WangYuHong Posted March 6, 2012 at 08:53 PM Report Posted March 6, 2012 at 08:53 PM So, I've been trying to read up on Chinese visas, and residency permits, and work permits, etc. and it's all still a bit murky to me... From what I can tell though, the only way a foreigner can legally work for a Chinese company in China is via the Z visa, which requires a specific company to invite them, and they're restricted to working only at that company while in China. (I'd assume wanting to change jobs means finding another company to sponsor you for another Z visa...) What about if a foreign company had a work-from-home structure for its employees? Paid in foreign currency, no Chinese presence, but the employee just physically located in China? Assuming the employee entered and stayed in China under legal terms (according to the terms of the visa or residency permit), would a work permit still be required for this scenario? I mean, I can see this being one of those "gray areas", where there's no harm if no one finds out about it... But I'm hoping there's a more formal position on this scenario (either for or against) just so I'm aware of the possible outcomes... Quote
anonymoose Posted March 7, 2012 at 04:21 AM Report Posted March 7, 2012 at 04:21 AM I'm not sure on the legality of it, but as you said, you require an invitation to get a Z visa, and I very much doubt you'd be able to get a Z visa if the invitation is not from a company with operations in China. Quote
imron Posted March 7, 2012 at 04:54 AM Report Posted March 7, 2012 at 04:54 AM What other sort of visa are you going to get that's going to allow you to stay in China for a lengthy period of time, without needing to do say visa runs to HK every couple of months? Quote
roddy Posted March 7, 2012 at 12:18 PM Report Posted March 7, 2012 at 12:18 PM No work permit would be required. You might be employed, but you wouldn't be employed *in China*. You then need to figure out what visa you will use, as Imron says. In the unlikely event anyone official asks you what you're doing, I'd say studying and living off savings. Trying to explain the work situation will just confuse matters and while I don't think they'll care, they may take a while to decide that. Quote
WangYuHong Posted March 7, 2012 at 02:06 PM Author Report Posted March 7, 2012 at 02:06 PM Wow, that's a different answer than I was expecting... (I thought for sure they'd want a work permit to do anything "work related" in the country... I know in the US they'd be pretty upset about it) Well, I presume from the other threads that being married to a Chinese citizen would allow me to stay in the country long term... just needing to register at the local PSB every year (or half year... I forget) I wonder if they'd look at me funny (or think I'm a 宅男) if I just stay at home all day while the Mrs. goes out to work... Quote
anonymoose Posted March 7, 2012 at 02:29 PM Report Posted March 7, 2012 at 02:29 PM They'll think you like soft rice. 1 Quote
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