过合规的渠道进行申请。关键是要有合适的工作机会、雇主支持和充分的材料准备。务必确保在签证到期之前及时提交申请，并遵守中国的签证和居留法律。通过正确的流程，您将能够在中国合法工作并享受在中国的职业生涯。