Q: I am going to start my work in China. Before entering China, is there any document I need to prepare? If the documents need to be legislated as well?

A: There are three documents you need to prepare:

1. the certificates especially your highest degree and other qualifications
2. certificate of non-criminal record
3. documents for your companion（if applicated）.

You may also want to ask in which cases the documents mentioned above need to be legislated. Well……general speaking, it very depends on where you get your documents. if your documents are issued in mainland China, congratulations! You don’t need to do anything with them. On the contrary, all your documents gained from outside mainland China (no matter from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan of China, or any other foreign countries) need to be legislated by the authority (e.g. local notary office, Chinese embassy or consulate in the related country, or that country’s embassy or consulate in China).

Apart from the most important notarization, there are some more points worth attention. If you have time, let’s look through together.

As for your certificate of non-criminal record, it should be issued by the police, the security department, or the court of the nationality state of your native country or the place of your habitual residence¹. More important, your certificate of non-criminal record shall be valid for a period not exceeding 6 months. Also, A certificate of no criminal record issued by a foreign embassy or consulate in China which is non-declaration of no criminal record can be accepted without further certification.

You might be wondering about the documents for your partner, your kids, or my parent. It is also quite simple. Just bring the original documents (i.e., marriage booklet, certificate of birth, or kinship proof) to proof your two’s connection, and the legislated certificates of these documents. That’s it!

Due to the word limit, many details cannot be fully elaborated here. But basically, all documents you need have been listed above. If you still have any questions, click ‘Contact Us’ and leave your messages. Our experts are super willing to help you! Then, good luck!

Notes:

1. The place of habitual residence refers to the place (not on the territory of China) where the applicant lives for at least one consecutive year after the applicant left his/her native country.