According to the latest regulations from the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, China’s work visa categories for foreigners will 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.

根据国家外国专家局的最新规定，2025年中国针对外国人的工作签证类别将保持不变：A类（高端人才）、B类（专业人才）和C类（普通人才）。然而，申请要求、审批程序和文件要求已有所修改。

Q: What are the application websites?

问：申请网站是什么？

https://fwp.safea.gov.cn/lhgzweb/ （外国人来华工作管理服务系统首页）

https://wgfw.ga.sz.gov.cn/ （外国人服务平台）

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

问：雇佣合同应使用中文还是英文？

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

Employer and employee details

雇主和雇员的详细信息

Work location, job responsibilities, and salary

工作地点、职责、薪资

Duration of stay in China and position

在中国的停留期限和职位

Company stamp and signatures

公司印章和签字

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

问：申请工作许可和居留许可需要哪些文件？

A: For a work permit:

答：申请工作许可需要以下文件：

Passport information

护照信息

Original and certified copies of education degrees and no-criminal-record certificates (with translations)

学历学位证书原件及认证副本（需翻译）

Medical examination report

无犯罪记录证明原件及认证副本（需翻译）

Proof of work experience

工作经验证明

Employment contract

雇佣合同

Work permit application form

工作许可申请表

Digital copy of a white-background photo

白底照片的电子版

Employment justification report

雇佣理由报告

Additional documents if required

如有需要，还需提供其他文件

For a residence permit:

申请居留许可需要以下文件：

Original passport

护照原件

Medical exam report (no more than 6 months old, secured from Shenzhen Port Hospital)

体检报告（不超过6个月，需从深圳口岸医院获取）

Digital photo receipt

照片回执

Foreigner temporary residence registration form

外国人临时居留登记表

Blue-background photo (48×33mm)

蓝底照片（48×33mm）

Foreigner visa application form

外国人签证申请表

Guarantee letter from an employer

雇主担保信

Work permit approval document

工作许可批准文件

Any other materials requested by the Public Security Bureau

公安局要求的其他材料

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

问：外国人可以直接申请3年或5年的工作签证吗？

A: The visa duration generally matches the period of the employment contract, 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 over 3 years of continuous work in China may qualify for longer stays.

答：签证有效期通常与雇佣合同的期限一致，但最终决定权归移民局。首次申请者通常获得1年的许可，而A类高端人才或在中国连续工作超过3年的人可能有资格获得更长期限。

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

问：获得工作许可通知并进入中国后，是否可以通过提交新合同来更改职位/薪资？

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

答：如果在入境后合同发生变化，必须取消原申请，并重新申请工作许可通知。

Q: After a work permit and a residence permit are integrated, should one still apply for a physical social security card?

问：工作许可和居留许可整合后，是否仍需申请实体社保卡？

A: From a visa processing perspective, foreigners are not required to obtain a physical social security card. The electronic work/residence permit serves as an electronic social security card. Foreigners may apply for a physical social security card if needed.

答：从签证处理的角度来看，外国人无需申请实体社保卡。电子工作/居留许可可作为电子社保卡。外国人如有需要，可以申请实体社保卡。

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

问：持有非顶尖海外大学学位的外国人可以申请中国的工作许可吗？

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

答：可以，只要学位经中国大使馆/领事馆认证，并符合工作许可要求。

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

问：如果子公司将外国员工调至其母公司，是否需要新的工作签证？

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

答：需要申请新的工作签证，因为母公司拥有独立的营业执照。

Q: How to apply for temporary residence registration?

问：如何申请临时居留登记？

A: Report to the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. Some residences provide QR codes for online registration. You can also use online registrations via the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau’s official website (https://msjw.ga.sz.gov.cn/crj/crjmsjw/wsyy/ajax/bgywck/100000415293326  ) or the Shenzhen Foreigner Integrated Management Platform ( https://wgfw.ga.sz.gov.cn/user/wgrfwpt  ). If staying at a hotel, no registration is needed since hotels are connected to the police system.

答：抵达后24小时内向当地派出所报告。部分住所提供在线登记的二维码。您也可以通过深圳市公安局官网https://msjw.ga.sz.gov.cn/crj/crjmsjw/wsyy/ajax/bgywck/100000415293326或深圳外国人综合管理平台https://wgfw.ga.sz.gov.cn/user/wgrfwpt进行在线登记。如果住在酒店，则无需登记，因为酒店已连接到警察系统。

Q: What if a company’s registration information shows “abnormal?”

问：如果公司的注册信息显示“异常”怎么办？

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

答：如果公司信息（地址、联系人等）发生变化，或者年度税务证书未更新，就会出现这种情况。如果发生这种情况，需提交公司信息更新表，通常在2 - 3天内处理。