On November 21, the Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau (Guangzhou Municipal Foreign Experts Bureau) issued a notice titled "Pilot Program to Facilitate Work Permits for Foreign Nationals in China."
11月21日，广州市科学技术局（广州市外国专家局）发布了一则名为“外国人来华工作许可试点计划”的通知。
The program introduces several measures aimed at simplifying procedures and fostering an accommodating environment for foreign professionals.
该计划引入了几项旨在简化程序并为外国专业人士营造包容环境的措施。
1. Streamlined Work Permit Transfers Within Guangdong
1. 广东省内工作许可简化转移
Foreign nationals working within Guangdong Province may transfer between affiliated organizations under the same system with the mutual consent of both parties. This requires documentation to be filed with both the outgoing and incoming organizations. Reissuance of work permits is not necessary, and the validity of the original permit remains unchanged. However, renewals and cancellations must be handled in the original approval location, with relevant explanations provided.
在广东省工作的外国人才可以在双方同意的情况下，在同一个系统下的关联机构之间转移。这需要向离开和接收的机构提交文件。不需要重新发放工作许可，原许可的有效期保持不变。但是，续签和注销必须在原批准地点处理，并提供相关说明。
For foreign professionals subject to compensation-related commitments, supporting documents must be submitted during permit renewals or cancellations. If the work permit remains valid, no additional transfer application is required.
对于受补偿相关承诺约束的外国专业人士，在许可续签或注销时必须提交支持文件。如果工作许可仍然有效，则不需要额外的转移申请。
A managed list approach applies to this measure. Transfers outside the list are subject to standard procedures, requiring cancellation of the previous permit and application for a new one. Further details are available at Guangzhou’s foreign work service windows in Huangpu and Nansha.
此措施采用管理名单方式。名单外的转移需遵循标准程序，需要取消之前的许可并申请新的许可。更多细节可在黄埔和南沙的广州外国人工作服务窗口了解。
2. Simplified Work Permits for Entrepreneurial Investors
2. 简化创业投资者的工作许可
Foreign nationals who have made direct investments in Guangzhou—amounting to at least RMB 4 million or holding over 30% of equity—are eligible to apply for a B-type work permit, provided they have completed business registration and actively participate in operations.
在广州直接投资至少400万元人民币或持有超过30%股权的外国人，只要完成商业登记并积极参与运营，就有资格申请B类工作许可。
For permit renewals, applicants must submit documents such as proof of timely capital contributions, financial records, operational reports, tax certificates, and social security payment records for both Chinese and foreign employees.
对于许可续签，申请人必须提交及时出资证明、财务记录、运营报告、税务证书以及中外员工的社保缴费记录等文件。
3. Support for Foreign Graduates Working or Starting Businesses in Guangdong
3. 支持外国毕业生在广东工作或创业
Foreign nationals with master’s degrees or higher in STEM fields from world-class universities or China’s Double First-Class universities (147 institutions) are eligible for a B-type work permit within one year of graduation. This eliminates prior work experience requirements.
在世界一流大学或中国的双一流大学（147所机构）获得STEM领域硕士学位或更高学位的外国人，毕业一年内可申请B类工作许可。这取消了之前的工作经验要求。
Employment: Employers can apply for a work permit valid for up to one year, renewable according to regulations.
就业：雇主可以申请有效期最长为一年的工作许可，可根据规定续签。
Entrepreneurship: Innovation and entrepreneurship incubation platforms such as startup parks can apply for a work permit on behalf of foreign entrepreneurs, also valid for one year and extendable for another year.
创业：创新和创业孵化平台，如创业园区，可以代表外国创业者申请工作许可，有效期也为一年，可延长一年。
4. Continuation of Standards for High-Level Talent
4. 高层次人才标准延续
The recognition standards for "high-caliber, cutting-edge, and urgently needed" foreign professionals in Guangzhou will remain unchanged under the current pilot program.
在当前试点计划下，广州对“高精尖缺”外国专业人士的认可标准将保持不变。
These measures take effect immediately and will remain valid until December 31, 2025.
这些措施立即生效，有效期至2025年12月31日。
