Documents Required for Applying for a Work Visa in China

The following documents are required to apply for a Chinese work visa:

1. Passport (valid).
2. Higher Education Diploma.
3. Certificate of No Criminal Record
4. Teaching Certificate (TEFL / TESOL / CELTA / DELTA) legalized by the Ministry of Justice with an Apostille.
5. Letter of Employment Verification confirming 2+ years of work experience.
6. Medical Examination Report / specific form.
7. 2 Photographs (3*4 cm), also have a digital version (for visa: no accessories, glasses, with an open face and neck visible).
8. Work Permit Notification Letter from the Chinese employer.

Procedure for Document Preparation

Higher Education Diploma

It must be authenticated with an Apostille.

Recommended pre-Apostille steps:

Notarized Copy: Before applying for the Apostille, obtain a notarized copy of your diploma in both Armenian and English.

Required: Your original diploma and passport.
Location: Any notary office.
Cost: 1,300 AMD + 400 AMD (terminal/service fee). Have small denomination bills.
Processing: Done on the spot within minutes.

Apostille at the Ministry of Justice:

Location: Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, Vazgen Sargsyan 3/8.
Required: The notarized copy from step 1 and your passport.
Cost: 7,000 AMD + 200 AMD (terminal fee). Have small bills. Payment is made on-site via an instant payment terminal.
Processing Time: 2 business days.
Submission Hours: 09:00-17:00 (preferably morning to avoid queues). Documents are ready for pickup after 16:00 on the 2nd business day.
Proxy Service: If someone applies on your behalf, they must present the above documents along with their passport and a copy of yours.

Certificate of No Criminal Record

Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, valid for 6 months, and must bear an Apostille. The state fee is 7,000 AMD + 200 AMD (service/terminal fee). Have small bills.

There are two methods to obtain it:

Online Application (Recommended):

Fill out the application on the MFA website, make the payment, and upload a passport photo.

Link: Click here

Processing: Ready in 5-7 business days.
Pickup/Delivery: Collect it at the MFA Administrative Building’s Public Reception Hall (Vazgen Sargsyan 3) or order delivery via HayPost (takes ~20 days).

2. In-Person Application:

Go to the MFA Public Reception Hall (Vazgen Sargsyan 3), fill out the application form, and make the payment (7,000 + 200 AMD).
Processing: Ready in 5-7 business days.
Pickup/Delivery: Same as above (in-person or HayPost).

Important Notes for Both Methods:

Proxy for Pickup: If someone else collects the certificate, you must indicate the authorized person’s full name during the application (online or in-person).
Working Hours (In-Person): Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 10:00-12:00.
Collection (In-Person): Present your passport.

Proxy by Authorized Person: If someone applies and collects on your behalf, they must submit:

A handwritten (printed is acceptable) power of attorney from you, detailing both parties’ passport and social card info.
Copies of both persons’ passports and social cards.

If You Are Already in China:

You can make the payment online via the MFA website (Click here ), then email the Consul at the Armenian Embassy in Beijing.
Attach: the application, payment confirmation code, your Chinese employer’s details, your passport, and your Chinese address. The Embassy will send the Apostilled certificate directly to your address in China.

TEFL / TESOL / CELTA / DELTA Certificate

Background: To regulate the influx of underqualified English teachers, the Chinese government made TEFL/TESOL certification mandatory for a work visa in 2019. A September 2019 law further required the certificate to be notarized, legalized by the MFA, and authenticated by the Chinese Embassy to prevent forgery. Since March 2021, Armenian law only authenticated certificates issued by licensed Armenian institutions. Since October 2023, China has joined the Apostille Convention.

Procedure:

The certificate must be authenticated with an Apostille at the Ministry of Justice (Vazgen Sargsyan 3/8).

Cost: 7,000 AMD + 200 AMD (service/terminal fee). Have small bills.
Processing Time: 2 business days.
Hours & Pickup: Submit 09:00-17:00, collect after 16:00 on the 2nd business day.

*Note: All documents apostilled by the Ministry of Justice are issued as color .pdf files, while the physical copies are black and white.

Letter of Employment Verification (2+ Years Experience)

Format: A reference letter on company letterhead.
Language: English.
Content: Must specify the profession for which you are applying for the visa. Must include company contact details: address, phone number, email, director’s full name, official stamp, and signature.

Important: This document is submitted only to the Chinese government. It is not authenticated or verified by Armenian authorities.

Medical Examination Report

Location: Can be done at any polyclinic, but some may be uninformed or unwilling to provide the service.

Cost:

Free at your legally registered polyclinic.
- 21,000–25,000 AMD at other polyclinics.
- Up to 80,000 AMD at private medical centers.

Required to Bring: Passport, copy of passport, one 3×4 cm photo, and the special Medical Examination Form for China (downloadable format attached here, to be filled out in English).

Authentication: The report must be stamped (half on the photo on the 1st page and on the last page) and signed by the physician.

Validity: 7–20 days, depending on employer requirements. It is advised not to undergo the examination prematurely, only upon request.

Processing Time: 1–2 business days.

Submission: The employer may require it in Armenia, in China, or only in China. Clarify this in advance.

Work Permit Notification Letter from Chinese Employer

This document is issued by the Chinese government after your employer applies on your behalf using your authenticated documents. Based on this letter, you apply for a Z (Work) Visa at the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in Armenia. This visa must be confirmed and converted into a Residence Permit upon arrival in China.

*CRUCIAL REMINDER: Take all your original documents to China, as they are required for the Residence Permit application. Never hand over your personal original documents to a third party, no matter how trustworthy they seem.

Documents Required for a Chinese Dependent (Family) Visa

Marriage Certificate:

Requires either a notarized translation into English/Chinese or a notarized copy in Armenian and English (depends on employer).
Notarized Copy: 1,300 AMD + 400 AMD (service fee).
Translation Cost: Varies by target language.
Apostille at MoJ: 7,000 AMD + 200 AMD (terminal fee).

Child’s Birth Certificate:

Same requirements and procedure as the Marriage Certificate.

Medical Examination Report: Conducted according to the procedure described above.

*Please note: The absence of even one of the above documents will result in the inability to obtain a Dependent Visa.