I. Eligibility

1. Employers should be legally registered entities with the capacity to hire foreign experts.

2. Foreign experts should have clear work tasks and detailed schedules during their stay in China.

3. Employers should ensure sufficient financial support for foreign experts.

4. Foreign high-end talents (Category A) who meet the Evaluation Criteria for Foreigners Employed in China (Trial) or the Criteria for Identifying Highly-skilled, Sophisticated, and Cutting-edge Foreign Talents in Shanghai (Trial), or who comply with the Notice on Further Improving Procedures for the Short-term Stay of Foreign Experts in China, can apply for the invitation letter.

II. Submission requirements

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

2. Non-Chinese documents should be translated into Chinese and stamped with the employer's official seal (except for passports or international travel certificates).

III. Required documents

1. Application letter: The letter should include the applicant's details, purpose of visit, duration of stay, cost arrangements, and the employer's guarantees for authenticity and financial support. The letter should be stamped with the employer's official seal.

2. Application form: The official application form for the invitation letter should be stamped with the employer's seal.

3. Passport or international travel certificate of the foreign expert.

4. Short-term employment contract or dispatch letter: A copy should be stamped with the employer's seal and signed by the legal representative or foreign affairs officer.

5. Other supporting documents: Additional documents may be required by the issuing authority, such as proof of high-end talent (Category A).

IV. Notes

1. Applicants with the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts in China can apply for an F visa and do not need to apply for a work-type residence permit upon entry.

2. For positions requiring pre-approval by industry authorities or specific qualifications, additional approval documents should be provided.

3. Employers and foreign experts should ensure the authenticity of submitted documents and cooperate with any interviews or additional verification required by approving authorities. False submissions may result in revoked approvals and restrictions on future applications, with legal violations to be handled accordingly.

V. Application procedure

1. Applications are submitted by employers via the Service System for Foreigners Working in China.

2. Applications are reviewed by authorities, who will notify employers of the results within five workdays (excluding the submission date).

3. The decision-making authority conducts a review and issues a decision within five workdays, without requiring paper documents.

4. Approved applicants are issued the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts in China.

5. Foreign experts can apply for an F visa (valid for up to 90 days) at a Chinese visa authority abroad with the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts in China and supporting documents.

VI. Review timeline

• Preliminary review: Completed within five workdays after the employer submits complete and qualified documents online.

• Final decision: Made within five workdays after the preliminary review is completed.

For special circumstances requiring extensions, the reviewing or decision-making authority will make appropriate arrangements.

Source: sh-italent.com