Quick answer: China now accepts apostilles, so legalising your documents for a Z visa is far simpler than it used to be. Get your degree, TEFL certificate and criminal record check notarised where needed, then apostilled by your country’s competent authority – in the UK that is the FCDO Legalisation Office at £45 per document. Start 6–8 weeks before your start date.
Want to teach English in China?
China is an exciting place to teach English – the country reopened fully in 2023 and demand for in-person teachers has recovered well since. However, it is essential to legalise your documents in order to get a ‘Z’ visa to work.
To help you make sense of this process, here is our ABC no-nonsense guide to document legalisation for China – and there is good news, because the process became much simpler in November 2023. Note that we will run through it for UK citizens first, but there are notes for other nationalities further down the page.
Which documents need legalising for a China Z visa?
A) So, what is document legalisation?
Legalisation ‘converts’ your essential documents so they are recognised in China.
B) What ‘essential documents’ do I need to legalise?
Usually you need to legalise your:
* TEFL/TESOL certificate
* degree
* criminal record check, which should be no more than 6 months old. In the UK that means a basic DBS check, which costs about £21.50 (see here for more), or an ACRO police certificate – some employers specify ACRO, so ask before you order.
That trio – degree, TEFL certificate and criminal check – covers most employers, but always confirm with your employer exactly what they need legalising. As well as the original documents, it is worth having copies made of each, and you’ll need your passport to verify your identity at the notary stage.
Does China accept apostilles now?
Yes – and this is the big change since we first wrote this guide. On 7 November 2023, China joined the Hague Apostille Convention (you can see its entry on the official HCCH status table). The old three-step chain – notarise, then authenticate at the Foreign Office, then legalise at the Chinese consulate – is now obsolete for documents issued in Hague member states. The UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa are all members, so a single apostille from your country’s competent authority is all China needs. Chinese consulates have stopped legalising documents from member states altogether.
For UK readers, one more name change: the FCO is now the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office), and its Legalisation Office is the body that issues UK apostilles via gov.uk/get-document-legalised. If you are from the USA, S. Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, Australia or Canada, the apostille route applies to you too through your own country’s competent authority – check out the visa process and documentation needed for your nationality here.
The legalisation steps in order
C) What is the process of getting my documents legalised?
It now looks like this:
- Confirm the document list with your employer. Usually it is your degree, TEFL/TESOL certificate and a criminal record check no more than 6 months old, but the exact list varies by employer and province.
- Order your criminal record check. In the UK that is a basic DBS check or an ACRO police certificate – order it early, as its 6-month clock is ticking from the issue date.
- Have your documents notarised where required. A notary or solicitor officially confirms each certificate is genuine and stamps/signs it accordingly. In the UK this costs roughly £10–30 per document.
- Get an apostille from your country’s competent authority. In the UK, send the documents to the FCDO Legalisation Office via gov.uk/get-document-legalised – the standard service is currently £45 per document plus postage (check the current fee on that page). No consulate step is needed any more.
- Send the apostilled documents to your employer. They use them to apply for your work permit and the invitation you need for your Z visa application.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
Here is the whole process at a glance, with typical UK costs:
| Step | Who does it | Typical UK cost | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal record check | DBS or ACRO | About £22–55 | A few days–2 weeks |
| Notarisation | Notary or solicitor | £10–30 per document | Same day–a few days |
| Apostille | FCDO Legalisation Office | £45 per document + postage | About a week including post |
| Agent full service (optional) | Private agency | £40–100+ on top | Often faster, less legwork |
Doing it all yourself typically takes two to three weeks end to end if nothing goes astray in the post. Our advice: start 6–8 weeks before your intended start date so the work permit and Z visa stages aren’t rushed.
Can an agent do it for me?
D) Can I do the above myself or do I need to use an agent?
You can do it yourself, usually by post/online and it will be cheaper than using an agent but it will take longer. Alternatively an agent can manage some or all of the process for you for an extra fee. This could cost you an extra £40-£100 or more depending on who you use and if you opt for any express service they offer, but the process will be less complicated and can considerably reduce the amount of time you have to wait for it to be processed. Our own Global English TESOL graduates have used Hague Apostille services successfully in the past – their China legalisation page also has an example of the document form you may need to complete.
Tips for applying for jobs in China
* Get an English teaching job first – browse our TEFL jobs board to see what is on offer. If you are new to TEFL, you might consider working for a larger school or chain which is used to providing advice on this. Some may even help with costs, so keep all receipts.
* Consider using an agent, as it will save some of the time and legwork. It’s well worth the expense in our view!
* If you are a GE graduate, we can post your printed Global English TEFL/TESOL certificate direct to your agent or solicitor for notarisation.
* Once your employer has your apostilled documents and secures your work permit invitation, you apply for the Z visa itself through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre – and check the FCDO travel advice for China before you fly.
* Read more about teaching English in China from our graduates, get a recent graduate’s perspective on teaching English in China now, and see our Teaching in China page.
Frequently asked questions
Does China accept apostilles now?
Yes. China joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 7 November 2023, so documents from member states (including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa) just need a single apostille from the issuing country’s competent authority. The old Chinese consulate legalisation step no longer exists for these documents.
Do I legalise my TEFL certificate or just my degree?
Usually all three of the standard trio: degree, TEFL/TESOL certificate and a criminal record check under 6 months old. Always confirm the exact list with your employer. If you are a Global English graduate, we can post your printed certificate direct to your notary or agent to save a step.
Can an agency do legalisation for me?
Yes. A private agency can handle notarisation and the apostille for roughly £40–100+ on top of the official fees, and it is usually faster and involves much less legwork. Our graduates have used Hague Apostille services successfully in the past.
How long before my start date should I begin?
Start 6–8 weeks ahead to be safe. The document steps themselves take two to three weeks by post, but your employer then needs the apostilled documents to arrange your work permit and Z visa invitation, and couriering documents to China adds time too.
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Please note that the information and prices above are correct at the time of publishing. We have no business or affiliate association with Hague Apostille Services, other than that it has been successfully used by Global English TESOL trainees previously.
Global English TESOL does not take any referral fees for these services.
It is up to you to select the agent of your choice. All the above information is intended as general advice only and is subject to change. Ensure you are knowledgeable about all aspects of your visa application to your own satisfaction.
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