A seminar on visa policies for foreign talent working in China was held at Yuehai Enterprise Service (YES) in Nanshan District over the weekend.

The seminar invited Tian Ye, a senior consultant with the global recruitment platform GEOR, to lecture on the latest foreign-talent policy updates, key issues when preparing for talent visas by enterprises and individuals, change of employers, and bridging stay periods.

A scene at the seminar on visa policies for foreign talent working in China held at Yuehai Enterprise Service in Nanshan District over the weekend. Photos courtesy of the event organizer

According to the latest regulations from the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA), work visa categories for foreigners remain unchanged in 2025 — Category A (high-end talent), Category B (professional talent), and Category C (ordinary talent).

However, application requirements, approval procedures, and documentation requirements have been modified. This is crucial for enterprises and helps them better plan their recruitment and retention strategies for foreign talent.  

A speaker answers questions from attendees after the seminar. 

Tian also used cases to explain the application process and key considerations for foreigners' work visas. She provided a detailed list of required documents and highlighted common errors in the authentication of educational degrees, translation of no-criminal-record certificates, and other materials.  

Attendees listen attentively as a speaker introduces relavent procedures. 

Tian also reviewed common reasons for visa rejections, such as incomplete documentation and non-compliant contracts, and their solutions. She also discussed extension and transfer procedures like changing employers and bridging stay periods.

Q: What are the websites for applying for a work permit?

A: There are two application channels. 

https://fwp.safea.gov.cn/lhgzweb/ (for work permit only)

https://wgfw.ga.sz.gov.cn/ (for both work permit and resident permit, only applicable to enterprises and individuals in Shenzhen)

Q: Should the employment contract be in Chinese or English?

A: The employment contract must be in Chinese and should include:  

- Employer and employee details  

- Work location, job responsibilities, and salary  

- Employee's duration of stay in China and position  

- Company stamp and signatures  

Q: What documents are required when applying for work permits and residence permits?

A: Applying for a work permit requires the following materials: passport information, original and certified copies of education degree and no-criminal-record certificates (with translations), a medical examination report, proof of work experience, an employment contract, a work permit application form, a digital copy of a white-background photo, an employment justification report, and additional documents if required.

Applying for a residence permit requires the following materials: passport, a medical exam report (issued within 6 months by Shenzhen Port Hospital), a receipt of digital photo, a temporary residence registration form for foreigners , a blue-background photo (48×33mm), a foreigner visa application form, a guarantee letter from the employer, a work permit approval document, and any other materials requested by the Public Security Bureau.

Q: Can foreigners apply for a 3-year or 5-year work visa directly?  

A: The visa duration generally matches the employment contract period, but the final decision rests with immigration authorities. First-time applicants usually receive a 1-year permit, while high-end talent (Category A) or those with 3+ years of continuous work experience in China may qualify for longer stays. 

Q: After obtaining the work permit notification and entering China, can enterprises modify job position/salary by submitting a new contract?

A: If changes are needed after entry, the original application must be canceled, and a new work permit notification must be applied for.

Q: After the integration of work and residence permits, is a physical social security card still required?

A: From a visa processing perspective, foreigners are not mandated to obtain a physical card. The electronic work permit (e-social security card) and residence permit will suffice. However, foreigners may apply for a physical card if needed. 

Q: Can a foreigner with a degree from a non-prestigious overseas university apply for a work permit?

A: Yes, as long as the degree is authenticated by the Chinese embassy/consulate and meets work permit requirements.   

Q: If a subsidiary transfers a foreign employee to its parent company, is a new work visa required?  

A: Yes. Since the parent company has a separate business license, a new work visa must be applied for.

Q: How to complete temporary residence registration?

A: To complete temporary residence registration, an expat should: 

1. Report to the local police station within 24 hours of arrival;

2. If he/she stays at a hotel (connected to the police system), no additional registration is needed; 

3. Some residences provide QR codes for online registration; 

4. Online registration is available via:  

- The Shenzhen Public Security Bureau’s official website  

-The Shenzhen Foreigner Integrated Management Platform  

Q: Why is the company’s registration information showing as "abnormal"?

A: This occurs if a company's details (address, contact person, etc.) change or annual tax certificates are not updated. If this happens, submit a company information update form, which is typically processed in 2-3 days.

The Shenzhen5-day Visaon Arrival, also known as the Shenzhen 5-Day VOA, allows visitors from most countries to stay in Shenzhen for up to 5 days without having to apply for a regular visa. During these 5 days, visitors cannot leave Shenzhen to travel to other cities on the Chinese mainland.

The Shenzhen 5-Day SEZ Visa fee varies depending on the applicant's nationality. For most countries, the fee is 168 yuan (approximately US$25). However, for U.K. citizens, the fee is 314 yuan (about £36), and for U.S. citizens, it is 956 yuan (around US$138).