China has announced a new policy to integrate foreigner's work permits with social security cards, effective Dec 1, 2024.

With this integration, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has stopped issuing the physical work permits, and instead work permit information is digitalized and blended into the social security cards.

With the new system, foreigners arriving in China no longer need to apply for physical work permits, and applications, extensions, modifications and cancellations of work permits are processed entirely online.

Existing physical work permits will remain valid until renewal or modification, at which point the cardholders will shift to the integrated new system.

After arriving in China, foreign nationals can download the Social Security Card (电子社保卡) app to register and log in using their name, work permit number, or social security number.

Once verified, they can access an electronic social security card embedded with work permit information. The integrated card will serve multiple functions, including identity verification, medical expense settlement and more.

The process for residence permit applications is also streamlined under the new system.

With a Z visa (work visa), foreigner nationals can apply for residence permits at the local exit-entry administration using either the Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit or the electronic social security card embedded with work permit information. Immigration authorities can verify work permit information via the centralized system or by scanning the work permit's QR code.

The integration also offers enhanced social security services for foreign nationals.

Employers of expats or expats themselves can use the Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit or the electronic social security card to register for social insurance online or at offline offices.

Local human resources and social security authorities are asked to provide more employment-related services, such as inquiries and collection of subsidies, through digital or physical social security cards, or even make the social security card an all-in-one card based on local conditions.

Earlier this month, the "Join in Card", the country's first integrated foreigner's work permit and social security card, was issued in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province.

The card allows expats to access 264 public services in sectors such as government affairs, transport, tourism, finance and healthcare without carrying their passports or other certificates.

 

Source: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People's Republic of China