Application for Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts for Short-term Stay in China

I. Target Applicants

1. The hiring entity possesses legal person status and has the capacity to employ foreign experts.

2. There is a clearly defined work assignment in China.

3. A detailed schedule of activities in China is available.

4. Sufficient funds are secured to support the foreign expert’s stay in China.

5. Foreign high-end talents who meet 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) (Category A), or who comply with the provisions of the Notice on Further Improving Procedures for Short-Term Foreign Experts Coming to China (W. Z. F. [2015] No. 176), are eligible to apply for the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts to Work in China.

II. Legal Basis

1. Notice on Further Improving Procedures for Short-Term Foreign Experts Coming to China issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (W. Z. F. [2015] No. 176).

2. Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs on Issuing the Service Guide for Foreigner Work Permit in China (Interim) (W. Z. F. [2017] No. 36).

3. 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).

III. Requirements for Submission of Documents

1. All original color paper documents and their Chinese translations must 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).

IV. Application Procedure

1. The employer of the foreign expert shall submit the application through the Service System for Foreigners Working in China.

2. The handling authority shall accept the application and notify the employing unit of the acceptance result within five working days (excluding the day of material submission).

3. After online acceptance by the receiving agency, the decision-making authority shall review and make a decision within five working days from the date of acceptance, without requiring submission of paper documents for verification.

4. If it's approved, the handling authority shall issue the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts to Work in China.

5. The foreign expert shall apply for an F visa with a stay period not exceeding 90 days (inclusive) at the Chinese visa authority abroad, presenting the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts to Work in China and related documents.

V. Required Documents

1. Application letter for the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts to Work in China (The content shall include the applicant's basic information, reason for coming to China, duration of stay, funding arrangements, a commitment by the employer on the authenticity of the invitation, and guarantee of payment for the invited foreign expert's expenses in China), stamped with the official seal of the employer.

2. Application form for the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts to Work in China, stamped with the official seal of the employer.

3. Passport or international travel document of the foreign expert.

4. Copy of the short-term employment contract or dispatch (invitation) letter, stamped with the official seal of the employer and signed by the legal person or head of the foreign affairs department.

5. Other supporting documents deemed necessary by the issuing authority (for example, Foreign High-End Talent (Category A) meeting the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) and the Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, Cutting-Edge, and Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial) shall submit relevant proof materials).

VI. Important Notes

1. Holders of the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts to Work in China may apply for an F visa and are not required to apply for a work residence permit after entry.

2. If national laws and regulations require prior approval by the competent industry authority or possession of corresponding Chinese entry-level professional qualifications in China, the approval documents from the competent industry authority or professional qualification certificates must also be provided.

3. The employer and the foreigner shall ensure the authenticity of the commitments submitted and actively cooperate with verification work conducted by the approval authorities during interviews and ongoing and ex post regulatory inspections.

If false commitments are provided, the approval authority has the right to cancel the administrative decision in accordance with the law and suspend the employer, agency, and foreigner from applying for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China. Violations of laws and regulations will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

VII. Approval Timeframe

Acceptance period: Five working days (based on the complete and compliant documents submitted online by the employer).

Review period: Five working days (calculated from the date of acceptance).

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.