China to Introduce Nationwide Work Permit System for Foreigners Starting April 1
(Yicai Global) March 31 — China will put in place a nationwide work permit system for foreigners starting April 1.
Under the new system, foreigners working in China must apply for a unified work permit for foreign employees, rather than a foreign expert work permit or an employment license for foreign employees as before, Xinhua News Agency quoted Zhang Jianguo, deputy minister of human resources and social security and director of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, as saying yesterday.
Long-time foreign workers in China holding a new work permit for foreign employees will have one code per person, which will remain unchanged throughout their lifetime, so that their work administration, services and credit information will be dynamically managed and recorded, said Zhang.
Under the new scheme, foreigners receiving an online notice of work permit for foreign employees may undergo visa-application formalities at Chinese embassies and consulates overseas with a valid passport or identity document. An invitation letter or a confirmation of invitation letter, as previously required, is no longer necessary.
Top foreign talents meeting the relevant conditions may complete the entire processes online without having to submit paper materials for review. Top foreign talents already in China may apply for the work permit for foreign employees in the country.
A unified management and service system for foreigners in China will also be established in future to help facilitate online applications, record processes, store online data and provide convenience for businesses.
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