Application for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in the People’s Republic of China for STEM Graduates from Foreign Universities

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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 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 necessary for the job.

2. The position shall align with China's economic and social development needs and be one in urgent demand.

3. The applicant should hold a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field.

(1) STEM doctoral graduates shall have graduated within the past five years from a university ranked among the top 200 in the world and be 40 years old or younger.

(2) STEM master's degree holders and above must have graduated from a world-class university (ranked among the top 500 globally) or from a Chinese "Double First-Class" university.

(3) STEM bachelor's degree holders and above must have graduated from a domestic or overseas university ranked among the top 500 in the world with a STEM major and be engaged in a position related to their professional field (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).

4. If laws or regulations specify other conditions for foreigners working in China, such provisions shall apply.

II. Legal Basis

1. Notice by the General Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the General Office of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security 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).

2. Several Policy Measures for Actively Attracting and Gathering Talent to Boost Economic Recovery and Revitalization

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. 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. 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 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.

3. Certificate of No Criminal Record and Authentication Documents: They shall be issued by the police, security, or court authorities 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 regions 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.

4. 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.

5. 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, a commitment-based approach may be adopted where applicants can submit a Medical Examination Commitment Letter.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Other Documents:

(1) Proof of University Ranking and Academic Performance Documents:

STEM doctoral graduates shall provide a screenshot showing the university ranked within the world's top 200, stamped with the company seal. STEM master's and bachelor's degree holders shall select their university from the system during the application. If world-renowned universities or domestic "Double First-Class" universities are not listed in the selectable options within the system, a screenshot of the university ranking shall be provided and stamped with the company seal. Academic performance documents may be provided to reflect the STEM field of study.

(2) Employment Justification Report: Foreign graduates with a bachelor's degree or above shall engage in a position related to their professional field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). The employer shall submit a justification report explaining the relevance between the job position and the professional field, stamped with the company seal.

(3) 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

2. 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 certificate is required.

4. 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.

5. 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, holders of a valid residence permit are exempt from providing a medical examination certificate.

8. Cancellation Notice or Resignation Certificate: If a foreign graduate changes employer or position 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.

9. Other Documents:

(1) Proof of University Ranking and Academic Performance Documents: STEM doctoral graduates shall provide a screenshot showing the university ranked within the world's top 200, stamped with the company seal. STEM master's and bachelor's degree holders shall select their university from the system during the application. If world-renowned universities or domestic "Double First-Class" universities are not listed in the selectable options within the system, a screenshot of the university ranking shall be provided and stamped with the company seal. Academic performance documents may be provided to reflect the STEM field of study.

(3) Additional documents 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 list of domestic "Double First-Class" universities shall be based on the official list published by the state.

2. For high-level universities abroad (or in the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions), reference can be made to the top 500 university rankings published by the following institutions: Times Higher Education (UK), U.S. News & World Report (USA), QS World University Rankings (Quacquarelli Symonds), and Shanghai Ranking's Academic Ranking of World Universities.

3. Foreign graduates with STEM majors may be hired citywide without quota restrictions.