The acquisition of Chinese work visas for foreign nationals is a significant challenge for individuals and companies operating in China. The requirements for obtaining a work visa in China are infamous, not due to their complexity regarding prerequisites but rather the frequent updates to the list of necessary documents. Since 2016, the Chinese government has revised the list of required documents almost every year, making it difficult for applicants to stay up-to-date with the latest requirements.

为外国公民获得中国工作签证对在中国经营的个人和公司来说是一个重大挑战。在中国获得工作签证的要求让人讨厌，这并不是因为其先决条件的复杂性，而是因为必要文件清单的频繁更新。自2016年以来，中国政府几乎每年都会修订所需文件清单，这使得申请人很难跟上最新的要求。

At SFBC, we like to stay updated so we can keep providing you the most up-to-date information to provide the most current and accurate information possible. This article provides updated information for the 2023 China work visa application process.

在SFBC，我们希望随时了解最新情况，以便不断为您提供最新信息，尽可能提供最新、准确的信息。本文为2023年中国工作签证申请流程提供了最新信息。

Basic Requirements for Employee and Employer

对雇员和雇主的基本要求

Since the end of COVID-19 quarantine in China in early 2023, China has relaxed its issuance of work visas to foreigners. This is due to the Chinese government’s efforts to attract more foreign talent to the country to support its economic growth and development. The relaxation of work visa issuance has made it easier for foreigners to apply for and obtain work visas in China, which has in turn created more opportunities for international professionals to work and live in the country.

自2023年初新冠肺炎在中国的隔离期结束以来，中国放宽了对外国人的工作签证发放。这是由于中国政府努力吸引更多的外国人才来中国支持其经济增长和发展。工作签证发放的放宽使外国人更容易在中国申请和获得工作签证，这反过来又为国际专业人士在中国工作和生活创造了更多机会。

China has implemented a more active, open, and effective foreign talent policy. It has simplified the application process, allowing for the majority of the application to be completed online. For employers hiring foreigners in China, it is important to comply with the local laws and regulations regarding expatriates. For instance, employers must be legally established in China and must have the necessary certifications from the appropriate industry in order to hire foreign workers.

中国实施了更加积极、开放、有效的对外人才政策。它简化了申请流程，允许大部分申请在网上完成。对于在中国雇佣外国人的雇主来说，遵守当地有关外籍人士的法律法规是很重要的。例如，雇主必须在中国合法成立，并且必须拥有相应行业的必要认证，才能雇佣外国工人。

To apply for a work visa in China, foreign nationals must meet certain basic requirements. The applicant should:

外国公民在中国申请工作签证必须符合某些基本要求。申请人应：

Possess the necessary skills and have at least two years of professional work experience that align with the relevant job vacancy.

具备必要的技能，并至少有两年与相关职位空缺相适应的专业工作经验。

Have a clean criminal record, which can be verified through a background check issued by their home country.

有清白的犯罪记录，可以通过本国发布的背景调查进行核实。

Secure a job offer from a Chinese employer.

获得中国雇主的工作邀请。

Possess a valid passport and/or any other mandatory international travel certificates.

持有有效护照和/或任何其他强制性国际旅行证件。

Steps Involved to Hire Foreigners

雇佣外国人的步骤

The Exit and Entry Administration Law of China stipulates that foreign nationals who intend to work in China must obtain a work permit and a work-type residence permit. The following outlines the typical application process for foreign applicants who are not currently in China:

中国《出入境管理法》规定，外国公民拟在中国工作，必须取得工作许可证和工作类居留许可证。以下概述了目前不在中国的外国申请人的一般申请流程：

1.Apply online from outside China for a Foreigner’s Work Permit Notice;

1.从中国境外在线申请《外国人工作许可通知书》；

2.Apply for a Z-Class Visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate;

2.到中国使领馆申请Z类签证；

3.Turn in Work Permit Notice and Visa Application;

3.提交工作许可通知书和签证申请；

4.Receive the Visa and Get on the Plane to China;

4.获得签证并登上飞往中国的飞机；

5.Temporary Registration with Police;

5.向警方临时登记；

6.Medical Examination;

6.体检；

7.Acquiring the Work Permit;

7.取得工作许可证；

8.Acquiring the Resident Permit.

8.取得居留许可。

Step 1: The Chinese Work Notice

第一步：中国工作通知

The Chinese Work Notice document must be obtained before the working visa can be acquired. It is issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China.

在获得工作签证之前，必须获得中国工作通知文件。由中华人民共和国人力资源和社会保障部发布。

Before the employer in China can obtain the work permit, the following should be prepared and sent:

在中国的雇主获得工作许可之前，应准备并发送以下文件：

1.Scanned copy of your passport information page;

1.护照信息页的扫描件；

2.Medical examination report at an authorized hospital;

2.在授权医院进行的体检报告；

3.Recent passport-sized photo;

3.近期护照大小的照片；

4.Reference letter;

4.推荐信；

5.Non-criminal record (background check) translated & authenticated by Chinese Embassy/Consulate;

5.中国使领馆翻译认证的无犯罪记录（背景调查）；

6.Bachelor’s degree or above translated & authenticated by Chinese Embassy/Consulate;

6.中国使领馆翻译认证的本科及以上学历；

7.TEFL/TESOL certificate translated & authenticated by Chinese Embassy/Consulate (only applicable for teaching positions).

7.中国使领馆翻译认证的TEFL/TESOL证书（仅适用于教学岗位）。

The Chinese work permitification system

中国工作许可证分类制度

Over the past few years, the Chinese government has streamlined the work permit application process by consolidating all procedures under the purview of SAFEA (The State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs). This government agency is responsible for processing work visas, including both Z and R visa categories. Z visas are the standard visas issued to foreign employees, whereas R visas are exclusively reserved for high-level executives and individuals deemed highly valuable to certain industries that China seeks to develop.

在过去的几年里，中国政府简化了工作许可证申请程序，将所有程序都纳入了国家外专局的管辖范围。该政府机构负责处理工作签证，包括Z类和R类签证。Z签证是发给外国雇员的标准签证，而R签证则专门为高层管理人员和被认为对中国寻求发展的某些行业具有高度价值的个人保留。

With the new online management service system, both the employer and prospective employee can submit the necessary supporting documents electronically, making the process more efficient. The updated system has eliminated nearly half of the previously required documents, such as application letters and personal CVs, simplifying the process.

有了新的在线管理服务系统，雇主和潜在雇员都可以通过电子方式提交必要的证明文件，使流程更加高效。更新后的系统删除了近一半以前需要的文件，如申请信和个人简历，简化了流程。

To initiate the process, the prospective employer must use SAFEA’s management system for foreign workers in China (which is only available in Chinese). The following documents must be submitted by the employer:

为了启动这一程序，潜在雇主必须使用SAFEA针对在中国的外籍工人的管理系统（该系统仅在中国提供）。雇主必须提交以下文件：

A business license and organization code certificate;

营业执照和组织机构代码证；

The registration form;

登记表；

ID information of the employer/agent who is responsible for the registration;

负责登记的雇主/代理人的身份信息；

Industry license documents.

行业许可证文件。

Here’s a list of the documents now required from future foreign employees:

以下是未来外籍员工现在需要的文件清单：

Foreigner’s Work Permit application form;

外国人工作许可申请表；

Passport;

护照

ID photo;

身份证照片；

Verification of past employment;

核实过去的工作；

Verification of education or verification of professional qualification;

学历验证或职业资格验证；

Copy of job contract or appointment letter;

工作合同或聘书的复印件；

Criminal record certificate;

犯罪记录证明；

Physical examination record; and

体检记录；和

Once SAFEA (State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs) has completed the preliminary review and is satisfied with the submitted documents, a hard copy of all the materials will be requested. The documents will then be forwarded to the Bureau of Public Security, which is responsible for handling matters related to public safety and law enforcement. The Bureau of Public Security will review the hard copies on site and return all original documents to you.

一旦SAFEA（国家外专局）完成初步审查并对提交的文件感到满意，将要求提供所有材料的打印件。这些文件随后将转交给负责处理公共安全和执法相关事宜的公安局。公安局将在现场审查打印件，并将所有原始文件退还给您。

After submitting the necessary documents through SAFEA’s system, a distinct method for evaluating the qualifications of foreign applicants and processing work permit applications is employed.

在通过SAFEA系统提交必要的文件后，将采用一种独特的方法来评估外国申请人的资格和处理工作许可申请。

To attract highly skilled foreign workers and limit the influx of less qualified personnel, the Chinese government has devised a three-tiered, points-based system forifying foreign employees. This system categorizes foreign workers as follows:

为了吸引高技能的外国工人，限制不太合格的人员涌入，中国政府制定了一个三级、积分制的外籍员工分类制度。该系统将外籍工人分类如下：

Class A – Elite foreign talent;

A类——优秀外国人才；

Class B – Professional foreign talent;

B类——专业外籍人才；

Class C – Miscellaneous foreigners.

C类——其他外国人。

China does not restrict the number of work visas offered to foreigners in Class A. However, there are restrictions on the number of B and class C visas issued.

中国不限制A类外国人的工作签证数量。然而，B类和C类签证的签发数量有限制。

How employees areified

如何对员工进行分类

There are two methods for employees to beified:

员工分类有两种方法：

1.Be directly qualified by fulfilling various requirements;

1.通过满足各种要求直接获得资格；

2.Reaching enough points on a points table.

2.在积分表上达到足够的分数。

Direct Qualification

直接资格认证

A – Grade Foreign Workers

A级外籍工人

A foreign employee is considered A if any of the following conditions are met:

如果外国雇员满足以下任何条件，则视为A级雇员：

They are a recipient of an international award;

他们获得了国际奖项；

Selected by China’s talent important plan;

入选中国人才重要计划；

Demonstrated entrepreneurial talents;

展现出的创业人才；

Will take a government-encouraged scarce job; or

将接受政府鼓励的稀缺工作；或

Selected under the Youth Talent project.

在青年人才项目中被选中。

Class-A employees comprise around 16 percent of foreign workers in China. Because they are more desirable to the Chinese government, they enjoy benefits not given to Class-B and Class-C employees. Their application will get approved quicker, so processing times are around five working days.

A类员工约占中国外籍员工的16%。因为他们更受中国政府欢迎，所以他们享受的福利不是给B级和C级员工的。他们的申请会更快地获得批准，因此处理时间大约为五个工作日。

In addition, Class-A employees can use paperless verification during the application process and are exempt from the typical requirements of age, education degree, and work experience. As a result, they can benefit from a more streamlined process both prior to and after the application process.

此外，A级员工在申请过程中可以使用无纸化验证，不受年龄、教育程度和工作经验等典型要求的限制。因此，无论是在申请流程之前还是之后，他们都可以从更精简的流程中受益。

B – Grade Foreigners Workers

B级外籍工人

Foreigners will receive a Bification if they meet any of the following conditions:

如果外国人满足以下任何条件，他们将获得B级：

Hold a bachelor’s degree and have at least two years of work experience;

拥有学士学位，至少有两年的工作经验；

Has a master’s degree from a university in Chinese mainland;

拥有中国大陆任一所大学的硕士学位；

Holds a master’s degree from a top 100 institution worldwide as ranked by Jiao Tong University;

拥有交通大学排名的全球百强院校的硕士学位；

For foreign language teachers, a bachelor’s degree or higher, no less than two years experience of teaching the language, and the language being instructed is the applicant’s native language.

对于外语教师，具有学士学位或更高学历，至少两年的语言教学经验，并且所教授的语言是申请人的母语。

B-Class employees make up around 61 percent of expats in China. Compared to Class As, they can find it more difficult to obtain a work permit in industries already saturated with foreign workers.

在中国的外籍人士中，B级员工约占61%。与A级相比，他们会发现在已经充斥着外国工人的行业中获得工作许可更加困难。

C – Grade Foreign Workers

C级外籍工人

Finally, class C employees are considered as such if:

最后，如果出现以下情况，则视为C类员工：

They are domestic helpers hired by A employees;

他们是A类雇员雇佣的家庭佣工；

They enter China for an internship under a government agreement;

他们根据政府协议进入中国实习；

They are in China for seasonal employment.

他们在中国从事季节性工作。

About 22 percent of expatriates belong to the group called C-Class employees. This group consists of individuals like company representatives who work in foreign countries for a few months and those who come to China under Chinese government young talent programs. Their stay and visa duration depends on the labor market’s requirements, and C-Class permits typically have a shorter validity period. Moreover, it takes them more time to obtain the necessary permits.

大约22%的外籍人士属于C级员工群体。这个群体包括在外国工作几个月的公司代表和根据中国政府的青年人才计划来到中国的人。他们的居留和签证期限取决于劳动力市场的要求，C级许可证的有效期通常较短。此外，他们需要更多的时间才能获得必要的许可。

Points-Based Qualification

基于积分的资格

Foreign employees can also be categorized using a table that assigns a specific number of points to each. Class A requires above 85 points, Class B requires 60 to 85 points, and Class C requires below 60 points.

外籍员工也可以使用一个表进行分类，该表为每个类别分配特定数量的分数。A级要求85分以上，B级要求60至85分，C级要求60分以下。

SAFEA is responsible for evaluating foreign employee candidates based on ten different factors.

SAFEA负责根据十个不同的因素对外籍员工候选人进行评估。