SZ issues first 'Join in Card' for expats

Video and photo by Lin Song tao

Shenzhen has introduced its first all-in-one physical card, which integrates a foreigner's work permit and social security card, offering greater convenience to expats residing in the city.

The "Join in Card," which is available in both physical and digital versions, allows expats to access multiple public services in various sectors such as government affairs, transport, tourism, finance, and healthcare without needing to carry their passports or other certificates.

Thalheimer Patrick Charles, chancellor of Maple Leaf International Academy – Shenzhen (MLIAS), displays a card integrating the functions of a foreigner’s work permit and social security card yesterday. He was the city’s first expat to receive such a card.

Thalheimer Patrick Charles, a Canadian who has been living in the city since last June, is the first expat in Shenzhen to receive the card during a launch ceremony in the city yesterday.

“The all-in-one integration is a very good feature,” said Charles, the chancellor of Maple Leaf International Academy – Shenzhen (MLIAS). “The biggest convenience of this card is that I can have it on my phone as a digital copy, rather than having to carry the card all the time to produce my work permit.”

He also mentioned that it would be very convenient to use the card at an ATM to buy Canadian currency.

Thalheimer Patrick Charles, from Canada, receives his"Join in Card" at the Bank of China Shenzhen Branch yesterday. 

On the same day, expats from Germany, the U.S., and Turkmenistan who have been working in Guangdong Province also received the integrated cards in their respective cities, namely Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Zhuhai.

Effective Dec. 1, 2024, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has implemented the "Join in Card" system nationwide, marking a significant shift toward providing more convenient and efficient services for expats.

Work permits and social security cards are important documents for expats in China. In the past, applicants had to visit two departments, submit materials multiple times, and fill in information repeatedly, a process that could take about a month.

Now, they need to apply online only once, and within 10 days, the "Join in Card" will be delivered directly to their homes. An electronic version will also be provided.

Charles poses a group photo with the staff of Bank of China Shenzhen Branch after receiving his "Join in Card" yesterday.