Policy basis

Notice on Issuing the Service Guide to the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China (Trial) (No. 36 [2017] State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs)

1. What is in-country application?

This option allows foreign professionals who are legally residing in China with valid visas or residence permits to obtain work permits without exiting China.

2. How to choose between in-country or overseas application login portals?

Foreigners physically present within the People’s Republic of China must select the in-country login portal when applying for a work permit. Those outside Chinese territory should use the overseas portal. The foreigner’s work permit notification issued for overseas applications will be forwarded to the chosen Chinese embassy/consulate abroad to obtain a Z Visa.

3. Do in-country applications require medical certification?

Yes. Submit either a physical examination record verification certificate, or ahealth examination certificate issued by Chinese inspection and quarantine authorities within the last six months. Foreigners switching employers are exempt from this requirement.

4. Requirements for foreign workers changing employers in China

To change employers domestically, foreigners must retain their original position/occupation and possess a valid work-type residence permit.

Special cases:

a) Expired/canceled permits: Submit a stay visa issued within 30 days

b) Position changes: File under “In-country New Application”

5. Are medical or criminal record checks required for in-country employer changes?

No.

6. Is cancellation required for valid work permits while changing domestic employers?

Yes. A valid foreigner’s work permitmust be canceled prior to employer transition. The new employment contract’s commencement date shall be subsequent to the effective date of cancellation.

7. Supplementary materials for points-based work permit applications

When applying through the points-based system, submit evidence supporting claimed points:

• Salary commitment letter
• Highest academic credential
• Professional license(s)
• Work history verification
• Annual working hours record
• HSK certificate
• Fortune Global 500 employment proof
• Patent documentation

8. What additional materials must be submitted for salary commitment-based applications?

For applications involving salary commitment matters, the employing unit and foreign applicant must submit a salary commitment letter. This document shall include commitments regarding annual/monthly income, tax payment location, etc, affixed with the employer’s official seal and signed by the foreign applicant. The template for the salary commitment letter can be obtained by scanning the QR code below:



9. What is the approval timeline for in-country applications?

Pre-approval: Three working days (one working day for Category A high-level foreign talent)

Online acceptance: Within two working days after pre-approval clearance

Note: The acceptance date is excluded from timeline calculations

Formal review: Five working days (fully online process)

10. When can the work residence permit be processed?

Upon approval of the in-country application, the following documents must be printed from the system:

• Work permit notification for foreigners
• Administrative licensing decision

Applicants must then visit immigration authorities to apply for the work residence permit for foreigners in China. (Inquiry hotline: 12367)

Source: Beijing Overseas Talents Center