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Foreigner's Work Permit - Category A High-End Talent

ChinaTalent and merit

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Which exceptional-talent, academic, scientific, artistic, technological, cultural or other profiles does the pathway target?

Category A covers urgently needed high-end talent such as scientists, technology leaders, international entrepreneurs and specialised experts who meet national priorities and at least one recognized alternative.

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  • Annex A preamble
    一、外国高端人才(A 类) 中国经济社会发展急需的科学家、科技领军人才、国际企业 家、专门特殊人才等“高精尖缺”外国高端人才,符合国家引进 外国人才重点和目录及以下条件之一的,确定为 A 类,实行“绿 色通道”和“容缺受理”服务。

What achievements, recognition, awards, publications, reputation or other evidence establishes the required level?

The Category A criteria include: selection in a talent-introduction programme recognised by an authority at sub-provincial level or above and approved or filed by the central Organisation Department, MOHRSS or the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs; internationally recognised achievements such as a Nobel Prize, listed major awards (e.g. Turing Award, Fields Medal) or academy membership, or three papers as first or corresponding author in JCR Q1/Q2 journals; senior management or technical posts at central SOEs and their second-tier subsidiaries, Fortune 500 global or regional headquarters, national high-tech enterprises or large enterprises, or salary at least six times the local prior-year average; founding an enterprise with own major invention, patent or proprietary technology, stable investment for three years, cumulative actual investment of at least USD 500,000 and at least 30% personal shareholding; postdoctoral research under age 40 at a high-level foreign university or a Chinese university; or 85 points or more.

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Is an employer, nominator, recognised body, peer group or government endorsement required?

Yes, an employer is required: the work-permit procedure applies to employers lawfully established in China hiring foreigners, and the applicant must have a confirmed employer in China. The employer must be lawfully established without serious violations, hire for a post with special need and no suitable domestic candidate, and pay at least the local minimum wage. The permit is decided by the provincial foreign-worker administration or local authorities it authorises. A Z-visa entrant then submits the work permit and a letter of certification from the employer for the work-type residence permit.

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Can the holder change employer, work independently, establish a business or conduct other professional activity? What is the family position?

The status does not itself grant unrestricted employer changes, self-employment or business operation. Work must comply with the permit and purpose. Qualifying close relatives may apply for separate private-affairs residence based on the resident sponsor. A change of employer requires cancellation of the old permit and a new application; the specified qualifying same-occupation group transfer uses a 30-day application window after cancellation. A title change with the same employer needs supporting proof, while a change of occupation requires a new permit.

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  • Article 37
    第三十七条 外国人在中国境内停留居留,不得从事与停留居留事由不相符的活动,并应当在规定的停留居留期限届满前离境。
  • Article 41
    第四十一条 外国人在中国境内工作,应当按照规定取得工作许可和工作类居留证件。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。
  • V(2)(e)
    For foreigners entering China with S1 visa for the purpose of visiting family, the applicant shall submit a letter explaining the kinship (spouse, parents, spouse's parents, minor children below 18) from and the residence permit of the person being visited. A residence permit with a validity period consistent with that of the residence permit of the person being visited in China may be issued.
  • Work service guide printed page 13
    备注:1.属于在华工作的外国人变换用人单位的,应先行注 销现有工作许可。 2.跨国公司在华地区总部及企业集团人员内部流动,指跨国 公司在华地区总部或企业集团聘用的经理等高级管理人员和专业 技术人员,在地区总部与其已向许可决定机构备案的全资或合资 的分公司、子公司之间(母公司与其成员公司或者成员公司之间) 的相同岗位上流动(包括改任新职务或从专业岗位提升至行政管 理岗位)。注销原工作许可后,自注销之日起 30 日内提交新工作 许可申请,应提交外国人来华工作许可申请表、聘用合同(派遣 函)、有效居留许可、护照信息页及注销证明。岗位变动的,应 补充提交相关工作资历证明。
  • Work service guide printed page 14
    5.申请外国人来华工作许可延期 用人单位在原岗位(职业)继续聘用申请人的,应当在申请 人的来华工作许可有效期届满 30 日前向决定机构提出申请。 原件/ 纸质 序号 提交材料清单 份数 要求 备注 复印件 /电子 外国人来华工 纸质/ 在线填写打印,申请人签字、加盖用 1 作许可延期申 原件 1份 电子 人单位公章后上传至系统。 请表 聘用合同或任 纸质/ 应提供中文合同,应由申请人签 2 原件 1份 职证明 电子 名并加盖单位公章,不得涂改。 签证或有效居 纸质/ 护照(或国际旅行证件)签证页、入 3 原件 1份 留许可 电子 境签章页或居留许可信息页。 包括现行 有效期内 《外国人工作 的《外国专 4 原件 1份 卡证 许可证》 家证》和 《外国人 就业证》。 5 其他 备注: 1.我国法律法规规定应由行业主管部门前置审批,应提供行业主管部门批准文书。 2.同一单位内改任新职务的,包括从专业岗位提升至行政管理岗位,延期时应提交岗位变更证明。 3.改任新岗位(职业)的,应重新申请办理外国人来华工作许可。 4.按外国高端人才(A 类)申请延期的,需提交相应证明材料。 5.所有纸质材料原件及中文翻译件均应以电子方式上传至办理系统。 — 14 —

What duration, renewal and accelerated or normal longer-term residence pathway is officially stated?

For Category A applicants, the decision authority decides work-permit applications, extensions and cancellations within five working days, and a work permit of up to five years may be granted. Residence permits of up to five years may be issued to high-level talents; residence extensions are applied for 30 days before the permit expires. Under the NIA facilitation measures published by Beijing police, high-level foreign talent recommended by national competent departments, provincial governments or key development-zone authorities may apply for permanent residence, with spouse and minor children.

See recorded sources

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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