> Source: https://thecastindex.com/modelling/china — application routes checked 2026-10-01. Generated at build time from the same data the page serves.

# How to become a model in China

Apply directly through an agency’s own website or published email: esee, Paras and Longteng take online applications, while SuperMii and AM Models ask for natural photos by email. Chinese law bars employers from hiring under-16s and bars anyone from finding them work, with an exception for arts and sports units that have a parent’s or guardian’s consent.

## Agencies and their official application routes

- **esee model management** (Shanghai) — online form: https://www.eseemodel.com/contact
- **Paras Talent Management** (Shanghai) — online form: https://www.paras.com.cn/#/joinus; height: Height is a required field on the form. The page states no minimum.
- **Longteng Management** (Beijing) — online form: http://www.longtengmodels.com/model-application.do; height: Height is a field on the form. The page states no minimum.
- **SuperMii Models** (Guangzhou) — email: http://www.supermii.com/contact; open call: Says it does not hold open calls.
- **AM Models** (Hangzhou) — email: https://www.ammodels.cn/#/joinus; height: For its Asian Face board it lists 170–180 cm for women and 180–190 cm for men, and says it may relax these for exceptional applicants.; age: Asian Face applicants must be 18 or over.
- **MO:STAR Models** (Shanghai) — email: https://www.mostar-models.com/contact

## How agencies recruit

- Most agencies listed here take applications through a form on their own website. Longteng’s form asks for four natural-daylight photos without make-up (full length, waist up, close-up and profile) and a short video showing your walk. (http://www.longtengmodels.com/model-application.do)
- Some agencies take applications by email instead. SuperMii asks for your height, age and location with a portrait, a profile and a full-length photo, says professional photos are not needed, and says it does not hold open calls. (http://www.supermii.com/contact)
- esee, which lists offices in eight Chinese cities, takes model applications through the “Model Application” option on the online enquiry form on its contact page. (https://www.eseemodel.com/contact)
- Some agencies also run training businesses: esee lists a training division, ESEE Fashion Academy, and Paras a model school. Their application pages listed here do not mention a course or a fee. (https://www.eseemodel.com/contact)
- Elite Model Look’s 2026 country list includes China, routed to the contest’s international entry site. (https://www.elitemodellook.com/int/en/about/2026/index.htm)

## Rules on fees, contracts and safeguarding

- The Labour Law bars employers from recruiting anyone under 16. Arts, sports and special-craft units that recruit under-16s must follow state rules and protect the child’s right to compulsory education (Article 15). Source: https://www.mohrss.gov.cn/xxgk2020/fdzdgknr/zcfg/fl/202011/t20201102_394625.html
- Workers aged 16 and 17 are “juvenile workers” with special protection: they may not be given mining, toxic or other prohibited heavy work, and employers must give them regular health checks (Articles 58, 64 and 65). Source: https://www.mohrss.gov.cn/xxgk2020/fdzdgknr/zcfg/fl/202011/t20201102_394625.html
- The Provisions on the Prohibition of Using Child Labour (State Council Decree 364) bar any organisation or individual from finding work for under-16s. The fine is 5,000 yuan per child, and a job agency that does so loses its licence (Articles 2 and 7). Source: https://www.mohrss.gov.cn/xxgk2020/fdzdgknr/zcfg/fg/202011/t20201103_394945.html
- Arts and sports units may recruit under-16 professional performers and athletes with a parent’s or guardian’s consent, and must protect their health and compulsory education (Article 13). The provisions do not mention modelling, so it is unclear whether modelling falls within this exception. Source: https://www.mohrss.gov.cn/xxgk2020/fdzdgknr/zcfg/fg/202011/t20201103_394945.html
- Under the Minors Protection Law (2020 revision), no one may recruit under-16s unless state rules allow it. Children may take part in performances and programme production only with a parent’s or guardian’s consent, and organisers must protect their rights (Article 61). Source: https://www.moj.gov.cn/pub/sfbgw/jgsz/jgszzsdw/zsdwflyzzx/flyzzxzcxx/zcxxzcfg/zcfgfl/202010/t20201023_188560.html
- The Advertising Law bars using children under ten as advertising endorsers. An endorser is someone other than the advertiser who recommends or vouches for a product in their own name or image (Articles 2 and 38). Source: https://fw.scjgj.sh.gov.cn/alc/law/11/1/20240117125913.html
- We found no national rule written specifically for modelling agency fees. Licensed job intermediaries may not give false job information, hold workers’ identity documents or take deposits from them (Employment Promotion Law, Articles 40 and 41). It is unclear whether a given modelling agency counts as a job intermediary. Source: https://www.mohrss.gov.cn/xxgk2020/fdzdgknr/zcfg/fl/202011/t20201102_394626.html

## Official model searches

- Elite Model Look (international entry): https://www.elitemodellook.com/int/en/about/2026/index.htm — Elite’s international model contest. Its 2026 country list includes China, routed to the international entry site. The terms set an entry window of 1 January to 31 December 2026, a minimum age of 14, and written parent or guardian consent for under-18s.

## FAQ

### Do modelling agencies in China charge to apply?

None of the application pages listed here asks for a fee. We found no national rule written specifically for modelling agency fees. Licensed job intermediaries may not take deposits from job-seekers or hold their identity documents. Some agencies, including esee and Paras, also run training businesses; the application pages listed here do not mention a course.

### Can under-16s model in China?

Chinese rules bar employers from recruiting under-16s and bar anyone from finding them work. Arts and sports units may recruit under-16 professional performers with a parent’s or guardian’s consent, but the rules do not mention modelling. Children may take part in performances only with a parent’s or guardian’s consent.

### Do I need professional photos to apply?

No, according to the agencies listed here. SuperMii says professional photos are not needed. Longteng asks for natural-daylight photos with no make-up, and AM Models asks for make-up-free photos without beauty filters.

### Is there a minimum height?

Most agencies listed here ask for your height without stating a minimum. AM Models lists 170–180 cm for women and 180–190 cm for men on its Asian Face board, and says it may relax these for exceptional applicants.

### Do Chinese agencies hold open calls?

None of the agencies listed here publishes open-call times, and SuperMii says it does not hold open calls. Apply through the agency’s own form or published email address.

### Can I enter Elite Model Look from China?

Yes. Elite Model Look’s 2026 country list includes China, routed to the international entry site. Entrants must be 14 or over, and under-18s need written consent from a parent or guardian.

## Sources

- MOHRSS — Labour Law of the PRC: https://www.mohrss.gov.cn/xxgk2020/fdzdgknr/zcfg/fl/202011/t20201102_394625.html
- MOHRSS — Provisions on the Prohibition of Using Child Labour: https://www.mohrss.gov.cn/xxgk2020/fdzdgknr/zcfg/fg/202011/t20201103_394945.html
- Ministry of Justice — Minors Protection Law of the PRC: https://www.moj.gov.cn/pub/sfbgw/jgsz/jgszzsdw/zsdwflyzzx/flyzzxzcxx/zcxxzcfg/zcfgfl/202010/t20201023_188560.html
- Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation — Advertising Law: https://fw.scjgj.sh.gov.cn/alc/law/11/1/20240117125913.html
- MOHRSS — Employment Promotion Law of the PRC: https://www.mohrss.gov.cn/xxgk2020/fdzdgknr/zcfg/fl/202011/t20201102_394626.html
- Elite Model Look — 2026: https://www.elitemodellook.com/int/en/about/2026/index.htm