How to Get a Employment Permit for a Foreigner Working in China

Step 1. The employer shall go to the competent labor authority to apply for Employment License;

Step 2. The employer shall go to the competent commerce authority to apply for Inviting Letter if the foreigner is outside China; If the foreigner is inside the territory of China, the temporary Employment Visa shall be applied;

Step 3. The employer shall go through formality for the Employment Permit before the competent labor authority;

Step 4. The employer shall go to the competent public security for obtaining Residence Certificate.

Materials required for the application for the Employment License for Foreigners by enterprises

1. The original and a photocopy of the business license of the enterprise legal entity (duplicate), the certificate of approval, the articles of association and the joint venture operation contract;
2. A written application for the employment of the foreigner (explaining in detail the reasons for the employment and the position to be appointed, affixed with the official seal of the employer); 
3. The intention or agreement of employment for the foreigner to be employed (a board resolution should be attached for the employment of a foreigner filling the position above the rank of deputy general manager);
4. The Chinese curriculum vitae and the credentials of qualifications of the foreigner to be employed (the original and a photocopy of the academic degree certificate, the professional skills qualification certificate and the credentials of over two years of relevant work experiences of the foreigner to be employed are required);
5. A photocopy of the valid passport of the foreigner to be employed;
6. A photocopy of the health certificate of the foreigner to be employed issued by a foreign medical institution recognized by the Chinese embassy or consulate in the concerned country or issued by the health and quarantine department designated by the Chinese government;
7. An Application Form for the Employment of Foreigners (with the official seal affixed to the applicant signature/seal line) and a recent passport-size photo of the foreigner to be employed;

Time limit for handling: 10 working days. 

Materials required for the application for Employment Permit for Foreigners by enterprise:
1. Employment License for Foreigners;
2. Health certificate of the foreigner to be employed (the health certificate issued or confirmed by the Beijing Entry/Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau is required);
3. A photocopy of business license (duplicate) of the applying enterprise;
4. The original and a photocopy of the labor contract entered into by and between the applying enterprise and the foreigner to be employed;
5. The original and a photocopy of the valid passport of the foreigner to be employed;
6. Employment Registration Form for Foreigners (affixed with official seal on the applicant signature line) and two recent passport-size photos of the foreigner to be employed.

Time limit for handling: 5 working days

Materials required for the application for Employment Permit for Foreigners by representative offices of foreign enterprises in China:

1. The original and a photocopy of industrial and commercial registration certificate;
2. The original and a photocopy of Work Permit for Employee of Permanent Representative Office of Foreign Enterprise in China;
3. The Chinese curriculum vitae and the credentials of qualifications of the foreigner to be employed (the original and a photocopy of the academic degree certificate, the professional skills qualification certificate and the credentials of over two years of relevant work experiences of the foreigner to be employed are required);
4. The original and a photocopy of the passport of the foreigner who holds an employment visa for entry;
5. The health certificate of the foreigner to be employed (the health certificate issued or confirmed by the Beijing Entry/Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau is required);
6. An Employment Registration Form for Foreigners (affixed with official seal on the applicant signature line) and two recent passport-size photos of the foreigner to be employed;

Time limit for handling: 5 working days

Documents for obtaining Residence Permit:

Documents for Registration of Foreigners Among Domestic Investment Enterprises

Foreign employees employed by domestic investment enterprises in Beijing and their dependents (spouse minor children) should hold "Z" (vocational) visa when entry, and process resident application procedures to Exit & Entry Administration, Public Security Bureau in Beijing within 30 days after entry, generally, the valid period of residence permit will not exceed one year, and not exceed the expiry of the passport, too.

Must provide the following documents and evidential materials when process residence permit's application:

1. One's valid passport and visa;

2. Originals and copies of duplicate of "Business License" issued by administrative department for industry & commerce;

3. Originals and copies of "Employment Certificate" issued by Bureau of Labor & Social Security in Beijing;

4. Original "Health Certification" submitted by Beijing Exit & Entry Inspection & Quarantine Bureau;

5. Two recent, two in., half-length, bareheaded, full-faced photo (both black-and-white photophotochrome is ok);

6. Adding the official seal of the unit when fill out "Application Form for Visa Residence Permit", and stick a recent, two in., bareheaded, full-faced photo;

Working not exceed one year in Beijing, can apply for temporary residence permit, and the "Health Certificate" is waived.

Documents for Registration of Foreign Journalists in Beijing

Foreign journalists in Beijing should hold "J-1" (journalist) visa when entry, and process resident application procedures to Exit & Entry Administration, Public Security Bureau in Beijing within 30 days after entry, generally, the valid period of residence permit will not exceed one year, and not exceed the expiry of the passport, too.

Must provide the following documents and evidential materials when process residence permit's application:

1. One's valid passport and visa;

2. Originals of "Press Card" issued by Department of News, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; workers of foreign press organizations must provide the official letter of Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs when apply for residence permit;

3. Original "Health Certification" submitted by Beijing Exit & Entry Inspection & Quarantine Bureau;

4. Two recent, two in. half-length, bareheaded, full-faced photo (both black-and-white photophotochrome is ok).

5. Adding the official seal of the unit when fill out "Application Form for Visa Residence Permit", and stick a recent, two in., bareheaded, full-faced photo.

Working not exceed one year in Beijing, can apply for temporary residence permit, and the "Health Certificate" is waived.