I. Target Applicants
(I) Basic Requirements for Employers
1. The employer must be legally established, have a physical business premise, pay taxes and social insurance in accordance with the law, and have no record of serious law violations or dishonesty. The position offered to the foreign national must be of special need, with no suitable local candidates available temporarily, and must comply with relevant national regulations. The wage and salary paid to the foreign employee must not be lower than the local minimum wage and salary standard.
2. If laws or regulations require prior approval by the competent industry authority, the employer shall obtain such approval.
(II) Basic Requirements for Applicants
1. The applicant shall be at least 18 years old, in good health and with no criminal record, have a confirmed employer in China, and possess the professional skills or corresponding level of knowledge required for their work.
2. The position shall align with China's economic and social development needs and be one in urgent demand.
3. If laws or regulations specify other conditions for foreigners working in China, such provisions shall apply.
4. Category A – Foreign High-End Talent: Refers to highly educated, professionally competent, cutting-edge, and urgently needed" scientists, leading scientific or technological talent, international entrepreneurs, and specialized professionals who are aligned with market demand and meet China's economic and social development needs. Additionally, it also includes those who meet the points-based Foreign High-End Talent standards, meaning applicants who score 85 points or above in the "points-based evaluation table". These individuals are not subject to restrictions on age, academic qualifications, or work experience.
Category B – Foreign Professional Talent: Refers to professionals who align with the "Catalogue for Guiding Foreigners Working in China" and specific job requirements, and who are in demand for China's economic and social development. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or higher and have at least 2 years of relevant work experience. The age limit is subject to China's statutory retirement age. For certain cases, such as those who meet the "Occupation List for Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial)", foreign talent in innovation and entrepreneurship, skilled professionals, or those who meet the points-based Foreign High-End Talent standards, meaning applicants who score 60 points or above in the "points-based evaluation table", as well as personnel under intergovernmental agreements, the restrictions on age, education, or work experience may be relaxed appropriately.
For details, refer to: Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial), Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, and Cutting-Edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial), and Occupation List for Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial)
(Available on Shanghai International Talent: https://www.sh-italent.com). If national policies provide specific provisions for specialized or government program personnel, such provisions shall prevail.
5. Any of the following circumstances shall be eligible for domestic application for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China:
(1) Foreign High-End Talent (Category A) who has entered China holding other valid visas or residence permits;
(2) Foreign nationals working in China who change employers but maintain the same job position (occupation), and whose work-related residence permit is still valid;
(3) Foreign spouses or children of Chinese citizens, or foreign spouses or children of foreigners with permanent residence or work status in China, holding valid visas or residence permits within the validity period;
(4) Applicants eligible under preferential policies of Free Trade Zones or Comprehensive Innovation Reform Pilot Zones;
(5) Employers meeting the criteria for preferential policies applicable to regional headquarters of multinational corporations in China;
(6) Internal personnel transfers within corporate groups;
(7) Personnel covered under intergovernmental agreements or arrangements;
(8) Representatives of foreign organizations in China who have entered legally with a work visa; foreigners who have obtained a work permit for employment in China for up to 90 days, and are lawfully employed by a domestic employer during their authorized stay;
(9) Foreigners who have legally worked continuously in China for at least one year within the past five years and have maintained good credit (including exactly one year);
(10) Other cases recognized as eligible by relevant approval authorities.
II. Required Documents
(I) Overseas Application for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China
1. Application Form for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China: To be completed and printed online before entry. The applicant shall sign the form, which must then be stamped with the employer's official seal or the seal of the authorized department within the employer's organization, and uploaded to the system.
2. Foreign Talent Certification Documents: According to the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial), Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, and Cutting-Edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial), and Occupation List for Urgently Needed Foreign T in Shanghai (Trial), applicants must provide relevant supporting documents that meet the certification requirements. The applicant must sign and the employer must stamp the application form to agree to allow the permit issuing authority to conduct additional investigations if necessary.
Applicants who reach the points-based criteria for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A) or Foreign Professional Talent (Category B) shall provide the highest academic degree (qualification) certificate, professional qualification certificates, proof of Chinese language proficiency (such as the HSK certificate), proof of annual income for work in China, proof of work experience, and the points-based evaluation table.
For applications involving salary matters, the employer and the applicant must submit a joint commitment letter. The letter should state the foreigner's monthly (or annual) salary, the amount of monthly (or annual) taxes paid in Shanghai, the tax payment location, and other related commitments. The applicant must sign the letter, and the employer must stamp it with the official seal. The acceptance and decision authority may request the employer to provide corresponding tax documents during the next application.
Foreign High-End Talent (Category A) or Foreign Professional Talent (Category B) recommended by relevant departments shall submit a recommendation letter issued by the relevant Shanghai industry authority for the foreigner's work permit application.
3. Proof of Work Experience: Issued by the applicant's previous employer, this document must certify work experience related to the current employment position, including job title, duration of employment, or projects once undertaken. It must bear the official seal of the previous employer or the signature of a responsible person, and provide valid contact phone number or email of the certifying contact person. Applicants meeting the point-based foreign talent standards shall provide proof of work experience fulfilling the required points duration.
For Foreign High-End Talent who (I) is selected under domestic talent introduction programs or (II) meets internationally recognized professional achievement standards, as defined in the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) and the Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, and Cutting-Edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial) for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A), a commitment-based approach shall be adopted. Others meeting standards for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A) shall still provide proof of work experience. If the applicant has received well-known awards in the professional field, corresponding award certificates may be provided. Foreign Professional Talent (Category B) meeting the Occupation List for Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial) shall submit proof documents matching the requirements.
4. Highest Degree (Qualification) Certificate and Authentication Documents: If the highest degree (qualification) certificate is obtained abroad, it shall be authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, or by the embassy or consulate in China of the country where the degree was obtained, or by a recognized Chinese degree authentication agency. If the highest degree (qualification) certificate is obtained in the Hong Kong or Macao Special Administrative Region or the Taiwan region, it shall be authenticated by a Chinese degree authentication agency or notarized by a notarization agency in the respective region. If the highest degree (qualification) certificate is obtained within the Chinese mainland, only the original degree (qualification) certificate is required.
For cases involving school ranking requirements, proof of the school's ranking from an official list shall be provided. Outstanding graduates shall provide corresponding academic performance proof.
For Foreign High-End Talent who (I) is selected under domestic talent introduction programs; (II) meets internationally recognized professional achievement standards; (III) meets market-oriented encouraged positions; (IV) is categorized as innovative and entrepreneurial talent; or (VII) is recommended by relevant departments, as defined in the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) and the Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, and Cutting-Edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial) for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A), a commitment-based approach shall be adopted.
Foreign Professional Talent (Category B) meeting the Occupation List for Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial) shall submit proof documents matching the requirements.
5. Relevant Approval Documents and Professional Qualification Certificates: Where laws and regulations of China require prior approval by the competent industry authority or holding a corresponding Chinese entry-level professional qualification, the applicant shall provide the approval documents issued by the competent authority or the professional qualification certificate. Foreign professional qualification certificates shall be authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, or authenticated by the embassy or consulate in China or notarized by the notary authority of the country where the qualification was issued. Certificates obtained in the Hong Kong or Macao Special Administrative Region or the Taiwan region shall be notarized by the local notary authority.
6. Certificate of No Criminal Record and Authentication Documents:
For Foreign High-End Talent (Category A), Urgently Needed Talent (Category B), and Scientific and Technological Talent (Category B), a commitment-based approach shall be adopted for this item. For Foreign Professional Talent (Category B), the certificate of no criminal record shall be issued by the police, security authorities, or courts in the applicant's country of nationality or place of habitual residence, and authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad or the embassy or consulate of the relevant country in China. "Habitual residence" refers to the country or region outside China where the applicant has resided continuously for more than one year after leaving their country of nationality. Certificates issued in the Hong Kong or Macao Special Administrative Region or the Taiwan region shall be notarized by the local notary authority. The certificate shall be issued within the last six months. Sworn statements of no criminal record made by the applicant alone shall not be accepted. Non-sworn certificates of no criminal record issued by diplomatic missions (including foreign embassies or consulates in China) may be accepted directly without further authentication.
7. Medical Examination Certificate: A physical examination record verification certificate or health check certificate issued by a Chinese inspection and quarantine institution for foreign nationals shall be provided, and the date of issuance must be within the past six months. For overseas application for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China, the commitment-based approach may be adopted where applicants can submit a Medical Examination Commitment Letter.
8. Employment Contract or Appointment Certificate: A Chinese version of the contract shall be provided. It must be signed by the applicant and affixed with the official seal of the employer. No alterations are allowed. The employment contract or appointment certificate (including assignment letters from multinational corporations) must include essential details such as the workplace, job duties, salary, duration of work in China, position, and the signature/seal page. An appointment certificate applies to personnel performing duties under intergovernmental or international organization agreements, chief representatives and representatives of various representative offices in China, and foreign contractual service providers. Assignment letters apply to cases where a multinational corporation headquarters or regional headquarters dispatches senior executives including managers or professional technical personnel from overseas to work at subsidiaries or branch offices in China. Such letters must be issued by the headquarters or regional headquarters of the multinational corporation. If the appointment certificate (including assignment letter) lacks any of the required information, a supplementary certificate shall be provided separately. For cases where a multinational corporation's regional headquarters in China dispatches senior executives including managers or professional technical personnel to subsidiaries or branch offices in China, both the assignment letter and the employment contract signed with the regional headquarters in China shall be submitted.
9. Applicant's Passport or International Travel Document: Information page of the passport or international travel document.
The passport must have a remaining validity of no less than six months.
10. Applicant's Front-Facing Bareheaded Photo Taken Within the Last six Months: A recent electronic photo with a white background, no border, full facial features visible, clear image, and free of spots, blemishes, or ink defects. Wearing hats or headscarves is not recommended. If required for religious reasons, the accessory must not cover the applicant's full face.
11. Supporting Documents for Accompanying Family Members: These include the information page of the passport (or international travel document) of the accompanying family members; proof of family relationship (for spouse: marriage certificate; for children: birth certificate or adoption certificate; for parents or spouse's parents: applicant's birth certificate, marriage certificate, or notarized certificate); medical examination report (for family members aged 18 and above); and electronic photo (same requirements as for the principal applicant). Accompanying family members include spouse, children under the age of 18, parents, and spouse's parents.
12. Other Documents: Additional documents as required by the acceptance or decision-making authority based on specific needs.
(II) Domestic Application for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China
1. Application Form for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China: To be completed and printed online. The applicant must sign the form, which must then be stamped with the employer's official seal or the seal of the authorized department within the employer's organization, and uploaded to the system.
2. Foreign Talent Certification Documents: According to the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial), Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, and Cutting-Edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial), and Occupation List for Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial), applicants must provide relevant supporting documents that meet the certification requirements. The applicant must sign and the employer must stamp the application form to agree to allow the permit issuing authority to conduct additional investigations if necessary.
Applicants who reach the points-based criteria for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A) or Foreign Professional Talent (Category B) shall provide the highest academic degree (qualification) certificate, professional qualification certificates, proof of Chinese language proficiency (such as the HSK certificate), proof of annual income for work in China, employment experience documentation, and the points-based evaluation table.
For applications involving salary matters, the employer and the applicant must submit a joint commitment letter. The letter should state the foreigner's monthly (or annual) salary, the amount of monthly (or annual) taxes paid in Shanghai, the tax payment location, and other related commitments. The applicant must sign the letter, and the employer must stamp it with the official seal. The acceptance and decision authority may request the employer to provide corresponding tax documents during the next application.
Foreign High-End Talent (Category A) or Foreign Professional Talent (Category B) recommended by relevant departments must submit a recommendation letter issued by the relevant Shanghai industry authority for the foreigner's work permit application.
3. Proof of Work Experience: Issued by the applicant's previous employer, this document must certify work experience related to the current employment position, including job title, duration of employment, or projects once undertaken. It must bear the official seal of the previous employer or the signature of a responsible person, and provide valid contact phone number or email of the certifying contact person. Applicants meeting the points-based foreign talent standards shall provide proof of work experience fulfilling the required points duration. For Foreign High-End Talent who (I) is selected under domestic talent introduction programs or (II) meets internationally recognized professional achievement standards, as defined in the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) and the Recognition Standards for High-Level, Highly Skilled, and Advanced Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial) for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A), a commitment-based approach shall be adopted. Others meeting standards for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A) shall still provide proof of work experience. If the applicant has received well-known awards in the professional field, corresponding award certificates may be provided. Foreign Professional Talent (Category B) meeting the Occupation List for Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial) shall submit proof documents matching the requirements.
4. Highest Degree (Qualification) Certificate and Authentication Documents: If the highest degree (qualification) certificate is obtained abroad, it shall be authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, or by the embassy or consulate in China of the country where the degree was obtained, or by a recognized Chinese degree authentication agency. If the highest degree (qualification) certificate is obtained in the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions or the Taiwan region, it shall be authenticated by a Chinese degree authentication agency or notarized by a notarization agency in the respective region. If the highest degree (qualification) certificate is obtained within the Chinese mainland, only the original degree (qualification) certificate is required.
For cases involving school ranking requirements, proof of the school's ranking from an official list shall be provided. Outstanding graduates shall provide corresponding academic performance proof.
For Foreign High-End Talent who (I) is selected under domestic talent introduction programs; (II) meets internationally recognized professional achievement standards; (III) meets market-oriented encouraged positions; (IV) is categorized as innovative and entrepreneurial talent; or (VII) is recommended by relevant departments, as defined in the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) and the Recognition Standards for High-Level, Highly Skilled, and Advanced Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial) for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A), a commitment-based approach shall be adopted. Foreign Professional Talent (Category B) meeting the Occupation List for Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial) shall submit proof documents matching the requirements.
5. Relevant Approval Documents and Professional Qualification Certificates: Where laws and regulations of China require prior approval by the competent industry authority or holding a corresponding Chinese entry-level professional qualification, the applicant shall provide the approval documents issued by the competent authority or the professional qualification certificate. Foreign professional qualification certificates shall be authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, or authenticated by the embassy or consulate in China or notarized by the notary authority of the country where the qualification was issued. Certificates obtained in the Hong Kong or Macao Special Administrative Region or the Taiwan region shall be notarized by the local notary authority.
6. Certificate of No Criminal Record and Authentication Documents:
For Foreign High-End Talent (Category A), Urgently Needed Talent (Category B), and Scientific and Technological Talent (Category B), a commitment-based approach shall be adopted for this item. For Foreign Professional Talent (Category B), the certificate of no criminal record shall be issued by the police, security authorities, or courts in the applicant's country of nationality or place of habitual residence, and authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad or the embassy or consulate of the relevant country in China. "Habitual residence" refers to the country or region outside China where the applicant has resided continuously for more than one year after leaving their country of nationality. Certificates issued in the Hong Kong or Macao Special Administrative Region or the Taiwan region shall be notarized by the local notary authority. The certificate shall be issued within the last six months. Sworn statements of no criminal record made by the applicant alone shall not be accepted. Non-sworn certificates of no criminal record issued by diplomatic missions (including foreign embassies or consulates in China) may be accepted directly without further authentication.
In principle, a work-related residence permit shall exempt the submission of a certificate of no criminal record during its validity period. If a foreigner changes employer and the Public Security Exit-Entry Administration cancels the work-related residence permit and replaces it with a residence visa, the certificate of no criminal record shall also be exempted. If the foreigner has not left the country and the work-related residence permit was canceled within one month, the certificate of no criminal record shall likewise be exempted.
7. Medical Examination Certificate: A physical examination record verification certificate or health check certificate issued by a Chinese inspection and quarantine institution for foreign nationals shall be provided, and the date of issuance must be within the past six months. For domestic application for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China, applicants holding a valid residence permit shall be exempt from providing a medical examination certificate (Those holding a work-related residence permit valid for less than 90 days are still required to provide it).
8. Employment Contract or Appointment Certificate: A Chinese version of the contract shall be provided. It must be signed by the applicant and affixed with the official seal of the employer. No alterations are allowed. The employment contract or appointment certificate (including assignment letters from multinational corporations) must include essential details such as the workplace, job duties, salary, duration of work in China, position, and the signature/seal page. An appointment certificate applies to personnel performing duties under intergovernmental or international organization agreements, chief representatives and representatives of various representative offices in China, and foreign contractual service providers. Assignment letters apply to cases where a multinational corporation headquarters or regional headquarters dispatches senior executives including managers or professional technical personnel from overseas to work at subsidiaries or branch offices in China. Such letters must be issued by the headquarters or regional headquarters of the multinational corporation. If the appointment certificate (including assignment letter) lacks any of the required information, a supplementary certificate shall be provided separately. For cases where a multinational corporation's regional headquarters in China dispatches senior executives including managers or professional technical personnel to subsidiaries or branch offices in China, both the assignment letter and the employment contract signed with the regional headquarters in China shall be submitted.
9. Applicant's Passport or International Travel Document: Information page of the passport or international travel document.
The passport must have a remaining validity of no less than six months.
10. Applicant's Valid Visa or Residence Permit: The visa page and the most recent entry stamp page of the passport (or international travel document), or residence permit information page.
11. Applicant's Front-Facing Bareheaded Photo Taken Within the Last Six Months: A recent electronic photo with a white background, no border, full facial features visible, clear image, and free of spots, blemishes, or ink defects. Wearing hats or headscarves is not recommended. If required for religious reasons, the accessory must not cover the applicant's full face.
12. Cancellation Notice or Resignation Certificate: If the applicant changes employer or position, the existing Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China shall be canceled in advance during its validity period. If the employment contract is lawfully terminated and the applicant changes employer within one year while remaining in China to apply for a Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China, a resignation certificate from the previous employer shall be provided.
13. Other Documents: Additional documents as required by the acceptance or decision-making authority based on specific needs.
III. Verification Requirements