Q1
Want to work in China Legally?
Do you think that everything is done and you can stay in China legally if you obtain a Chinese visa and enter China successfully?
Absolutely No!!!
Actually, foreigners are able to enter China with a valid visa. More importantly, foreigners who enter China and need to reside in the country for reasons other than diplomatic or official purposes shall file an application for a residence permit at the exit and entry departments of public security organs.
If foreigners want to stay and reside in China lawfully, it is necessary for them to apply for the corresponding type of residence permit within limited time period. According to China’s laws and regulations, foreigners are required to apply for residence permit within 30 days from the date of entry.
Types of Residence Permit
China’s residence permit is mainly issued to foreigners who hold these five types of Chinese visas, including Z visa, X1 visa, J1 visa, Q1 visa and S1 visa.
source: en.nia.gov.cn
Work-Type Residence Permit is issued to foreign nationals who enter China with Z visa and work in China.
Study-Type Residence Permit is issued to foreign students who enter China with X1 visa and study in China for a long time.
Foreign Journalist Residence Permit is issued to resident foreign journalists in China who shall enter China with J1 visa.
Family Reunion Residence Permit is issued to Chinese citizens or foreign family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China who enter China with Q1 visa and apply for residence in China due to family reunion, as well as foreign children under 18 years of age of Chinese with a foreign nationality or overseas Chinese in China due to foster care.
Private Business Residence Permit is issued to the spouse, parents, children under 18 years of age, parents-in-law of foreigners residing in China for work and study as well as foreigners who need to reside in China for medical assistance, service or other private affairs. They shall enter China with S1 visa.
Attention
All these types of residence permits shall be applied within 30 days from the date of the entry.
With the increase of our national strength and the development of social economy, more and more foreigners enter China and work in China. China also has some preferential policies to attract foreign investment, and the business environment for foreigners becomes better.
If a foreigner want to work in China legally, he or she not only needs a Z visa, but also needs the work permit as well as the work-type residence permit.
Kindly Reminder
According to China’s laws and regulations, any entity or individual can’t employ foreigners who have not obtained work permits or work-type residence permits. That foreigners work in China without a work permit and a work-type residence permit is illegal employment phenomenon, and foreigners will be fined if they work in China illegally.
To apply for a work-type residence permit, you need to know this!
Foreigners entering China with a Z visa shall submit a work permit issued by the local human resources and social security authority or foreign expert administration authority, and a letter of certification from the employer.
Foreigners entering China with other categories of visas shall submit supporting materials certifying that they comply with the standards for foreign high-level talents, urgently-needed professionals and investors, etc., issued by the competent departments of the Chinese government.
Residence permit with a validity period of no more than 5 years may be issued to foreign high-level talents, urgently-needed professionals and investors.
Residence permit with a validity period of no more than 2 years may be issued to foreigners who work in registered entities with good track record.
For other personnel, a residence permit with a validity period of no more than 1 year may be issued.
Documents required for work-type residence permit
According to the Guide for Foreigners edited by Foreign Affairs Office Guangzhou Municipal People's Government, foreigners coming to work in Guangzhou shall enter with Z Visa and apply for work-type residence permit within 30 days from the date of their entry.
If foreigners apply for work-type residence permit for the first time, they shall respond to questions and provide the following documents during application:
(1)The original and photocopy of his or her valid passport and visa;
(2)Completed Foreign National Visa and Residence Application Form;
(3)A digital photo for the purpose of Guangdong entry/exit documents and its Inspection Note;
(4)Overseas Personnel Temporary Accommodation Form valid in Guangzhou;
(5)Health Certificate issued by Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (required when applying residence permit for the first time);
(6)Notification Letter of Foreigners Work Permit, Foreign Expert Certificate or Foreigners Employment Permit of the People's Republic of China, Permit for Foreign Nationals to Engage in Offshore Oil Operations in the People's Republic of China, or photocopy of approval document for performances issued by agencies authorized by the cultural authority (the original document need to be verified);
(7)A confirmation letter from the employer;
(8)Applicants who enter China with other types of visa may apply for work-type residence permit valid for one year or less with work permit certificate issued by human resources and social security department or foreign experts department;
(9)Other certificates required by the public security authority.
As the work-type residence permit has a period of validity, foreigners are supposed to focus on the expiry date to make sure that they are working in China lawfully. If their work-type residence permit is about to expire, they should remember to apply for extension in advance.
For foreigners residing in China applying for extension of residence period, the applicant shall submit an application to the exit and entry departments of public security organs under a local people's government at or above the county level in the place of residence 30 days before the expiration of the validity period of the residence permit, and submit relevant materials for the application as required.
Attention
Upon review, the period of stay shall be extended provided that the reasons for extension are reasonable and sufficient. In case of a denial on extension of the stay duration, the foreigner shall leave China before the expiry of the residence certificate.
For foreigners whose residence permit is lost, damaged, or stolen, the applicant shall submit a certification for passport loss report or a note from the embassy or consulate of the country of residence in China, or the damaged passport and the new passport or other international travel documents, and a residence permit may be re-issued.
source: National Immigration Administration, Foreign Affairs Office Guangzhou Municipal People's Government
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Work-type residence permit is the legal certificate for foreigners to work in China. To work in China legally, foreigners should own a valid Chinese visa, work permit and work-type residence permit. HACOS reminds that foreigners who enter China with Z visa remember to apply for work-type residence permit within 30 days from the date of entry.
As the application documents and procedures are a little complex, it is useful to choose a professional agency to help you. HACOS has rich experience in helping foreigners apply for Chinese visas, work permit and residence permit. If you have any question about them, welcome to consult us!
Other articles about Chinese visa and work permit that will you.
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Apply for Foreigner's Work Permit in GZ! ①Requirement&Procedure.
What Should You Do If Your Work Permit is About to Expire?
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