Application for the Foreigner's Work Permit in the People's Republic of China (Category C–Foreign University Graduates)

I. Scope of Applicants

This guideline applies to foreign university graduates, divided into two main categories: international students and foreign graduates from overseas universities. The specific classifications are as follows:

(I) International Students

1. International students who have obtained a bachelor's degree or above from universities in Shanghai and intend to work for employers located in the Zhangjiang National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone or China (Shanghai) Pilot Free-Trade Zone and Lin-gang Special Area, Hongqiao CBD, the "Five New Towns" (Jiading, Qingpu, Songjiang, Fengxian, and Nanhui), or areas listed in the "Shanghai Sci-Tech Innovation Occupation List".

2. Outstanding international graduates who have obtained a master's degree or above from universities in China and intend to work in Shanghai.

(II) Foreign Graduates from Overseas Universities

1. Outstanding foreign university graduates who have obtained a bachelor's degree or above from high-level universities abroad (or in the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions) and intend to work for employers located in the Zhangjiang National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone or China (Shanghai) Pilot Free-Trade Zone, Lin-gang Special Area, Hongqiao CBD, the "Five New Towns" (Jiading, Qingpu, Songjiang, Fengxian, and Nanhui), or within the scope of the "Shanghai Sci-Tech Innovation Occupation List".

2. Outstanding foreign graduates who have obtained a master's degree or above from high-level universities abroad (or in the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions) and intend to work in Shanghai.

II. 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. At least 18 years of age and in good health.

2. Possess the educational background, degree, and professional skills required for the intended position.

3. No record of misconduct during the period of study.

4. No criminal record.

5. Graduation within the past two years.

6. Have a confirmed employer, and the employer must be legally operating and conducting activities within the administrative region of Shanghai.

The position undertaken by the foreign university graduate must be relevant to their field of study (except for international students who have obtained a bachelor's degree or above from universities in Shanghai and intend to work for employers located in the Zhangjiang National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone or China (Shanghai) Pilot Free-Trade Zone, Lin-gang Special Area, Hongqiao CBD, the "Five New Towns", or within the scope of the "Shanghai Sci-Tech Innovation Occupation List"). In principle, the salary must not be lower than the local minimum wage standard.

7. Hold a valid passport or other international travel documents that can substitute for a passport.

8. Other conditions prescribed by laws and regulations.

III. 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 foreign university graduate must sign the form (a copy or fax is acceptable), and it must be affixed with the official seal of the employer or its authorized department before being uploaded to the system.

2. Letter of Intent for Employment: The document shall clearly specify the employer in Shanghai, job responsibilities, working hours, and intended salary, and must be signed and sealed by both parties.

3. Statement of Employment Justification: The document shall be stamped with the official seal of the employer.

4. Complete Chinese Resume of the Foreign University Graduate: The document shall include educational background and internship or work experience, and must be stamped with the official seal of the employer.

5. 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 (qualification) 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.

Foreign graduates from overseas universities shall have graduated from high-level universities abroad (or in the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions). The list of such universities shall be based on the rankings published through the "Service System for Foreigners Working in China" by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.

6. Certificate of No Criminal Record and Authentication Documents: They 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 a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, or by the embassy or consulate of the issuing country in China. (Habitual residence refers to a country or region where the applicant has resided continuously for more than one year after leaving their country of nationality, excluding the Chinese mainland). Certificates issued in the Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan region shall be notarized by the notary authority of the respective region. 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. Certificate of No Misconduct During Enrollment Issued by the University Attended by the Foreign Graduate (may be waived for foreign graduates from overseas universities): The certificate must be stamped by the university or its security office or international student office.

8. Foreign graduates holding a bachelor's degree and working in the Zhangjiang National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone or China (Shanghai) Pilot Free-Trade Zone, Lin-gang Special Area, or Hongqiao CBD must provide a work certificate issued by the respective administrative committee of the Shanghai Pilot Free-Trade Zone, Zhangjiang High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Lin-gang Special Area, or Hongqiao CBD.

9. Passport or International Travel Document of the Foreign Graduate: Information page of the passport or international travel document. The passport must have a remaining validity of no less than six months.

10. 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. Prior to entry into China, applicants may adopt the commitment mechanism by submitting a Medical Examination Commitment Letter.

Wearing hats or headscarves is not recommended. If required for religious reasons, the accessory must not cover the applicant's full face.

12. Outstanding foreign university graduates shall submit academic performance documents, demonstrating excellent academic results, with an average score of no less than 80 (on a 100-point scale, or converted from other grading systems), or B+/B and above (on a letter-grade scale).

13. 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 foreign university graduate must sign the form, and it must be affixed with the official seal of the employer or its authorized department before being uploaded to the system.

2. Letter of Intent for Employment: The document shall clearly specify the employing organization in Shanghai, job responsibilities, working hours, and intended salary, and must be signed and sealed by both parties.

3. Statement of Employment Justification: The document shall be stamped with the official seal of the employer.

4. Complete Chinese Resume of the Foreign Graduate: The document shall include educational background and internship or work experience, and must be stamped with the official seal of the employer.

5. Highest Degree (Qualification) Certificate and Authentication Documents: If the highest degree (qualification) certificate is obtained within the Chinese mainland, only the original degree (qualification) certificate is required.

7. Certificate of No Misconduct During Enrollment Issued by the University Attended by the Foreign Graduate: The certificate must be stamped by the university and its security office or international student office.

8. Foreign graduates holding a bachelor's degree and working in the Zhangjiang National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone or China (Shanghai) Pilot Free-Trade Zone, Lin-gang Special Area, or Hongqiao CBD must provide a work certificate issued by the respective administrative committee of the Shanghai Pilot Free-Trade Zone, Zhangjiang High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Lin-gang Special Area, or Hongqiao CBD.

9. Valid Passport and Valid Visa or Residence Permit of the Foreign Graduate: Information page of the passport or international travel document (the passport must be valid for no less than six months), visa page, most recent entry stamp page, or residence permit information page.

10. 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.

11. Foreign Graduate'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.

13. Cancellation Notice or Resignation Certificate: If a foreign graduate changes employer or position within one year of graduation and the current Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China is still valid, the existing work permit must be canceled in advance. 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 must be provided.

14. Other Documents: Additional materials as required by the acceptance or decision-making authority based on specific needs.

IV. Verification Requirements

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 pre-review, the applicant shall bring the original documents to the accepting authority for verification.

V. Important Notes

1. The initial validity period of the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China for foreign graduates working in Shanghai is one year. Upon expiration of the employment period, if the employer intends to continue the employment, the employer must complete the required approval procedures as stipulated, and the extension period shall not exceed five years.

2. If the individual income tax paid by the foreign graduate is lower than the taxable amount corresponding to the intended salary, or if the salary offered by the employer is below the prescribed standard, the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China will not be extended.

3. Employment of foreign graduates in Shanghai is subject to quota management.