1.What is the legal basis for the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China?

1.外国人来华工作许可的依据是什么？

Notice on Issuing the Service Guide to the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China (Trial) (No. 36 [2017] SAFEA)
《关于印发外国人来华工作许可服务指南（暂行）的通知》（外专发[2017]36号）

Notice on Comprehensively Implementing the System of the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China (No. 40 [2017] SAFEA)

《关于全面实施外国人来华工作许可制度的通知》（外专发[2017]40号）

2.What is the System of the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China?

2.什么是外国人来华工作许可制度？

The System of the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China is a system by which the Chinese government implements uniform access standards, approval and supervision for foreigners applying to work in China. Under the system, the original foreign experts’ work permit and foreigners’ work permit instruments have been replaced by a Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit, which is available online for employers and applicants to download and print out. The original Foreign Expert Certificate and Alien Employment Permit have been replaced by a Foreigner’s Work Permit, which is a legal certificate for foreigners working in China. Every foreigner is assigned one number for life.

外国人来华工作许可制度是中国政府对外国人申请到中国工作实行统一准入标准和审批监管的制度。外国人来华工作许可将原《外国专家来华工作许可证》《外国人就业许可证》统一为《外国人工作许可通知》，采用电子化形式，用人单位和外国申请人可直接在线打印；原《外国专家证》和《外国人就业证》统一为《外国人工作许可证》。《外国人工作许可证》是外国人在中国工作的合法证件，“一人一号”、终生不变。

3.How do foreigners work legally in Shanghai?

3.外国人如何在沪合法工作?

Article 41 under Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China: Foreigners who work in China shall obtain work permits and work-type residence permits in accordance with relevant regulations. No entities or individuals shall employ foreigners who have no work permits or work-type residence permits.

根据《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》第四十一条规定：外国人在中国境内工作，应当按照规定取得工作证和工作类居留证件。任何单位和个人不得聘用未取得工作许可和工作类居留证件的外国人。

4.Who will be reviewed and what are the criteria in the application for foreigner’s work permit in China?

4.外国人来华工作许可的审批对象和申请条件？

The legal employers in China and their foreign employees will be reviewed on the application for foreigners’ work permit in China.

审批对象：中华人民共和国境内依法设立的用人单位聘用外国人来华工作许可的申请和办理，审批对象为聘用外国人的用人单位和外国人。
(1) Basic Requirements for Employers

(1) 用人单位基本条件：

(a) Employers shall be established by law, without serious illegal and dishonest acts; the employment of foreigners shall be for special needs and the appropriate candidates are in short supply in China, while the post doesn’t violate any government regulations; the salary or remuneration for those foreigners shall not be lower than the local minimum wage.

(a)依法设立，无严重违法失信记录；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；支付所聘用外国人的工资、薪金不得低于当地最低工资标准。

(b) For pre-approval by the industry competent authority by law, it shall be approved.

(b)法律法规规定应由行业主管部门前置审批的，需经过批准。

(2) Basic Requirements for Applicants

(2)申请人基本条件：

(a) Capable applicants with qualified professional skills or knowledge shall have a clearly-defined employer in China and shall be at least 18 years old in good health and without criminal record.

(a)应年满18周岁，身体健康，无犯罪记录，境内有确定的用人单位，具有从事其工作所必需的专业技能或相适应的知识水平。

(b) Those applicants shall engage in urgently needed jobs in China and can make contributions to China’s economic and social development.

(b)所从事的工作符合我国经济社会发展需要，为国内急需紧缺的专业人员。

(c) The laws and regulations which have special provisions, if any, for the employment of foreigners in China shall prevail.

(c)法律法规对外国人来华工作另有规定的，从其规定。

5.What are the classification standards for foreigners working in China?

5.外国人来华工作分类标准是什么？

According to the Notice on Comprehensively Implementing the System of the Foreigner’s Work Permit in China (No. 40 [2017] SAFEA), foreigners working in China are divided into Foreign High-end Talents (Category A), Foreign Professionals (Category B), Other Foreigners (Category C).

根据《关于全面实施外国人来华工作许可制度的通知》（外专发[2017]40号），来华工作外国人分为外国高端人才（A类）、外国专业人才（B类）、其他外国人员（C类）。

6.What is the basic procedure for applying for a Foreigner’s Work Permit?

6.办理外国人来华工作许可的基本流程是什么?

(1) Foreigners outside China

(1)外国人在境外：

Application for Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit —Work Visa (Chinese Embassy and Consulate Abroad)—Entry with a Z Visa—Application for Foreigner’s Work Permit—Work Residence Permit (Entry and Exit)

申请许可通知—工作签证（中国驻外使领馆）—持Z字签证入境—申请许可证—工作类居留许可（出入境）

(2) Foreigners in China

(2)外国人已入境：

Foreigners who have entered China and on certain conditions may apply directly for the Foreigner’s Work Permit.

符合一定条件的已入境申请者可以申请境内直接办理许可证：

Application for Foreigner’s Work Permit — Work-type Residence Permit (Entry-exit administration)

申请许可证—工作类居留许可（出入境）

Or

或者：

Application for Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit — Work-type Residence Permit (Entry-exit administration) — Application for Foreigner’s Work Permit

申请许可通知—工作类居留许可（出入境）—申请许可证

Note: Those who do not meet the conditions mentioned above and have already entered China shall follow the procedure on the newly issued Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit.

注：不符合直接办理《外国人工作许可证》情形的，但已入境的申请人，仍须按新办《外国人工作许可通知》程序办理。