I. Application Procedure
1. Access the Service System for Foreigners Working in China (administered by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs) via the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security's National Online Government Service Platform for Human Resources and Social Security (https://www.12333.gov.cn) and register a company account; or log in to Government Online-Offline Shanghai to access the Shanghai Foreigner's Work in China Services System （https://zwdtuser.sh.gov.cn/uc/login/login.jsp）
2. Log in to the system through the relevant service portal, truthfully fill in the applicant's basic information, educational background, work experience, application details, among others, and upload the required original documents.
3. The Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China is processed entirely online (Original application documents must be verified for new applications). Applicants shall bring all original documents upon entry into China. For overseas application: after obtaining the work permit and entering China, the applicant shall present the original documents to the accepting authority for verification within one month and before applying for the Residence Permit for Work. For domestic application: after passing the online pre-review, the applicant shall bring the original documents to the accepting authority for verification.
4. Once online approval is complete, the employer may print the Decision on Granting Administrative License from the system. The applicant can download the Electronic Social Security Card app, register and log in using their name, work permit number, or social security number, and obtain an electronic social security card loaded with work permit information after completing real-name and real-person identity verification.
5. Applicants who have already entered China but do not meet the requirements for domestic direct application must follow the procedures for overseas application of the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China.
6. For those who have already received the physical Foreigner's Work Permit, the "no change, no replacement" principle applies. Renewal or modification of the existing permit shall follow the integrated new process of permit-card unification.
II. Legal Basis
1. Administrative Licensing Law of the People's Republic of China.
2. Letter on the Integration of Comments on Matters Related to the Foreigners’ Work Permit in China issued by Approval Reform Office of the State Council (S.G.B.H. [2015] No. 95).
3. Notice on Fully Implementing the Foreigner's Work Permit System in China by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Public Security (W. Z. F. [2017] No. 40).
4. Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs on Issuing the Service Guide for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China (Interim) (W. Z. F. [2017] No. 36).
5. Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Public Security on Issuing the Implementation Measures for the Foreign Talent Visa System (W.Z.F. [2017] No. 218).
6. Article 41 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China: Foreigners working in China shall obtain work permits and work-type residence permits in accordance with regulations. No organization or individual may employ any foreigner who has not obtained a work permit and a work-type residence permit.
7. Article 7 of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners: To apply for an R visa, the applicant shall meet the requirements and qualifications determined by the relevant Chinese authorities for inviting persons of high talent and urgently needed specialists, and submit the corresponding supporting documents as required. To apply for a Z visa, the applicant shall submit a work permit and other supporting documents in accordance with the regulations.
Article 16: To apply for a work-type residence permit, a work permit and other supporting documents shall be submitted; persons of high talent and urgently needed specialists required by the state shall submit the relevant supporting documents in accordance with regulations.
8. Notice on Further Handling the Foreigner's Work Permits in China for the International Youth Interns Exchange Program by the General Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology (G.K.B.Z. [2020] No. 18).
9. Notice on Continuously Improving the "Contactless" (Version 3.0) Approval Process for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China and Further Optimizing Permit-Related Matters in Shanghai by the Shanghai Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.
10. Notice on Continuously Improving the "Contactless" (Version 4.0) Approval Process for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China and Actively Attracting Foreign Talent and Other Related Matters by the Shanghai Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.
11. The General Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the General Office of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security's Notice on the Pilot Implementation of Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, Cutting-Edge, and Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai (G.K.B.C. [2022] No. 178).
12. Notice by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on Integrating the Foreigners' Work Permit and Social Security Card (R.S.B.F. [2024] No. 75).
III. Requirements for Submission of Documents
1. All original paper documents and their Chinese translations shall be uploaded electronically to the Service System for Foreigners Working in China.
2. Non-Chinese supporting documents shall be accompanied by Chinese translations, bearing the official seal of the employer (excluding passports or international travel documents).
3. Photocopies of required documents shall be stamped with the employer's official seal.
IV. Important Notes
1. If the accepting or decision-making authority determines that the content of the Chinese translation seriously deviates from the meaning of the original document, the employer may be required to re-submit the translation.
2.For information on consular legalization requirements, please refer to the Chinese Consular Service Website (https://cs.mfa.gov.cn), or directly contact the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate.
3. For policies, service guides, and some sample forms and letters of commitment related to the Foreigners' Work Permit in China, please refer to the Shanghai International Talent (https://www.sh-italent.com).
4. If an authorized service agency is entrusted to handle the application, extension, modification, or cancellation of the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China, the employer must provide a power of attorney specifying the entrusted agency, designated person, scope of authorization, as well as the designated person's ID number and contact information. Authorization must be case-specific and person-specific.
5. The employer and the foreign applicant shall ensure the authenticity of the information provided in their declarations and cooperate in the verification of documents by the accepting and decision-making authorities. If the employer or applicant submits false documents, fails to present the original documents for verification, or refuses to cooperate with the verification process, the approval authority has the right to revoke the administrative decision in accordance with the law and suspend the processing of Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China services for the employer, agency, and individual involved. Any violations will be handled in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
V. Approval Timeframes
|
Business Type |
Pre-Review Period |
Review Period |
|
Application for Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China (Category A) |
five working days |
five working days |
|
Application for Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China (Categories B and C) |
five working days |
eight working days |
|
Extension (Categories A, B, and C), Modification Items |
five working days |
three working days |
|
Cancellation Items |
two working days |
one working day |
|
Application for Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China (for working period in China of no more than 90 days, inclusive) |
five working days |
five working days |
|
Reissuance of Electronic Permit |
five working days |
three working days |
Note: The pre-review period begins on the second working day after the complete and compliant submission of required documents. The review period begins on the second working day after online acceptance of documents. In special circumstances where an extension of the review period is required, the accepting or decision-making authority will handle the matter at its discretion.
VI. Methods and Hours for Document Submission
(I) Submission Methods
1. In-person submission to accepting authorities (including acceptance of applications, document verification, and consultation services)
Accepting Department: Shanghai Talent Development Service Center (Shanghai Service Center for Foreigners Working in China).
Municipal-level acceptance addresses:
Windows. 15 and 16, 1F, Shanghai Talent Tower, No. 77 Meiyuan Road, Jing'an District.
Windows. 17-19, 3F, No. 1500 Minsheng Road, Pudong New Area (One-Stop Window for Foreigner's Work Permit and Residence Permit).
For acceptance points in other districts, please refer to the list of accepting institutions and addresses, or consult the "Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China" project section of Government Online-Offline Shanghai.
2. Online submission
(1) Access the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security's National Online Government Service Platform for Human Resources and Social Security (https://www.12333.gov.cn) and enter the Service System for Foreigners Working in China (administered by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs).
(2) Log in to "Government Online-Offline Shanghai" via the Corporate One Certificate to access the Shanghai Foreigner's Work in China Services System （https://zwdtuser.sh.gov.cn/uc/login/login.jsp）
(II) Submission Hours
Meiyuan Road (Windows 15 and 16, 1F)
Monday to Thursday
Morning: 09:00–11:30
Afternoon: 13:30–17:00
Friday
Morning: 09:00–11:30
Afternoon: 13:30–15:00
Minsheng Road (One-Stop Window for Foreigner's Work Permit and Residence Permit)
Monday to Thursday
Morning: 09:00–11:30
Afternoon: 13:30–17:00
Friday
Morning: 09:00–11:30