Full analysis of work permits for foreigners in China: guidelines for the whole process from application to compliance

With the acceleration of globalization, China's demand for foreign talents is increasing. For foreigners planning to work in China, applying for a work permit is a key step in opening a new chapter in their career. This paper will systematically sort out the application conditions, processing procedures, required materials and compliance points of work permits for foreign personnel in China, so as to help foreign talents integrate into the Chinese market smoothly.

Core value of 1. work permit: "ID card" for legal work

The work permit for foreigners in China is the product of the Chinese government's system of unified access standards and approval and supervision for foreigners applying to work in China, and is the core certificate for foreigners to work legally in China. The certificate adopts the "one person, one number" lifelong system, with a built-in non-contact chip, which contains key information such as photos, names, passport numbers, license periods, and work units. In the future, it will realize information exchange and mutual recognition with public security, taxation, education and other departments.

Legal Protection : According to the the People's Republic of China Exit and Entry Administration Law, foreigners must hold both a work permit and a work-type residence permit to work in China. Those who fail to obtain the relevant documents will face fines, repatriation and other penalties, and may affect future eligibility for entry.

rights and interests protection : foreigners holding work permits can enjoy social security, personal income tax payment and other rights and interests according to law, so as to avoid labor disputes caused by identity problems. For example, a foreign engineer was owed wages by an enterprise for failing to apply for a work permit, and finally it was difficult to protect his rights due to insufficient evidence. However, colleagues who handled the documents in compliance successfully recovered the arrears through labor arbitration.

2. application conditions: differentiated admission for three types of talents

According to their professional background and market demand, China classifies foreigners into three categories: A, B and C, implement differentiated access policy:

1. category a (high-end talents): including scientists, science and technology leaders, international entrepreneurs and other "high-quality and top-notch" talents. Such talents can enjoy the following conveniences:
• no age, educational background and work experience restrictions;
• the whole process is handled online without submitting paper materials for verification;
• can obtain a work permit for up to 5 years.
  case : a Nobel laureate was invited to come to China to engage in scientific research. with internationally recognized professional achievement recognition standards, he was directly approved with a class a work permit, which took only 5 working days.

1. class B (professional talents): one of the following conditions must be met:
• has a bachelor's degree or above and 2 years or above relevant working experience, and is not more than 60 years old;
• hold an international general vocational skill qualification certificate or urgently needed skills;
• the average wage income shall not be less than 4 times of the average social wage income of the previous year in the region.
  case : a German mechanical engineer holds an international welding engineer certificate and has 5 years of industry experience. he has successfully obtained a class B work permit and served as a technical director in China.

1. category C (other personnel): mainly to meet the needs of the domestic labor market, such as interns, seasonal workers, etc. The number of such talents is limited by national policy and needs to be assessed through the point-based system.

3. processing process: five steps to complete compliance access

1. employer registration : enterprises need to open an account in the "management service system for foreigners coming to China" and submit business licenses, tax certificates and other materials, complete the subject qualification certification.
2. online declaration : after logging into the system, the employer will fill in the personal information, educational background, work experience, etc. of foreign personnel, and upload electronic materials, including:
• application form for work permit for foreigners in China;
• highest degree certificate and certification documents;
• no criminal record certificate;
• medical certificate;
• employment contract or work certificate.

1. pre-examination and acceptance : the acceptance institution shall complete the pre-examination of materials within 5 working days. after the pre-examination is passed, the employer shall submit the paper materials to the designated window for verification.
2. review and decision : the decision body completes the substantive review within 10 working days, focusing on verifying the authenticity of the application materials and the employer's credit record. Eligible persons will generate an Alien Work Permit Notice online.
3. Post-entry procedures : Foreigners apply for a Z visa on the basis of the Notice of Work Permit for Foreigners and complete their accommodation registration within 24 hours. After that, you need to go to the designated hospital for physical examination and apply for residence permit with electronic social security card, passport and other materials.

4. key materials: notarization and certification cannot be ignored

1. academic certificate : the original and translation of the highest degree certificate are required, overseas academic qualifications must be certified by Chinese embassies and consulates abroad or by the Service Center for Overseas Studies of the Ministry of Education.
2. No criminal record : issued by the police department of the country of nationality or place of permanent residence, and certified by Chinese embassies and consulates abroad. Some countries (such as the United States) require notarization through a state government designated agency.
3. work experience certificate : the resignation certificate and translation document issued by the former employer shall be provided, and the content shall include key information such as position, working hours, salary, etc.
4. Medical examination certificate : the medical examination should be completed in the international travel health care center designated by the inspection and quarantine authorities of China, including infectious disease screening, mental health assessment, etc.

5. compliance points: avoid the risk of "household registration"

1. timely change and cancellation : when foreign personnel change work units or leave their jobs, they need to apply for work permit change or cancellation within 10 working days. Those who do not deal with it in time will face the risk of document failure.
2. Residence Permit Renewal : The validity period of the work permit is usually the same as that of the residence permit, and it is necessary to apply for renewal 30 days before the expiration date. Those who fail to do so will constitute illegal residence.
3. family reunion policy : after the main applicant is granted a work permit, his spouse and minor children can apply for a residence permit for private affairs with proof of kinship and enjoy the legal residence rights in China.

Future trend of 6.: digitalization and internationalization go hand in hand

With the deepening of the reform of "management service, the process of handling work permits for foreign personnel will continue to be optimized:

• the whole process will be electronic : some areas have piloted electronic visas and electronic residence permits to realize" one netcom office ";
• credit management : simplify the material verification process for employers and applicants with good credit;
• international mutual recognition : work permit information will be gradually exchanged with APEC business travel card, EU blue card and other international documents to improve the convenience of foreign talent flow.

For foreigners planning to work in China, understanding policies, preparing materials and handling compliance in advance are the key to opening a new chapter in their career. Through systematic planning, foreign talents can not only realize their personal value in China, but also contribute to China's economic and social development.