Work & residence · Permits
Work and residence permits for China
To work legally in China you normally need two things: a work permit from the science-and-technology (foreign talent) authority, and a work-type residence permit from the public security exit-entry administration. This page explains who qualifies, what to prepare, and the exact order of steps.
Checked against official sources on 13 October 2026. Rules change — confirm with the issuing authority before you apply. Sources at the bottom.
At a glance
The three documents that matter
Since 2017 the two old permits ("foreign expert" and "foreign worker") have been merged into a single work-permit system. In practice you will handle three documents, in this order.
| Document | What it is | Who issues it | When you need it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreigner's Work Permit Notification | A pre-approval saying a Chinese employer may hire you for a specific job. | Provincial foreign-talent / science-and-technology authority, through the official online system | Before you leave home — you take it to the embassy for your Z visa |
| Foreigner's Work Permit | The card that proves you are authorized to work in China. A physical card. | Same authority | After you arrive, usually within 15 days of entry |
| Work-type Residence Permit | The permit that lets you live in China for the job. It is a residence document, not a visa. | Public security exit-entry administration where the employer is located | Within 30 days of entry |
The notification is valid for 3 months from the date it is issued, and it is not a visa — you still need a visa sticker (usually Z). Verified · official source
Who can get a work permit
The A / B / C classification
China sorts foreign workers into three classes under its classification standard. The class decides the paperwork, the age and education limits, and the convenience measures you get.
| Class | Who it covers | Key thresholds |
|---|---|---|
| A — high-end talent | Scientists, science and technology leaders, international entrepreneurs and special talents that China urgently needs, plus anyone who scores enough points. | No age, degree or work-experience limits. Gets fast-track and "commitment-based" handling, where some documents can be declared instead of submitted. A work permit can run up to 5 years. |
| B — professional talent | Professionals filling genuinely needed roles under China's guidance catalog — including foreign language teachers. | Bachelor's degree or higher plus 2 or more years of relevant work experience; usually under 60. Language teachers must normally teach their mother tongue and hold a bachelor's or higher plus 2 years of language-teaching experience (which can be waived with a teaching, education or language degree, or a recognized teaching certificate). |
| C — other workers | Other foreign workers who fit current rules: temporary or short-term roles (90 days or less), and people under quota-managed programs such as government-agreement interns. | Meets the general work rules; numbers are managed by quota. Class C is deliberately more restrictive. |
The employer's side
What the Chinese employer must show
A work permit is issued to the employer for a specific job. The employer has to meet its own conditions before the authority will look at your file.
A legal, clean employer
The employer must be lawfully established with no serious law-breaking or credibility violations. Where a sector regulator must approve first (schools, hospitals, media and similar), that approval must be in place.
A job a local cannot easily fill
The post must genuinely need a foreigner — a special requirement with no suitable Chinese candidate available — and the salary offered must not be below the local minimum wage.
Your employer registers on the official online service system and files the application there; you cannot apply on your own. Verified · official source
Documents
What you will need to prepare
Gather these early — foreign documents often need consular legalization or verification, which takes time.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid, with blank pages for the visa and permits. |
| Work-permit application form | Completed by the employer in the official online system. |
| Highest degree or diploma | May need consular legalization or verification. Some A-class applicants may use a signed declaration instead. |
| Work-experience proof | Evidence of at least 2 years of relevant experience for B class. Some A-class applicants may use a declaration. |
| Criminal-record certificate | Issued by your home country (or country of last residence) and legalized or authenticated. It should normally be issued within the last 6 months. Some A-class applicants may use a declaration. |
| Medical examination certificate | From a Chinese inspection-and-quarantine agency, or an approved overseas clinic. Normally issued within the last 6 months. Some A-class applicants may declare before entry and submit the certificate afterward. |
| Employment contract or engagement letter | Covers the job, location, duties, salary, term, and carries signatures and the company seal. |
| Professional qualification | Only where the profession is regulated in China and requires one. |
| Accompanying-family documents | If family come with you: their passports, proof of relationship, medical reports for members aged 18 and over, and photos. |
The exact list depends on your class (A, B or C), your profession and the local authority. The A-class declaration options above apply only to certain A-class routes — not to everyone. Summary — confirm current rules
The process
From job offer to residence permit
Two deadlines after you land matter more than anything else: 15 days for the work permit card and 30 days for the residence permit, both counted from the date you enter on the valid visa.
Employer applies online
Your employer — or a filing representative it authorizes — creates an account on the official Foreigners Working in China management service system and submits the work-permit application.
Work Permit Notification is issued
Once approved, the employer prints the Foreigner's Work Permit Notification online. It is valid for 3 months and is not a visa.
Get your Z visa
Take the notification and your other documents to a Chinese embassy or consulate and apply for a Z visa (in some cases an F or R visa). See the Z visa guide.
Travel to China
Enter on the visa. Do not start work — and do not let your employer start you — until the permits below are in hand.
Collect the Foreigner's Work Permit
Within 15 days of entry on the valid visa, the employer applies online for the work permit and collects the card from the local foreign-talent office.
Apply for the work-type residence permit
Within 30 days of entry, apply in person at the public security exit-entry administration where the employer is located, with your passport, photo and the work permit.
A- and R-class applicants get shorter decision times (often around 5 working days) and some can apply from inside China without leaving. Verified · official source
After you have it
Validity, renewal and changing jobs
How long it lasts
A work-type residence permit runs from 90 days up to 5 years; the exit-entry authority sets the length for your case. A work permit for A-class talent can be issued for up to 5 years. Official source Official source Verified · official source
Renewal
Apply to extend before it expires. A decision is made within 15 days of the receipt of your complete application, so file early — never let the permit lapse while you wait. Official source, Article 30 Verified · official source
Changing employer
Changing employer normally means a new work-permit application. If the job type stays the same and your work residence permit is still valid, you may be able to apply from inside China. Moving to a different job type always needs a fresh application. Official source Official source Verified · official source
Family
Bringing your spouse and children
Who can come
Your spouse, children under 18, parents and parents-in-law can come as accompanying family on your work-permit file. For family of a work or study permit holder, the S1 visa covers stays over 180 days and the S2 visa covers shorter visits. See the S visa guide.
What they prepare
Their passports, proof of the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate), medical reports for anyone aged 18 or over, and photos. An S1 holder converts to a residence permit after arrival, usually alongside yours.
Which S visa fits, and what a family member can do on it, depends on the individual case. Summary — confirm current rules
Related guides
Keep reading
The Z visa
The visa you use to arrive once your work permit notification is approved.
Z visa guide →Permanent residence
The "Five-Star Card" for foreigners who want to stay indefinitely.
Permanent residence →Policy updates
Dated changes to visa-free entry, transit rules and residence policy.
Policy page →Enjoyed this guide?
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Sources & disclaimer
Facts on this page are linked to the official sources below, checked on 13 October 2026. Requirements, fees and timelines change — always confirm with the issuing authority. This page is for reference only — official sources prevail; always check the latest version with the relevant Chinese authority. General information, not legal advice.
- Ministry of Science and Technology service platform — Foreigner's Work Permit in China: employer and applicant conditions, and the A/B/C classes
- Ministry of Science and Technology — Classification Standard for Foreigners Working in China (trial): A/B/C definitions, the 85-point and 60-point thresholds, and the scoring factors
- Ministry of Science and Technology — FAQ on the Foreigner's Work Permit: the 15-day and 30-day after-entry deadlines, the application flow and the document list
- Ministry of Science and Technology — Service Guide for the Foreigner's Work Permit (interim): legal basis, class quotas, materials, the 3-month notification validity and in-country applications
- National Immigration Administration — Guide for foreigners applying for visas and residence documents (and the port-visa guide): the 30-day residence-permit window, the five residence-permit types, and validity of 90 days to 5 years
- Ministry of Science and Technology — Measures for the R (talent) visa: 5-to-10-year multiple-entry visas for A-class talent and their families
- National Immigration Administration — Exit and Entry Administration Law, Article 30: a decision on an application to extend a residence document is made within 15 days of the receipt of the application materials