Beijing, a city brimming with job opportunities, has streamlined the process of obtaining work permits and work-type residence permits.

To better serve Beijing’s drive to develop itself into an international technological innovation center and the “Two Zones”, continuously improve its international business environment, and comprehensively help build Beijing into a world-class reservoir of best minds, the Beijing Overseas Talents Center and the Exit-Entry Administration of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau have jointly launched one-stop service for handling foreigners’ applications for the work and residence permits.

1. Who can apply?

All foreigners working in Beijing are entitled to the convenient one-stop application service for the two permits at any of the 15 one-stop service counters across the city.

2. Why to apply?

According to the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, foreigners who work in China shall obtain work permits and residence permits in accordance with relevant regulations. One-stop service applicants are to submit materials needed for the two permits at the same time, which will then be reviewed simultaneously with the two permits issued together, thus making the application process faster, easier and more efficient. From September 8, 2023, the applicant can collect the two permits in just five working days.

3. The service scope

(1) The application for the two permits by holders of the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit in China.

(2) The application for the two permits by foreigners holding a valid visa/residence permit who are already in the mainland (including the high-end talents (Category A) holding any kind of valid visa/residence permit, foreigners holding a reunion visa/residence permits, foreigners who want to transfer to another employer, and similar applicants).

(3) Those applying for the renewal of the two permits.

4. How to apply?

(1) Submit materials online:

The application shall be submitted by the employer in the Service System for Foreigners Working in China. Check the box next to the “One-Stop Service for Both Permits” in the System.

(2) Hand in materials on site:

After the application has passed the online pre-examination (one working day for Category A applicants, and three working days for Category B/C ones), they can make an appointment in the Service System for Foreigners Working in China (no appointment needed for Category A), and go to the one-stop service counter according to the appointment letter to submit the paper documents. There is no need to make another appointment with the Entry-Exit Administration.

(3) Collect the permits:

After the paper documents are reviewed on site, in principle the applicant can claim the two permits issued by the Entry-Exit Administration at the same time in five working days.

5. Materials needed to be submitted on site

For the work permit:

(1) The originals and copies of all attachments submitted by the employer in the Service System for Foreigners Working in China. Please check the official website of the Beijing Overseas Talents Center (www.8610hr.cn — Work Permit for Foreigners in China Application Guide.)

(2) Identity documents for the handlers. The applicant needs to provide their original passport, the name of the handler registered in the Service System for Foreigners Working in China, their identity document and other personnel of the employer, as well as a letter of introduction and the original and copy of their identity document.

For the residence permit:

(1) The applicant’s valid passport or international travel document;

(2) The Application Form for Foreigner Visa Documents filled in with a black ink pen and pasted with a recent 2-inch front color photo of their face with a white background and without any headwear;

(3) The applicant’s valid accommodation registration with the local police station of their place of residence or hotel;

(4) An opinion letter issued by the employer agreeing to apply for a residence permit.

6. Flow chart:

7. Contact information:

Source: Beijing Overseas Talents Center