Employer eligibility

• Employers must be legally established in China, maintain a physical office, pay taxes and social insurance in accordance with the law, and hold a clean compliance record. The position offered must be of special necessity, with no suitable domestic candidates available, and must not violate Chinese laws and regulations. The salary must meet or exceed the local minimum wage.
• If the position requires prior approval from a competent industry authority, the employer must secure this approval before submitting the application.

Applicant requirements

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old, in good health, and with no criminal record. They must be employed by a confirmed domestic company and possess the necessary professional skills or relevant knowledge.
• Applicants must have already obtained a Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents and entered China with an R visa.
• Other cases are subject to specific laws and regulations.

Document submission standards

• All application materials must be uploaded digitally to the Service System for Foreigners Working in China.
• Any non-Chinese documents (except passports or international travel documents) must be accompanied by official Chinese translations, stamped by the employer.

Application materials required

• Foreigner's Work Permit application form: The form must be completed online, printed out, signed, stamped with the official seal of the employer or an authorized department, and uploaded to the system.
• A physical examination certificate issued by Chinese inspection and quarantine institutions. The certificate must be issued within the past six months.
• Employment contract or appointment certificate:

>> A Chinese version of the contract is required, signed by the applicant and stamped by the employer without alterations.

>> The employment contract or appointment certificate (or a dispatch letter from a multinational corporation) must clearly state the work location, job duties, salary, duration of employment in China, position, and include a page with the official seal and signature.

>> An appointment certificate applies to individuals working under intergovernmental or international organization agreements, chief representatives and representatives of various representative offices in China, and overseas contract service providers.

>> A dispatch letter applies when a multinational corporation's headquarters or regional headquarters assigns senior managers or technical experts from abroad to work at a subsidiary or branch in China. The dispatch letter must be issued by the headquarters or regional headquarters.

>> If the appointment certificate (including the dispatch letter) lacks any required information, a supplementary document must be provided.

>> When a regional headquarters in China dispatches senior managers or technical experts to a subsidiary or branch within China, both the dispatch letter and the employment contract signed by the regional headquarters must be submitted.

• The information page of the applicant's passport or international travel document. The passport must be valid for at least six months.
• The R visa page and the latest entry stamp page from the passport or international travel document.
• Recent photo: A front-facing, bareheaded electronic photo with a white background, taken within the past six months. It must show facial features clearly, without blemishes or defects. Head coverings are not recommended unless worn for religious reasons, but they must not obscure the face.

Other supporting documents

• Work experience certificate: Required for applicants classified as talent who meets the market demand for government-encouraged posts, innovative and entrepreneurial talent, or outstanding young talent in the Category A (High-end Foreign Talent) under the Evaluation Criteria for Foreigners Employed in China (Trial).
• Highest degree certificate and authentication documents: Required for applicants classified as outstanding young talent in the Category A (High-end Foreign Talent) under the Evaluation Criteria for Foreigners Employed in China (Trial).
• Additional materials may be requested by the processing or decision-making authority as needed.

Notes

Materials already submitted during the Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents application do not need to be resubmitted when applying for the Foreigner's Work Permit.

Approval timelines

• Preliminary review: Five working days (counted from the date when all required materials are submitted; preliminary review and acceptance are processed together).
• Examination: Three workdays from the date of online acceptance. In special cases, the acceptance or decision-making authority may extend the review period as necessary.

Source: sh-italent.com