I. Eligibility criteria

1. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, in good health, have no criminal record, provide proof of employment in China, and possess the necessary professional skills or knowledge for the job.

2. The job must align with China's economic and social development needs and be in a field with a shortage of professionals.

3. Applicants must hold a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field:

• STEM PhD graduates: Must have graduated within the last five years from a university ranked in the top 200 globally and be 40 years old or younger.
• STEM Master's degree holders: Must have graduated from a top 500 global university or a "Double First-Class" university in China.
• STEM Bachelor's degree holders: Must have graduated from a top 500 global university in a STEM field and be employed in a job related to their field of study.

4. Applicants must abide by applicable laws and regulations for foreign nationalities working in China.

II. Required documents

A. Applying from abroad

1. Application form for work permit for foreigners in China: Complete online, print, sign, and stamp with the employer's official seal before uploading.

2. Highest degree certificate and verification:

• If obtained abroad, verify through a Chinese embassy or consulate, or the applicant's national embassy or consulate in China, or a Chinese academic certification body.
• If obtained in Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan, certification by a Chinese academic body or local notary is required.
• If obtained in the Chinese mainland, only the original degree certificate is needed.

3. No criminal record certificate and verification:

• Issued by relevant authorities, such as the police, security, or court authorities of the applicant's home country or place of habitual residence, and certified by a Chinese or foreign embassy or consulate in China. "Habitual residence" means living continuously for over a year outside the country of nationality, excluding China.
• Certificates from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan require local notarization.
• Must be issued within the last six months.
• Self-declared affidavits are not accepted.
• Non-affidavit certificates from diplomatic entities can be accepted without further authentication.

4. Passport or international travel document: Information page, valid for at least six months.

5. Health certificate: Issued by a Chinese inspection and quarantine agency, dated within the last six months. If applying for the work permit from abroad, applicants may submit a health commitment letter instead.

6. Employment contract or proof of employment:

• A Chinese-language employment contract, signed by the applicant and stamped with the company seal, is required without alteration. The contract or proof of employment (including letters of assignment from multinational companies) must detail the work location, job responsibilities, salary, employment duration in China, position, and include a stamped or signed page.
• Proof of employment is necessary for those involved in intergovernmental or international organization agreements, chief representatives, representatives of various offices in China, and overseas contract service providers. Letters of assignment issued by the headquarters are required when multinational headquarters or regional headquarters send senior management or technical personnel to Chinese subsidiaries or branches.
• If the proof of employment (including letters of assignment) lacks essential details, supplementary documentation is needed. When regional headquarters in China dispatch senior management or technical personnel to Chinese subsidiaries or branches, both a letter of assignment and an employment contract signed with the regional headquarters in China are required.

7. Recent passport-sized photo: Submit a recent, front-facing electronic photo with a white background and no borders. The photo must clearly show the full facial features without spots or defects. Avoid wearing hats or headscarves unless for religious reasons, ensuring they do not cover the face.

8. Additional documents:

• Proof of university ranking and academic transcripts.
• Report explaining the job’s relevance to the applicant's field.
• Any additional documents requested by the permit processing agency.

B. Applying from within China

1. Application form for work permit for foreigners in China: As above.

2. Highest degree certificate and verification: As above.

3. No criminal record certificate and verification: As above.

4. Valid passport and visa or residence permit: Passport information page, visa page, latest entry stamp, or residence permit page.

5. Health certificate: As above, but holders of a valid residence permit are exempt.

6. Employment contract or job offer: As above.

7. Recent passport-sized photo: As above.

8. Cancellation or resignation certificate: Required if changing employers or positions within China.

9. Additional documents: As above.

III. Verification requirements

The "Work Permit for Foreigners in China" process is entirely online. Applicants must present original documents upon arrival to China for verification. For applications from abroad, verification must occur within one month of entry. For applications from within China, verification must occur after preliminary approval.

IV. Notes

1. "Double First-Class" universities in China are listed officially by the government.

2. High-ranking universities abroad can be referenced from rankings by Times Higher Education, U.S. News & World Report, QS World University Rankings, and ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Source: Shanghai International Talent at www.sh-italent.com