China

You'll need to authenticate these documents.

Your degree certificate

Your background check/CRB/ACRO

Your TEFL certificate, your teaching certificate.

Are you bringing your spouse with you?

You may need to authenticate your marriage license.

 

Are you bringing children with you?

You'll need to authenticate their birth certificate(s).

 

We complete the following, so you can concentrate on the big move. 

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Step 1. Document checks and notarisation by a registered notary.

Step 2. Apostille from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

Step 3. Delivery to you or your future employer.

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Guide to UK Document Legalisation for Teaching in China

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Q: Do I need a Chinese Embassy stamp for my work visa documents?

A: No. As of November 7, 2023, China officially joined the Hague Apostille Convention. This means that the traditional requirement for consular legalisation at the Chinese Embassy in the UK has been abolished. A single FCDO apostille on your UK documents is now legally sufficient for them to be accepted directly by Chinese local authorities.

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Q: How do I legalise a UK-issued TEFL certificate for China?

A: Because TEFL certificates are usually issued by private UK companies rather than public registries, they cannot go straight to the government for an apostille. The certificate must first be certified by a registered UK notary or solicitor. Following this solicitor certification, the document is submitted to the FCDO Legalisation Office to receive its apostille.

 

Q: What documents exactly do I need to legalise for a Chinese Z visa?

A: While you should always confirm the exact list with your employer, the standard requirement is typically your university degree, a TEFL/TESOL certificate, and a criminal record check (such as a basic DBS or ACRO police certificate) that is no more than 6 months old.

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