China joined the Apostille Convention on 7 November 2023. New Zealand documents for China now need an apostille, not legalisation at the Chinese Embassy. For a work permit and Z visa, employers usually ask for an apostilled NZ police certificate and an apostilled degree, often a recent police certificate. We obtain your criminal record from the Ministry of Justice, work out whether the degree must be notarised, and send the finished, apostilled set to your school. Each apostille from NZ$116.
What we prepare for China
| Your situation | NZ documents | What we take care of |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching or working (work permit, Z visa) | NZ police certificate (criminal record) | Request it for you, then apostille it so it's recent when your employer applies |
| Teaching or working (work permit, Z visa) | Degree, sometimes a TEFL certificate | Check whether it can be apostilled directly or needs a notarised copy first, then apostille |
| Marrying a Chinese citizen in China | Certificate of No Impediment and NZ birth certificate | Apply for the CNI, get a fresh birth certificate from BDM, apostille both |
| Residence permit for a spouse or children | NZ marriage and children's birth certificates | Supply new BDM copies with apostilles, so the family file matches |
| Company or business use | Company extracts, powers of attorney | Notary Public where needed, then apostille |
How it works with us
- Forward the school's checklistPlus the date your contract starts.
- Criminal record orderedFrom the Ministry of Justice, on your authority.
- Degree sortedUniversity-signed or notarised copy, whichever DIA will accept.
- Both apostilledIn the format your school's foreign affairs office wants.
- Posted to ChinaTracked, to you or the school's HR team.
What it costs
| Service | All in |
|---|---|
| Criminal record obtained on your behalf | NZ$35 |
| Each apostille, e.g. criminal record or degree | From NZ$116 |
| Marriage or birth certificate, new copy + apostille | From NZ$198 |
| Degree or TEFL certificate that must be notarised first | One price including the notary |
| Tracked post to mainland China | Added to your quote |
Every figure already includes GST and the government charges. Most teachers need two apostilles and a courier, and we price the whole Z visa set in one quote before you pay anything. See pricing.
Why older guides are wrong
Many websites still describe the old route for China: notary, then New Zealand authentication, then legalisation at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate. Since 7 November 2023, that embassy step no longer applies to New Zealand public documents. Paying for it now costs time and money for nothing.
What hasn't changed: the document still has to be the right one. A degree certificate may need a notarised copy before it can be apostilled, and Chinese employers often want a police certificate issued in the last few months. We check both before anything is lodged.
Mistakes that cost weeks
- Booking an embassy legalisation appointment for a document that only needs an apostille
- Ordering the criminal record months before the school files the work permit
- Sending a photocopy of a degree with no notary or university signature on it
- Posting a printout of an e-apostille to a school that asked for the paper original
- A middle name on the passport that is missing from the degree certificate
Our part is the New Zealand paperwork. The Chinese authorities and your school decide on the work permit itself.
Frequently asked questions
Does China accept an apostille from New Zealand?
Yes. China joined the Apostille Convention on 7 November 2023. NZ public documents for mainland China now take an apostille instead of Chinese Embassy legalisation.
Which documents do I need for a China work permit?
Employers usually ask for an apostilled NZ police certificate and an apostilled degree, plus documents prepared in China. Your employer's list is final, and we prepare the NZ part.
Does my degree need a notary before the apostille?
Sometimes. It depends on who signed the document. We check yours and quote all in, including any notary fee.
How recent must the police certificate be?
Many Chinese employers and authorities want a recent certificate, often issued within the last few months. We time the request so it's current when your employer applies.
What does a typical China work permit set cost?
The criminal record is NZ$35, and each apostille starts at NZ$116 including GST and government fees. A degree that must be notarised first is priced with the notary included. You get one total before paying.
Will you post the documents to my school in China?
Yes. We send them by tracked courier to the school's HR or foreign affairs office, or to you if you would rather carry them.
Sources
NZ Document Assist Limited is an independent company, not a government agency. We are not a law firm, Notary Public or licensed immigration adviser and do not give legal or immigration advice.