If you are a UK citizen planning to teach English in China, you will need a China Z visa (Z-visa)【Z字签证】.
This applies to all paid teaching English roles, including schools, training centres, universities, and language institutions in mainland China.
A common misunderstanding is that the Z visa alone allows you to live and work in China.
It does not.
The Z-visa is only an entry visa. Most delays and rejections happen before the visa is issued, usually due to incorrect handling of TEFL / CELTA / TESOL certificates, degree certificates, DBS / ARCO certificates, notarisation, or Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) apostille requirements.
This guide explains — clearly and simply — how teaching English in China works in 2026, and how UK documents must be prepared so they are accepted first time.
Do You Need a Z Visa (Z-Visa) to Teach English in China?
Yes.
If you are teaching English in China, you must hold a Z visa (Z-visa)【Z字签证】.
Tourist visas and business visas do not allow teaching English, even if:
- the role is short-term
- the hours are part-time
- the school says it is “temporary”
Teaching on the wrong visa can result in fines, visa cancellation, or future entry restrictions.
What the Z-Visa Is — and What It Is Not
The Z visa (Z-visa)【Z字签证】allows you to enter China for work purposes.
It does not allow you to:
- teach English long-term
- live in China beyond the initial entry period
To teach English legally, you must complete these 4 stages:
- Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit 【申请外国人工作许可通知】– Official pre-approval document confirming you are eligible for a Z-visa. Employer applies on your behalf. It takes longer in some Chinese cities than others, e.g. approximately 10 working days in Guangzhou.
- Z visa (Z-visa)【Z字签证】– Apply to Chinese Embassy in the UK by filling in the electronic visa application form online through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in advance, then submit application documents and the biometric information at the Visa Center.
- Foreigner’s Work Permit【外国人工作许可证】– Legal authorisation to work in China. Employer applies on your behalf. It takes longer in some Chinese cities than others, e.g. approximately 10 working days in Shanghai. You must apply to collect your Permit within 15 days of entering China.
- Foreigner’s Residence Permit【外国人居留许可】– Apply to the exit/entry administrations of local public security bureau in China within 30 days of entering China for long-term lawful stay.
If you do not complete the post-arrival steps, your stay may become illegal even with a valid Z-visa.
Who Can Teach English in China?
Requirements vary slightly by city, but most employers follow the same national standards.
Nationality
You must be a citizen of a recognised English-speaking country.
China accepts the United Kingdom.
Degree
You must hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
Experience or Teaching Qualification
Normally:
- Two years of teaching experience
China waives this requirement if you have:
- a degree in education or language, or
- a recognised teaching qualification such as TEFL, CELTA, or TESOL (obtained in-class, not online)
Most problems arise not because applicants are unqualified, but because documents are not prepared in the correct legal format.
Teaching English in China with TEFL, CELTA, or TESOL
For teaching English in China, employers commonly accept TEFL, CELTA, or TESOL certificates.
However, holding the certificate alone is not sufficient.
In practice, Chinese employers often require:
- TEFL, CELTA, or TESOL certificate obtained in class, not online
- verification with the issuing organisation
- UK certification by a solicitor / notarisation
- an apostille, specifically a UK FCDO apostille
How TEFL, CELTA, and TESOL Verification Works
- CELTA → verified with Cambridge
- TEFL → verified with the issuing TEFL provider
- TESOL → verified with the issuing TESOL organisation
Submitting unverified certificates — even if apostilled — is one of the most common reasons teaching English in China applications are delayed or rejected.
We can complete this process remotely.
Notarisation / Certification and the Role of a UK Solicitor
For China, documents are certified by a UK solicitor / notary.
The solicitor must:
- be UK-qualified
- hold a valid practising certificate
The notarisation / certification confirms that:
- the copy matches the original document
- required verification has been completed
Only after proper notarisation / certification should an apostille be applied.
We can complete this process remotely.
FCDO Apostille for Teaching English in China
Since China joined the Hague Apostille Convention:
- Chinese embassy legalisation is no longer required
- UK documents bearing a FCDO apostille are accepted directly in China
Important points:
- The FCDO is the UK authority that issues apostilles
- An apostille confirms the authority of the solicitor, not the document content
- Verification and notarisation / certification must take place before the apostille
Applying an apostille too early is a frequent and costly mistake.
Degree Certificate Requirements for Teaching English in China
Chinese authorities usually require proof that a UK degree is genuine.
Degree Verification
Verification is completed through:
- HEDD (Higher Education Degree Datacheck), or
- direct confirmation from the awarding university
We can complete this process remotely.
Correct Legal Order (Critical)
- Degree verification
- Certification by a UK solicitor (with valid practising certificate)
- FCDO apostille
China will reject documents prepared in the wrong order.
Criminal Record Certificates: ACRO vs DBS
ACRO Police Certificate
- Issued by an official authority
- Apostilled directly by the FCDO
DBS Certificate
- Not officially signed
- Requires solicitor certification first
- UK Apostille applied afterwards
How Ginkgo Advisory Helps
Ginkgo Advisory supports UK citizens teaching English in China, focusing on first-time acceptance.
We assist with:
- TEFL, CELTA, TESOL verification
- degree verification
- UK solicitor certification (valid practising certificate)
- FCDO apostille
- ACRO and DBS handling
Final Summary
To teach English in China, UK citizens need:
- correctly verified, certified / notarised, and apostilled degree certificate
- correctly verified, certified / notarised, and apostilled TEFL, CELTA, or TESOL certificate
- correctly verified, certified / notarised, and apostilled Criminal Record Certificate, ACRO, DBS
- Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit 【申请外国人工作许可通知】
- Z visa (Z-visa)【Z字签证】
- Foreigner’s Work Permit【外国人工作许可证】
- Foreigner’s Residence Permit【外国人居留许可】
What cause delays are:
- incorrect certification
- missing or premature FCDO apostille
- using a solicitor without a valid practising certificate
Handled correctly, China will accept your UK documents.
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