When applying for a work visa in China, foreigners typically expect to receive at least a one-year visa. However, due to avoidable yet often overlooked issues, applicants may not secure the intended duration.
在中国申请工作签证时，外国人通常期望至少能获得一年期的签证。然而，由于一些可以避免但常被忽视的问题，申请人可能无法获得预期的签证期限。
To help avoid such situations, SFBC has compiled common scenarios based on years of experience, which can guide you during your visa application process.
为了避免这种情况，SFBC根据多年的经验，整理了一些常见的场景，这些场景可以在您的签证申请过程中提供指导。
Risk 1 Business License Validity Less Than One Year
风险1：营业执照有效期不满一年
Even if all your materials qualify for a one-year visa, the immigration authorities will issue a visa no longer than the validity period of your business license.
即使您的所有材料都符合一年期签证的要求，移民局也会根据您营业执照的有效期限发放签证，不会超过该期限。
If your license is valid for less than six months, immigration may reject your visa application outright, requiring you to renew your business license first. Since renewing a business license can take a considerable amount of time, it’s crucial to avoid last-minute renewals.
如果您的执照有效期不足六个月，移民局可能会直接拒绝您的签证申请，要求您先更新营业执照。由于更新营业执照可能需要相当长的时间，因此避免最后一刻更新至关重要。
Risk 2 Special Industry License Durations
风险2：特殊行业许可证有效期
Beyond the business license, the validity period of various company licenses, such as the Human Resources License, Education License, and Food Business License, can also affect the length of your visa.
除了营业执照之外，各种公司许可证的有效期限，如人力资源许可证、教育许可证和食品经营许可证，也可能影响您的签证期限。
Immigration officers typically grant a visa based on the shortest validity period among all your documents. Uploading additional documents may not always be beneficial unless required for specific industries.
移民官员通常会根据您所有文件中最短的有效期限来发放签证。除非特定行业要求，否则上传额外文件并不总是有益的。
Risk 3 Company Lease Agreement Validity
风险3：公司租赁协议有效性
First, a foreign worker's visa depends on the company's legitimate office address. If the lease agreement expires without renewal, it can affect the company’s registration with the Foreign Experts Bureau and the legality of the work visa.
首先，外国工人的签证取决于公司合法的办公地址。如果租赁协议到期未续签，可能会影响公司在外国专家局的注册以及工作签证的合法性。
Second, visa renewal applications typically require a valid lease agreement, and an expired contract may cause delays.
其次，签证续签申请通常需要有效的租赁协议，过期的合同可能会导致延误。
Moreover, the Foreign Experts Bureau may request to review the latest lease agreement during the application process. Failure to provide this document may result in application rejection.
此外，外国专家局在申请过程中可能会要求查看最新的租赁协议。未能提供此文件可能导致申请被拒绝。
Timely lease renewals and communication with foreign employees are advised to ensure smooth visa renewals.
建议及时续签租赁协议并与外籍员工沟通，以确保签证续签顺利进行。
Risk 4 Employment Contract Validity
风险4：劳动合同有效性
According to the Regulations on the Employment of Foreign Nationals in China, foreigners must hold a valid employment permit and residence permit to work in China. The validity of the employment permit is closely tied to the duration of the employment contract. Upon the expiration of the contract, the employment permit will become invalid.
根据《外国人在中国就业管理规定》，外国人在中国工作必须持有有效的就业许可证和居留许可证。就业许可证的有效性与劳动合同的期限密切相关。合同到期后，就业许可证将失效。
Employers must apply for an extension of the employment contract and employment permit renewal 30 days before the contract's expiration.
雇主必须在合同到期前30天申请延长劳动合同和更新就业许可证。
The length of the employment contract directly impacts the extension period of the foreign worker's visa. Failure to renew the employment contract on time may result in the foreign employee being unable to continue working legally, affecting the visa renewal process.
劳动合同的期限直接影响外籍工人签证的延期期限。未能及时续签劳动合同可能导致外籍员工无法合法继续工作，影响签证续签过程。
Risk 5 Passport Validity
风险5：护照有效性
If a foreign worker’s passport is valid for less than six months, even with a valid work visa, they may face difficulties in extending their visa.
如果外籍工人的护照有效期少于六个月，即使持有有效的工作签证，他们也可能在延长签证时遇到困难。
Most countries, including China, follow the international "Six Month Rule," which requires a passport to have at least six months of validity for visa applications or entry.
包括中国在内的大多数国家遵循国际“六个月规则”，要求护照在签证申请或入境时至少有六个月的有效期。
Additionally, some airlines may refuse to allow passengers with passports valid for less than six months to board, even if they hold a valid visa. Foreign workers need to renew their passports in time to avoid issues during the Chinese visa extension process.
此外，一些航空公司可能会拒绝允许护照有效期少于六个月的乘客登机，即使他们持有有效签证。外籍工人需要及时更新护照，以避免在中国签证延期过程中出现问题。
Risk 6 Temporary Residence Permit Validity
风险6：临时居留许可有效性
The Temporary Residence Permit is an important proof of legal residence for foreign workers. If it expires without timely renewal, it may affect your residency records with the public security bureau, potentially impacting your visa renewal application.
临时居留许可是外籍工人合法居留的重要证明。如果它到期而没有及时续签，可能会影响你在公安局的居留记录，从而可能影响你的签证续签申请。
If the Temporary Residence Permit expires and the new registration is not yet processed, the public security bureau may not be able to verify your residency status, leading to delays or rejection of the visa renewal application.
如果临时居留许可到期，而新的登记尚未处理，公安局可能无法验证你的居留状态，导致签证续签申请的延误或拒绝。
Foreign workers should renew their lodging registration before the Temporary Residence Permit expires to ensure all relevant documents are compliant. Failure to register as required may result in warnings and fines. Many cities offer online lodging registration, allowing foreign workers to register online conveniently.
外籍工人应在临时居留许可到期前续签住宿登记，以确保所有相关文件符合规定。未能按规定登记可能导致警告和罚款。许多城市提供在线住宿登记，允许外籍工人方便地在线登记。
Managing and renewing work visas for foreigners in China is a meticulous process that requires constant vigilance. By precisely submitting necessary materials, promptly updating relevant documents, understanding policies, and planning appropriately, you can minimize uncertainties during the visa application process and ensure that foreign employees can continue their careers in China smoothly and legally.
在中国为外国人管理和续签工作签证是一个需要持续警惕的细致过程。通过准确提交必要的材料，及时更新相关文件，了解政策，并适当规划，你可以在签证申请过程中最小化不确定性，并确保外籍员工能够顺利且合法地在中国继续他们的职业生涯。
