Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (now integrated under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security), Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Public Security on the Full Implementation of the Work Permit System for Foreigners in China (Wai Zhuan Fa [2017] No 40)

I. Objectives

The notice shall be observed and implemented for the following objectives:

- to implement the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, integrate the administrative and service resources for foreign talent in China, refine the regulatory system, optimize agencies and functions and establish a unified, authoritative, and effective administrative system for foreign talent;

- to deepen the reform of "streamlining administration, delegating power, and improving regulation and services", accelerate the transformation of governmental functions, rigorously comply with the requirements for standardized administrative licensing, comprehensively regulate administrative licensing, and scientifically carry out classified management;

- to facilitate the development of the internet-driven governmental services, enhance the sharing of government information resources, use big data to improve regulatory efficiency, innovate in-process and ex post regulation, and establish a convenient and efficient social credit system for foreign workers in China;

- to set up a work administrative system for foreigners characterized by scientific management, interconnection and sharing, coordinated supervision, public participation, and efficiency, as well as an administrative system for foreign workers in China featuring standardized management and rigorous approval to support the domestic employment market and enhance scientific and standardized service management boasting information technology application and international competitiveness.

II. Main tasks

1. To comprehensively implement the work permit system for foreign workers in China:

- Adopt a unified management system;

- Simplify application materials;

- Optimize approval procedures;

- Regulate application standards;

- Improve the classification standards for foreign workers in China;

- Establish green channels for employment, innovation and entrepreneurship of high-end foreign talent in China;

- Improve service and support.

2. To improve the regulations and systems for foreign workers in China:

- Strengthen the top-level planning;

- Improve the Regulations on Administration of Foreign Workers in China and implementation rules for talent visa affairs;

- Establish the guidance catalog for foreign workers in China, market testing for foreign talent, foreigner-employer credit management system and other systems;

- Improve classification standards and licensing service guide;

- Comply with the requirements of the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on Relevant Matters concerning the Streamlining of Administrative Regulations and Documents (Guo Ban Han [2016] No 12) to streamline outdated rules and regulations.

Note: The local governments and relevant departments shall not promulgate policies and measures against the reform.

3. To innovate the application of the internet-driven government services:

- Develop a unified, standardized, and multiple-level technology and service system and establish a model integrating comprehensive acceptance in front end, classified review and approval in back end, and unified issuance of certificates and permits;

- Relevant authorities for foreign experts affairs, human resources and social security, foreign affairs, and public security shall strengthen information sharing, back-end certification and business collaboration, integrate and share public service resources to provide standardized, precise, convenient, platform-based and collaborative government services.

4. To strengthen in-process and ex post regulation:

- Improve the work mechanism of random inspection by randomly selected law enforcement officers and inspectors and prompt public notification of inspection results;

- Strengthen the construction of governmental affairs credit, business credit, and individual credit systems for foreign workers in China;

- Establish the mechanism for the formation, compilation, public notification, and utilization of the credit records of employers, foreign workers in China and entrusted professional agencies;

- Use big data to regulate the services provided for market players and optimize credit incentive and dishonesty penalty mechanism.

III. Implementation

Starting April 1, 2017, the work permit system for foreign workers in China shall be implemented and the Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit of the People's Republic of China and the Foreigner's Work Permit of the People's Republic of China (the "Foreigner's Work Permit") under the joint regulation of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (now integrated under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security) shall be issued across the country.

Foreign workers in China shall complete relevant visa and residence formalities based on the regulations relevant to Foreigner's Work Permits.

Note: Existing work permits for foreign experts working in China, foreigner's employment licenses and relevant certificates will continue to be valid during the validity period.

IV. Supporting measures

Local governments and departments concerned shall strengthen coordination and implementation, improve government services for enterprises and citizens. They shall promptly publish authoritative information, respond to social concerns, and guide social expectation to enable employers and employees in all walks of life to be acquainted with new policies and new systems in a timely manner and thus create a favorable ecosystem for the implementation of the foreigner's work permit system.

Updated Aug 26, 2026

Sources: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security