The situation: A foreigner enters on a tourist (L) visa and starts working at his friend's company for a monthly wage with no work permit, no work (Z) visa and no work residence.
Applicable law: Working in China requires a work (Z) visa, then a work permit and work residence. Working on a tourist or visit visa is 'illegal employment,' penalized on the foreigner by fines and possible detention and deportation, on the employer by fines, and by confiscation of illegal gains. An 'intermediary' arranging illegal employment is also penalized.
Outcome: Both the foreigner and the employer were fined, the foreigner deported in the worst case, and he lost the chance at lawful work later.
🛂 Residence & visas · Awareness case
Working on a Tourist Visa — Illegal Employment · Yalla China
🤝 Governing law: 出境入境管理法 / Exit and Entry Administration Law
Can you work in China on any visa as long as you work hard?
Illustrative, general educational examples — not real specific facts and not legal advice; for awareness only. For an actual situation, consult a licensed lawyer.
🎓 The lesson / takeaway
Lesson: Your visa type defines what you may do. Don't work for a single yuan until your visa is a proper work visa.
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026