Domestic Application for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China by Foreign High-End Talent

I. Target Applicants

(I) Basic Requirements for Employers

1. The employer must be legally established, have a physical business premise, pay taxes and social insurance in accordance with the law, and have no record of serious law violations or dishonesty. The position offered to the foreign national must be of special need, with no suitable local candidates available temporarily, and must comply with relevant national regulations. The wage and salary paid to the foreign employee must not be lower than the local minimum wage and salary standard.

2. If laws or regulations require prior approval by the competent industry authority, the employer shall obtain such approval.

(II) Basic Requirements for Applicants

1. The applicant shall be at least 18 years old, in good health and with no criminal record, have a confirmed employer in China, and possess the professional skills or corresponding level of knowledge required for their work.

2. The applicant has obtained the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-End Talent and has entered China with an R visa.

3. If laws or regulations specify other conditions for foreigners working in China, such provisions shall apply.

II. Requirements for Submission of Documents

1. All original paper documents and their Chinese translations shall be uploaded electronically to the Service System for Foreigners Working in China.

2. Non-Chinese supporting documents shall be accompanied by Chinese translations, bearing the official seal of the employer (excluding passports or international travel documents).

III.Required Documents

1. Application Form for the Foreigner's Work Permit in China: To be completed and printed online. The applicant must sign the form, which must then be stamped with the employer's official seal or the seal of the authorized department within the employer's organization, and uploaded to the system.

2. Medical Examination Certificate: A physical examination record verification certificate or health check certificate issued by a Chinese inspection and quarantine institution for foreign nationals shall be provided, and the date of issuance must be within the past six months. 

3. Employment Contract or Appointment Certificate: A Chinese version of the contract shall be provided. It must be signed by the applicant and affixed with the official seal of the employer. No alterations are allowed. The employment contract or appointment certificate (including assignment letters from multinational corporations) must include essential details such as the workplace, job duties, salary, duration of work in China, position, and the signature/seal page. An appointment certificate applies to personnel performing duties under intergovernmental or international organization agreements, chief representatives and representatives of various representative offices in China, and foreign contractual service providers. Assignment letters apply to cases where a multinational corporation headquarters or regional headquarters dispatches senior executives including managers or professional technical personnel from overseas to work at subsidiaries or branch offices in China. Such letters must be issued by the headquarters or regional headquarters of the multinational corporation. If the appointment certificate (including assignment letter) lacks any of the required information, a supplementary certificate shall be provided separately. For cases where a multinational corporation's regional headquarters in China dispatches senior executives including managers or professional technical personnel to subsidiaries or branch offices in China, both the assignment letter and the employment contract signed with the regional headquarters in China shall be submitted.

4. Applicant's Passport or International Travel Document: Information page of the passport or international travel document. The passport must have a remaining validity of no less than six months.

5. Applicant's Valid Talent Visa (R Visa): The R visa page and the most recent entry stamp page of the passport (or international travel document).

6. Applicant's Front-Facing Bareheaded Photo Taken Within the Last Six Months: A recent electronic photo with a white background, no border, full facial features visible, clear , and free of spots, blemishes, or ink defects. Wearing hats or headscarves is not recommended. If required for religious reasons, the accessory must not cover the applicant's full face.

7. Other Documents:

(1) Proof of Work Experience: Required for foreign high-end talent who (III) meets market-oriented encouraged positions; (IV) is categorized as innovative and entrepreneurial talent; or (V) is categorized as outstanding young talent, as defined in the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A).

(2) Highest Degree (Qualification) Certificate: Required for foreign high-end talent who (V) is categorized as outstanding young talent as defined in the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A). The certificate and its authentication documents must be submitted.

(3) Additional documents as required by the acceptance or decision-making authority based on specific needs.

IV. Important Notes

Documents that have already been submitted in the Service System for Foreigners Working in China during the application for the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-End Talent do not need to be resubmitted when the applicant applies for the Foreigner's Work Permit in China.

V. Approval Timeframes

1. Pre-Review Period:

Five working days (based on the submission of complete and compliant documents; preliminary review and acceptance are processed together).

2. Review Period:

Three working days (based on the documents accepted online).

In special circumstances where an extension of the review period is required, the accepting or decision-making authority will handle the matter at its discretion.

Attached:

1、Employer Registration on Foreigners Working in China

2、Application for the Foreigner's Work Permit in China (Categories A/B)