Guidebook for work permit in China for foreigners in Guangzhou

Launched on 1 May 2018

The guidebook is based on the related regulations of current working permit system for foreigners in China. It will be revised in case the regulations have emendations. 

If a foreigner works legally in the city of Guangzhou, he or she shall obtain a permit for foreigner to work in China. The application guidelines are as follows:

I What are the requirements for foreigners to apply for work in China

1. Foreigners should be over 18 years of age, healthy, have no criminal record, have established employers in the territory, and have the necessary professional skills or appropriate level of knowledge to perform their work.

2. The engaged work should be in line with the needs of our country's economic and social development, and the role should be in urgent need in our country.

3. Where the laws and regulations otherwise provide for foreigners to work in China, such provisions shall be followed. 

II What are the requirements for a unit that employs foreigners to work?

1. To be established in accordance with the law, with no record of serious breach of promise; the position in which foreigners are employed should be those with special needs, suitable candidates not available in the country and not in violation of the relevant regulations of the country; the salary of foreign employees should not be lower than the local minimum salary.

2. Where laws and regulations provide for prior examination and approval by the competent department of the industry, approval is required.

III What kind of foreigners can be exempt from working permits in China?

1. Foreign ambassadors to China, persons enjoying diplomatic privileges and immunities in Consulates and United Nations representative offices in China and other international organizations.

2. Foreigners who have obtained the right of permanent residence in China (Chinese Green Card).

3. Foreign labor workers who hold the permit for foreigners to work in the offshore oil industry in the people's Republic of China; foreign labor workers who engage in offshore oil operations without the need to land and have special skills.

4. Foreigners who have obtained the approval of the Ministry of Culture to carry out business performances with the "license for temporary business performance".

5. Other cases of exemption explicitly stipulated by laws and regulations. 

IV Ways for qualified foreigners to apply for work permits in China

1. First, you must submit the application materials online

To apply for the work permit in China for foreigners should first log on the online "management and service system for foreigners in China" (website:http://fwp.safea.gov.cn/   Hereinafter referred to as "system") to submit application materials. The employing units that have never applied for work permits in China, please log into the system and register before applying. 

2. Field service at accepting institution

After passing the online preliminary examination, the employing unit shall go to the corresponding accepting institution to handle the follow-up business on the spot.

V. Holders of the "Foreign experts' Certificate" and the "Alien Employment Certificate" are required to handle the following matters

1. Certificate will soon expire (30 days < valid < 90 days), and the foreigner needs to continue to apply for work in the original unit

2. Passport number and other information have changed and need to be changed.

3. Certificate is lost and needs to be reapplied.

4. Foreigner is ready to leave the job and the certificate needs to be withdrawn.

5. Foreigners voluntarily replace valid certificates with new aliens work permits.