Paid nearly RMB 90,000 just for hiring a “foreign servant”?

居住在上海松江区的李先生，因听朋友说“外佣”能够提高孩子的英语能力，便聘用了一名非法“外佣”。 为了确保“安全”，他再三叮嘱其深居简出，避免抛头露面。但“纸”终究包不住“火”，非法“外佣”被上海市移民警察在排查中查获。

Mr Li, in Songjiang District, was told by his friend that, the “foreign servant” can improve English ability of his child, he hired an illegal “foreign servant” therefore. In order to ensure "safety", he told the foreigner to stay at home and not to go out. But truth will come to light sooner or later, and the illegally hired foreigner was still caught by police during the investigation.

最终，该名“外佣”因非法入境、非法就业行为被处以行政拘留15日、罚款人民币13000元处罚，李先生因非法聘用“外佣”被罚款10000元，并承担“外佣”数万元的回国机票费用。

At last, the "foreign servant" was sentenced to administrative detention for 15 days and a fine of RMB 13,000 for illegal entry and employment. Mr. Li was fined 10,000 yuan for illegally employing foreigner and responsible for paying thousands for the “foreign servant” to leaving China.

非法“外佣”仅在家中工作了短短几个月，李先生就付了中介费、罚款和机票费用近9万元，得不偿失啊！

The illegal “foreign servant” only worked for Mr. Li for a few months, but Li paid nearly RMB 90,000 on agency fees, fines and air tickets. What a loss!

损失钱财还算小事，但留下案底可就成大问题了！

Losing money may be a small thing, but a criminal record can be a big trouble!

根据中国法律，个人不得雇佣外国人来中国工作，所以李先生的雇佣行为已属于违法行为。

According to Chinese law, individuals are not allowed to hire foreigners to work in China, so Mr. Li's act of employment is totally illegal.

企业单位也只有在办理合法用工手续后才聘用有合法在华工作证件的外国人。

Even enterprises can only hire foreigners who have legal work permit in China through legal employment procedures.

首先，用人单位聘用外国人从事的岗位应是有特殊需要，国内暂缺适当人选，且不违反国家有关规定的岗位。

First of all, the position where the employer hires foreigners should be a position with special needs, a suitable candidate is temporarily lacking in China, and does not violate the relevant regulations of the state.

另外，外国人在中国就业须具备特定条件，才可能申请到来华工作签证。

Only foreigners meeting certain conditions can apply for a work visa and work in China legally.

1️⃣ 年满18周岁，身体健康；

At least 18 years old and in good health.

2️⃣ 具有从事其工作所必须的专业技能和相应的工作经历；

Possess the necessary professional skills and corresponding work experience to engage in their work.

3️⃣ 无犯罪记录；

No criminal record.

4️⃣ 有确定的聘用单位；

There is a definite employing unit.

5️⃣ 持有有效护照或能代替护照的其他国际旅行证件。

Hold a valid passport or other international travel documents equivalent to the passport.

同时，用人单位还需为外国人申请就业许可，外国人入境后取得居留证件才可以在中国境内合法就业。

Apart from work visa, the employer also needs to apply for a work permit (or employment card) for the foreigner. After entry, the foreigner needs to obtain a residence permit before legally working in China. 

Work Permit

Residence Permit for Work (2 years)

需要注意的是，与中国公民不同，外籍人士在华工作是有从业限制的，一旦违反了这些限制，就会因非法就业受到惩处。

Unlike Chinese citizens, foreigners working in China are subject to some restrictions, and punishments will be imposed upon violations.

第一，外籍员工有且只有一个雇佣单位，也就是说，外国人只能为就业证上规定的雇主工作。

First, there is only one employer. That is to say, you can only work for the employer specified in the work permit.

第二，职业与岗位需要与就业卡所注明的一致。

Second, for foreigners working in China, the occupation and position must be the same as those indicated on the work permit.

第三、只能在就业卡签发的城市工作，更具体一点说，是只能在雇佣单位的地址工作。如果你拿的是广州的就业卡，却在北京工作，也是属于非法就业。

Third, the work permit is not universal, you can only work in the city where it is issued, more specifically, you can only work at the address of the company applied. If you have a work permit in Guangzhou, but work in Beijing, it is also considered as illegal employment.

若是工作单位或岗位发生变化，就要去申请办理工作许可转聘手续，以更新就业卡上的工作信息，大概要10到15个工作日。

If you change your employer or position (even still in the same company), you are required to apply for a work permit transfer to update the work information on your employment card, which might cost you 10 to 15 working days.

瀚客在申请来华签证、在华居留方面有着丰富经验，如有疑问，欢迎咨询！

HACOS has rich experience in helping foreigners apply for Chinese visas and residence permits. If you have any questions, welcome to consult us!

HACOS provides free consulting services for exit and entry and Chinese visa. 

If you want to know more about coming to China or doing business here, please contact us!