Home › Knowledge Hub › Permits and entry order › q01
Permits and entry order · q01/30 · English
What is the difference between the Work Permit Notice and the Work Permit card?
The Work Permit Notice is not the Work Permit card. A Z visa application abroad sits between them.
Notice: Your employer applies online in the foreign worker system and hands you the printout to use at a Chinese consulate.
Card: Issued after you enter on a Z visa. This is the document that actually authorises work.
Residence permit: A page in your passport from the exit-entry authority. It covers lawful stay, not employment.
What most people miss: A Sanya public security reply (Aug 2026) lists police address registration among residence permit documents. Skip it early and the later filing stalls.
Local rules vary. Confirm current requirements with the authority before filing; outcomes rest with the authorities. This page summarises public information and hands-on experience. It is not legal advice and does not promise any approval outcome. Fees and processing times are confirmed in a written quotation.