China work permit categorization system for foreigners was rolled out nationwide on April 1, 2017. The new system has also introduced a three-Category talent grading system for expatriates. Expats eligible for Category A are able to enjoy some additional advantages, those falling in Category B and Category C may face tougher entry requirements. The specific of each category are listed below.
China Work Permit - Category A
Applicants fall under Category A if they meet any of the following conditions:
1. Score at least 85 points;
2. Are employed through one of China’s regional plans for the introduction of foreign talent;
3. Adhere to internationally recognized standards for their field:
(1) Awarded for excellence in their field;
(2) Assumed leadership at a well-known academic institution or international organization, such as ISO;
(3) Contributed as chief editor or other senior position in a high ranking national journal for science and technology;
(4) Occupied a middle-upper management, professorship, or assistant-professorship position at a world renowned academic institution;
(5) Worked in a senior management position at one of the world’s leading banking or financial institutions;
(6) Prize holders of prominent awards in the arts;
4. Are applying for a position in China adhering to one of the criteria listed above, or those to be employed in:
(1) A senior management or technical position in large scale industry;
(2) A research or engineering center in China;
(3) A high level position at a foreign enterprise in a middle-sized industry;
(4) Those to be employed in a senior position at a top Category hospital, province level hospital or foreign funded hospital.
China Work Permit - Category B
Applicants fall under Category B if they meet any of the following conditions:
1. Score 60-84 points;
2. Have a bachelor’s degree or above, two years of work experience in a relevant field;
3. Hold an internationally recognized certification for a skill, or possessing a skill, that is urgently needed in the Chinese labor market;
4. Teach a foreign language and hold a bachelor’s degree or above and two years of experience in teaching; two years of experience is not required for those with a bachelor’s degree or above in education or in the language that they are teaching, or another form of internationally recognized teaching certification;
5. Persons earning over four times the average local salary.
China Work Permit - Category C
Applicants fall under Category C if they meet any of the following conditions:
1. Score under 60 points;
2. Hold a work permit under the old system, but do not qualify for the A- or B-Category under the new system;
3. Are undertaking short term work in China (under 90 days); or
4. Positions subject to quotas, such as young talent coming to China for internships.
A work permit is the permission to take a job within a foreign country. Considering the fact that each case is unique and there are differences between each city’s immigration and labour processes, should you need more information on work permit application in China, you can contact Tannet. Our consultants are always here to help.
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If you have further inquires, please do not hesitate to contact Tannet at anytime, anywhere by simply visiting Tannet’s website english.tannet-group.com, or calling Hong Kong hotline at 852-27826888 or China hotline at 86-755-82143512, or emailing to tannet-solution@hotmail.com. You are also welcome to visit our office situated in 16/F, Taiyangdao Bldg 2020, Dongmen Rd South, Luohu, Shenzhen, China.
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