By China Briefing
On September 9, 2016, the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs’ (SAFEA) announced that the existing Foreign Expert Permit and Alien Employment License will be merged into a single permit. The new permit introduces a tiered classification system for foreign workers, as well as a streamlined online application and tracking system to attract more high-level foreign talent.
Before the new foreign work permit rolls out nationwide on April 1, 2017, the government will test the system by implementing a pilot scheme in select regions starting on October 1. Foreign workers in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Anhui, Guangdong, Hebei, Shandong, Sichuan, Ningxia, and potentially other regions will be included in the pilot program.
Current System
China’s foreign employment system includes two foreign work permits: the Alien Employment Permit (Z-visa) and the Foreign Expert Permit (R-visa). While the Alien Employment Permit is issued for general employment, the Foreign Expert Permit is issued to “high-level” talent, or candidates whose skills are urgently needed in China’s labor market. The two permits are issued by different government entities: the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security manages the Alien Employment License and SAFEA controls the Foreign Expert Permit.
Under the current system, it is sometimes unclear which permit candidates should apply for. The application system is also largely paper-based and highly bureaucratic, resulting in months-long turnaround times. Full details on the current application procedure can be seen here.
New System
The government has prioritized streamlining the foreign employment system to encourage high-quality foreign candidates to work in China. Under the new system, there will be one work permit document, which will likely take the form of an ID card. Each applicant will be assigned a unique ID number that does not change, regardless of permit renewal or change of employer. The government aims to optimize service quality and efficiency in managing these new foreign work permits.
Application Procedure
Instead of submitting paper applications, an online application system will be implemented and documentation requirements will be reduced by nearly 50 percent; submissions of personal CVs and application letters are no longer required.
Tiered Classification
To evaluate which candidates qualify for the new work permit, SAFEA introduced a points-based, three-tiered classification system for foreign workers. Points are assigned to applicants based on their education background, salary level, age, time spent working in China, and Chinese language level. Candidates applying to work in less developed areas may receive additional points. Applicants placed in the “A” tier, scoring 85 points and over, are eligible for service through a “green channel,” which offers a pre-entry visa, paperless verification, expedited approval, and other facilitation measures. The tiers and their eligibility requirements are structured as follows:
Implications for Employers and Foreign Workers
The restructure of the foreign work permit system should create a more simple and less time consuming application process. Not only will applicants need to provide fewer materials, but SAFEA appears to be showing more transparency in its evaluation process and criteria. Foreign employees with existing work permits can choose to retain their documents or apply for the new permit when it becomes available. However, the tier system may facilitate tighter admission standards, as China has become more selective about foreign workers, especially in tier 1 cities like Beijing and Shanghai, where there are higher concentrations of foreign employees.
About the Author
This article was first published on China Briefing, a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Since its establishment in 1992, Dezan Shira & Associates has been guiding foreign clients through Asia’s complex regulatory environment and assisting them with all aspects of legal, accounting, tax, internal control, HR, payroll and audit matters. As a full-service consultancy with operational offices across China, Hong Kong, India and emerging ASEAN, we are your reliable partner for business expansion in this region and beyond.
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