The majority of provinces in China now require a teacher to authenticate their Degree Certificate and ‘No Criminal Record’ background check (and in some circumstances their TEFL/ TESOL/ CELTA certificate) in order to issue the work ‘z’ visa support paperwork.
Information for UK citizens
Information for US citizens
Information for Australian citizens
Information for South African citizens
Information for Canadian citizens
Information for Irish citizens
Authentication Services (To be used to complete the process on your behalf)
The Process:
Notarisation – this is the attestation by a Notary Public that the signature appearing on the document is true and genuine. This is usually completed in the country where the document originates. This may also be in the form of a certification which is made by a solicitor as to the signatures made on a document.
Apostille – a Government Official in the country of origin has to declare the signature of the Notary Public or the Solicitor as true and genuine. Authentication declares that the Apostille is genuine prior to Legalisation. These are undertaken by a Home Office, e.g the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, or Department of State.
Legalisation – the Chinese Embassy can now declare and accept the signature, seal or stamp appearing on the document as genuine.
Only once you have authenticated your documents and sent these by scanned copy to your employer school can their HR Team begin to submit your work ‘z’ visa application to the Provincial Visa Office.
Ensure you allow around 3 weeks to complete the process; participants of the Teach China Graduate Program should begin this process immediately after receiving their hard copy degree certificate.
Some employer schools will contribute towards the costs of the authentication process; if your employer details this in your employment contract, ensure you keep all receipts or invoices.
Make sure to check that the awarding institution of your document is the same as the country it is being authenticated in. For example; the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK can only legalise Degrees, TEFL Certificates and Criminal Record Checks, awarded from UK institutions.
The notarization and legalisation process differs from country to country – see below a breakdown of document authentication for each country.
Process for Authentication of Documents for UK Citizens
The following is a simple guide to the authentication procedure for Z visa documents for UK citizens.
It is important to note that although these are the most common documents needed for authentication, certain schools/ local visa offices may have different requirements. It is vital to double and triple check with your school’s HR department which documents need to be authenticated and if there is any specific wording needed or special requirements from the school for authentication.
Edward Young, Notary Public London
Edward Young offer a comprehensive package, processing every step of the Authentication process. The service has a turnaround time of 7-10 days. Find out more via the link below.
http://www.notarypublicinlondon.com/legalisation-requirements/china-peoples-republic/authentication/
Edward Young (incorporating Kober-Smith & Associates)
9 Carlos Place
London, W1K 3AT.
Email: notary@notarypublicinlondon.com
Telephone: 020 7499 2605
Please find example images below of Degree Certificate and DBS documents at each stage of their notarization.
Letter of Attestation (Attached to Documents)

Apostille and Embassy Stamp

DBS notorized

DBS Unnotorized

Process for Authentication of Documents for US Citizens
The following is a simple guide to the authentication procedure for Z visa documents for US citizens.
It is important to note that although these are the most common documents needed for authentication, certain schools/ local visa offices may have different requirements. It is vital to double and triple check with your school’s HR department which documents need to be authenticated.
Process for Authentication of Documents for Australian Citizens
The following is a simple guide to the authentication procedure for Z visa documents for Australian citizens.
It is important to note that although these are the most common documents needed for authentication, certain schools/ local visa offices may have different requirements. It is vital to double and triple check with your school’s HR department which documents need to be authenticated.
Process for Irish Citizens
After completing the initial stage of notarisation and legalization, submit the documents to the Chinese embassy or consulate for legalization. Note – This must be done in person or via a service.
See the following link for an overview, and to download the application form: http://ie.china-embassy.org/eng/qzs/legalization/
Authentication Services
In most cases it will be easier (and in many cases more cost effective) to use a service that offers to complete all of the authentication steps on your behalf. It is important to ensure any notaries or solicitors you work with have a strong level of knowledge regarding the authentication process.
Opportunity China do not specifically recommend any of the services below, but have knowledge that these organisations have provided successful support to candidates in the past.
VP Notaries (UK)
Edward Young, Notary Public London (UK)
http://www.notarypublicinlondon.com/legalisation-requirements/china-peoples-republic/authentication/
Chinese Notary (USA)
http://www.chinesenotary.com/document-authentication-apostle.html
China Visa Service Centre (USA)
http://www.mychinavisa.com/document-authentication/
Visarite (USA)
http://www.visarite.com/authentication.htm#.VvIYmuJ96Uk
Eamonn G Hall, Notary Public (IRE)
http://www.notaryinstitute.ie/
or contact info@ehall.ie and info@notaryinstitute.ie