• FAQs: What to do in a labor dispute

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    What you should do if your employer refuses to pay your overtime wages? Where can you apply for labor arbitration? How much does it cost to apply for labor arbitration? The following are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on labor disputes and resolutions.

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  • I live in China on a spousal visa/residence permit. How can I get a work permit if I am offered a job in Shanghai?

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    If you are living in China and plan to work in Shanghai, your employer needs to apply for a work permit for you.

    First, HR will upload the required documents to the Service System for Foreigners Working in China through the employer's account. The preliminary review will be done online and take up to five working days, provided all your documents are complete. If you pass the preliminary review, HR will then take the original version of your documents to the offline service window.

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  • I am about to leave China once my employment contract ends. What do I need to do about my tax and permits?

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    According to the Shanghai Municipal Tax Service, taxpayers without domicile in China who leave the country before March 1 of the next financial year may handle final settlement before leaving the country. You can bring your identity document to the tax hall of the tax bureau your employer is registered with.

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  • How is the scope of application of the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-end Talents expanded?

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    The Online Approval for Foreigner’s Work Permit in China (Version 4.0) expands the scope of application of the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-end Talents. Foreign researchers participating in national task forces and young expats may directly apply for the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-end Talents and apply for R visa with a validity period of up to 10 years.

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  • How can I find job opportunities in Shanghai?

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    Chinajob is a website for expats to find jobs in Shanghai. Chinajob (www.chinajob.com), founded in 1995, is a large-scale professional website sponsored by the Foreign Talent Research Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology. It is the first and the most authoritative international talent website established in China.

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  • How do I get a work permit?

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    Work permits are issued by Chinese government to allow foreign nationals to work in the country. Here is a guide to obtaining a foreigner’s work permit. Foreigners employed in Shanghai must obtain a work permit regardless of their nationality, visa type, or the length of their employment.

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  • Can employers pass the handling of the foreigner's work permit to an agent?

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    Employers may pass the handing of the Foreigner's Work Permit to an agent that has registered in the Service System for Foreigners Working in China. Please provide the Letter of Authorization of the employer and specify the authorized entity and the matter(s) authorized.

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  • How do I work legally in Shanghai?

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    Foreign nationals entering China with a Z visa must obtain both a Foreigner's Work Permit and a residence permit before commencing employment. Those without residence certificates (holders of F, L, C, and G visas), foreign students, interns, or accompanying family members of work visa holders are not authorized to work in China.

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  • What is the Points-based System for the Foreigner's Work Permit?

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    The Points-based System is a comprehensive approach to classifying foreign talent. It assigns points to individuals based on specific criteria, such as salary, educational qualifications, work experience, annual working hours, and Chinese language proficiency. This point-based approach categorizes foreign talent into three tiers, each with its own set of requirements and benefits.

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  • FAQs: Applying for Foreigner's Work Permit Notice and Work Permit for Foreign Graduates from Overseas Universities (Category C)

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    This guide covers two categories of foreign graduates: Foreign students who have graduated from universities in Shanghai and overseas graduates from high-level universities.

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  • What is the validity period of the Foreigner's Work Permit?

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    The initial validity is one year for foreign graduates working in Shanghai. Extensions are possible based on the specific employment situation, but the total period generally doesn't exceed five years.

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