Visa and Work Permit Procedures for Foreigners in China

Helping foreign candidates apply for visas and work permits in China requires a series of laws, regulations and procedures. The following are detailed steps and precautions:

1. confirmation of employment conditions

1. Legitimacy of the position

The employer needs to prove that the position really needs to employ foreigners and cannot meet the demand in the domestic talent market.

positions must conform to the "classification standards for foreigners to work in China" (category a: high-end talents, category B: professionals, category c: ordinary laborers).

2. Candidate qualification

Class A/B talents: they must meet the requirements of academic qualifications (e.g. bachelor degree or above), working experience (e.g. more than 2 years of relevant experience), salary (not less than 46 times of the local average salary), etc.

Category C talents: must meet the requirements of specific labor dispatch or government agreement projects.

2. to apply for the "Foreigner Work Permit Notice"

1. Registration of the employer

Register an account with the "Foreigner Work Management Service System in China" (https://fwp.safea.gov.cn), submit unit information (business license, legal person identity certificate, etc.).

2. Submit application materials

Fill in the Application Form for Work Permit for Foreigners in China.

Candidate materials:

Scanned copy of the first page of the passport (valid for more than 6 months).

Bareheaded and white background photos within 6 months (electronic version).

Education certificate and certification (must be certified by Chinese embassies and consulates abroad or the Ministry of Education).

Work qualification certificate (issued by the original employer, to be notarized).

Certificate of no criminal record (notarized by country of nationality and certified by Chinese embassy or consulate).

Medical examination report (issued by the designated agency of Chinese embassies and consulates abroad).

Employment contract or certificate of employment (please specify position, salary, working place, etc.).

3. Approval process

It usually takes 515 working days for the local science and technology bureau (foreign experts bureau) to review the materials.

After approval, the system generates a Notice of Work Permit for Foreigners (to be printed for visa application).

3. to apply for Z visa (work visa)

1. Candidates apply for Z visa abroad

with the original "Notice of Work Permit for Foreigners", passport, visa application form and medical examination report wait, apply for Z visa from Chinese embassies and consulates abroad.

Some countries require additional documentation (e. g. invitation).

2. Post-entry precautions

The Z visa is usually valid for 30 days and requires a work permit and residence permit as soon as possible after entry.

4. to apply for a Work Permit for Foreigners

1. Submit the materials

original passport and Z visa page.

Original Notice of Work Permit for Foreigners.

Temporary accommodation registration certificate (to be declared to the local police station within 24 hours after entry).

Domestic medical examination report (to be re-examined at a designated institution, such as Beijing International Travel Health Care Center).

Original labor contract.

2. Obtaining the certificate

After approval, obtain the "Foreigner Work Permit" (entity card), valid for 15 years, consistent with the labor contract.

5. for residence permit

1. Application materials

Original passport and work permit.

Temporary accommodation registration certificate.

Forms required by local immigration authorities (e. g. Application Form for Alien Visa Documents).

Health certificate (domestic medical examination report).

2. Process

Submit the application to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the local public security bureau and obtain approval in about 715 working days.

The residence permit is usually valid for the same period as the work permit, up to a maximum of 5 years.

6. follow-up management

1. Change/extension/cancellation

Changes in position, passport, address, etc. must be reported within 10 days.

Apply for an extension 30 days before the work permit expires.

Upon termination of employment, the work permit and residence permit must be canceled within 10 days.

2. Legal liability

Employers must ensure that foreigners are legally employed, otherwise they may face fines (10,010 million yuan) or criminal liability.

Precautions

1. Policy differences

Different cities (such as Shanghai and Shenzhen) may have detailed regulations, and it is necessary to consult the local science and technology bureau or the entry-exit administration in advance.

2. Time planning

The whole process takes 23 months. It is recommended to prepare materials in advance (if there is no criminal record certification, it takes a long time).

3. Professional assistance

Foreign human resources service agencies or law firms may be entrusted to represent complex cases.

Through the above process, the employer can legally handle the procedures for foreign candidates to work in China. It is recommended to pay close attention to the latest policies of the National Immigration Administration (https://www.nia.gov.cn) and the Dependencies.