FAQs Pertaining to Application for Foreigner's Work Permit

Q: Which department is responsible for administration and implementation of the foreigner’s work permit scheme in Nanjing?

A: For Nanjing municipal units, applications should be submitted to the Nanjing Municipal Science and Technology Bureau. (Service Window No. 235/236, F1, Nanjing Municipal Government Affairs Service Center, 265 Jiangdong Middle Road, Telephone: +86 25-68505235/68505236)
Employers registering in Jiangning District (including Jiangning Development Zone) should submit applications to the Science and Technology Bureau of Jiangning District. (Address: Window 5, F1, Building 4, Science and Technology Innovation Center, No. 18 Zhilan Road, Chunhua Subdistrict, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu; Tel: 87180602)
Employers registering in Jiangbei New Area (including the Jiangsu Pilot Free Trade Zone in Nanjing) should submit applications to the Science and Technology Bureau of Jiangbei New Area. (Address: Window B17/B22, International Talent Service Center, Public Security Hall, F3, Jiangbei New Area Citizen Center, No. 292 Binjiang Avenue, Jiangbei New Area, Nanjing, Jiangsu; Tel: 83146818)

Q: What application procedures should be performed by foreigners in order to work legally in Nanjing?

A: In order to work legally in Nanjing, a foreigner should go through the following procedures:
(1)Apply for a job and sign an employment contract.
(2)Apply for the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit with assistance of the employer.
(3)Present the notification letter and other relevant documents to the embassy or consulate office of the People’s Republic of China, when applying for a work visa.
(4)Assisted by the employer, apply for a Foreigner’s Work Permit within 15 days of entry into the People’s Republic of China holding a work visa.
(5)Apply for a work-type residence permit, within 30 days of entry into the People’s Republic of China holding a work visa. (at the Exit-Entry Administration of Nanjing Public Security Bureau. Address: 173 Baixia Road, Qinhuai District, Nanjing; Telephone: +86 25-84420005/84420004)

Q: What procedures should Nanjing municipal units go through in order to lawfully employ foreigners?

A: To employ a foreigner lawfully, a Nanjing municipal unit should go through the following procedures:
(1)Log into the Service System for Foreigners Working in China (
http://fwp.safea.gov.cn/) to register an account. Upon submitting registration information, the employer should bring the original and copies of required materials to Nanjing Municipal Science and Technology Bureau for real-name registration at the earliest convenience.
(2)Apply for a Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit on behalf of the foreigner.
(3)When the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit is issued, the employer should assist the foreigner to apply for a work visa at the embassy or consulate office of People’s Republic of China.
(4)Apply for a Foreigner’s Work Permit for the foreigner, within 15 days of entry into the People’s Republic of China holding a work visa.
(5)Apply for a work-type residence permit for the foreigner, within 30 days of entry into the People’s Republic of China holding a work visa. (Address of the Exit-Entry Administration of Nanjing Public Security Bureau: 173 Baixia Road, Qinhuai District, Nanjing; Tel: 025-84420005/84420004)

Q: What materials should the employer submit to get a Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit for the foreigner to be hired?

A: (1)Application Form of Foreigner’s Work Permit (original). This form should be printed online via the application system, and should be signed by the applicant and stamped by the employer.

(2)Job certifications (originals and copies).
The former employer of the applicant should provide certification about the applicant’s work experience pertaining to current employment, including the job position, working period, and previous projects done by the applicant. The certification should be stamped by the former employer or signed by the person in charge, with contact of the reference person (or contact person) enclosed.
For high-end foreign talents (Class A) who meet the following criteria in the Classification Criteria of Foreigners Working in China, job qualifications are provided through a commitment system:
 a. Be selected into the relevant domestic talents scheme
 b. Conform to the internationally recognized standards of professional achievements.

(3)Applicant's certificate of the highest degree (diploma) or relevant approval documents, and professional qualifications (original and copy).
For the certificate of the highest degree (diploma) obtained abroad, it should be certified by one of the following authorities:
•Chinese embassy or consulate office.
•Embassy or consulate office of the foreign country where the applicant obtained the degree certificate or diploma in China.
•Chinese diploma authentication authority.
For the certificate of the highest degree (diploma) obtained in the Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, or Taiwan region, it should be certified by the Chinese diploma authentication authority or local notary agency.
For the certificate of the highest degree (diploma) obtained in mainland China, only the original certificate is required.
Where pre-approval of the competent authority of industry or professional qualification of the corresponding entry permit is required by Chinese laws and regulations, the approval document of the competent authority of industry or the professional qualification should be provided. (For example, representative offices of foreign enterprises in Nanjing, chief representative and other representatives  of overseas non-governmental organizations, presidents of foreign banks, foreign doctors, and foreign pilots, etc.)
For high-end foreign talents (Class A) who meet the following criteria in the Classification Criteria of Foreigners Working in China, the certificate of the highest degree (diploma) is provided through a commitment system:
1)Be selected into the relevant domestic talents scheme.
2)Conform to the internationally recognized standards of professional achievements.
3)Meet the demands of market-oriented encouraged jobs.
4)Innovative and entrepreneurial talents.

(4)Certificate of No Criminal Record of the Applicant (original and copy).
The Certificate of No Criminal Record of the Applicant should be provided by the police, national security agency, court, or other departments in the applicant’s state of nationality or habitual residence, and should be certified by Chinese embassy or consulate abroad or foreign embassy or consulate in China. The habitual residence refers to the country or region where the application has stayed for more than one year after leaving the state of nationality, excluding mainland China. The Certificate of No Criminal Record should be issued within 6 months prior to the application acceptance date.
Certificate of No Criminal Record issued in the Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, or Taiwan region should be notarized by the local notary agency.
Non-sworn Certificate of No Criminal Record issued by diplomatic organizations (including foreign embassies or consulates in China) is acceptable henceforth no longer needs to be certified.
Sworn Certificate of No Criminal Record by the applicant is unacceptable.
For foreign high-end talents (Class A), the Certificate of No Criminal Record is provided through a commitment system.

(5)Health Certificate (original and copy).
The following health certificates should be provided:
・Certificate of Verification on Physical Examination Record for Foreigners or Physical Fitness Certificate issued by China Inspection and Quarantine Office (CIQ).
・Physical Checkup Certificate issued by overseas medical institutions recognized by CIQ.
All of these health certificates should be issued within 6 months prior to the application acceptance date.
The lawful foreigner’s health checkup institution in Nanjing is the Jiangsu International Travel Health Care Center. (Address: 39 Chuangzhi Road; Telephone:
+86 25-52345700/52345711/52345707).
Prior to entry into the People's Republic of China, a commitment system is utilized for health certificates. After entry into the country, however, the applicant should submit a Certificate of Verification on Physical Examination Record for Foreigners or Physical Fitness Certificate issued by CIQ when applying for a Foreigner’s Work Permit.
(6)Employment contract or employment certification, including the dispatch letter from a multinational company (original and copy).
A contract written in the Chinese language is mandatory. It should be signed by the applicant and stamped with the official stamp of the company, and should not be altered. The employment contract or employment certification (including the dispatch letter from a multinational company) should cover necessary information such as the workplace, work content, salary, work period in China, position, and stamp page (signature).
The employment certification applies to personnel who carry out agreements or treaties between governments or international organizations, chief representative and other representatives of all kinds of representative offices in China, and overseas contract service providers. Should the employment certification (including the dispatch letter) lacks necessary information, a supplementary description of the certification is required.
The dispatch letter applies to professional technicians and senior executives such as managers who are dispatched by the headquarters or regional headquarters of a multinational company from overseas to domestic subsidiaries or branch offices. The dispatch letter should be provided by the headquarters or regional headquarters of the multinational company.
For professional technicians and senior executives such as managers dispatched by the regional headquarters of a multinational company in China to domestic subsidiaries or branch offices, the dispatch letter and employment contract signed with the regional headquarters of the multinational company should be submitted.

(7)Applicant’s passport or international travel documents (original and copy).
The passport should be valid for at least 6 months.

(8)If accompanied by family members, the applicant should also provide the following supporting materials for the family members (original and copy):
・Passport information pages of the accompanying family members.
・Proof of family relationship (spouse - marriage certificate; child - birth certificate or adoption certificate; parent or spouse’s parent - birth certificate,marriage certificate, or notarized certificate of the applicant).
・Physical checkup report (for family members over 18) and digital photos. Note: For all of the above non-Chinese materials (except passports or international travel documents), Chinese translations with the official seal of the translation company are mandatory. Both the original paper material and its Chinese translation should be uploaded to the processing system. In case of change of nationality, the foreigner should reapply for a work permit in China.

Q: The employer has applied for a Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit for the foreigner to be hired. In this case, what materials should be submitted to get a Foreigner’s Work Permit?

A: (1) Application Form of Foreigner’s Work Permit (original). This form should be printed online via the application system, and should be signed by the applicant and stamped by the employer.
(2)Copy of the Foreigner’s Work Permit.
(3)Original of applicant’s passport, and copies of its information page and work visa page.
(4)Employment contract (original and copy).
(5)Health certificate (original and copy).
The applicant should provide a Certificate of Verification on Physical Examination Record for Foreigners or Physical Fitness Certificate issued by CIQ, which should be issued within 6 months prior to the application acceptance date.
(6)Applicant's certificate of the highest degree (diploma) or the relevant approval documents, professional qualifications, and embassy or consulate certification (original).
(7)Certificate of No Criminal Record and embassy or consulate certification (original).

Q: What materials should the employer submit to extend the validity period of a Foreigner’s Work Permit for the foreigner to be hired?

A: (1) Application Form for Extension of Foreigner’s Work Permit (original). This form should be printed online via the application system, and should be signed by the applicant and stamped by the employer.
(2)Original of applicant’s passport, and copies of its information page, visa page, last entry stamp page, or valid residence permit page.
(3)Employment contract (original and copy).
(4)Original of the Foreigner’s Work Permit, including the Foreign Expert Certificate or Alien Employment Permit within the current validity period.
Note: To extend the current validity period of the Foreign Expert Certificate or Alien Employment Permit, the applicant’s certificate of the highest degree and its Chinese translation (with the official seal of the employer) are required.

Q: In case that a foreigner lost his/her work permit, what materials should the employer submit for renewal of Foreigner’s Work Permit?

A: (1) Application Form for Renewal of Foreigner’s Work Permit (original). This form should be printed online via the application system, and should be signed by the applicant and stamped by the employer.
(2)Description of the applicant's loss or damage (original).
Note: In the case of a lost work permit, the applicant should make a declaration on the Service System for Foreigners Working in China as of the date of loss or discovery of loss, and apply to Nanjing Foreign Experts Bureau for renewal. In the case of a damaged work permit, the original work permit is required when the renewal application is submitted.

Q: If the content of the Foreigner’s Work Permit changes, what materials should the employer submit for the change business of work permit?

A: (1) Application Form for Change of Foreigner’s Work Permit (original) . This form should be printed online via the application system, and should be signed by the applicant and stamped by the employer.
(2)Supporting documents for items to be changed (original).
Note: Where there are changes in applicant's personal information (such as name, passport number, job position, category), the applicant should submit an application to Nanjing Foreign Experts Bureau within 10 workdays from the date of change.

Q: If the employment relationship between the foreigner and employer is canceled, what materials should the employer submit to cancel the Foreigner’s Work Permit?
A: (1)Application Form for Cancellation of Foreigner’s Work Permit (original). This form should be printed online via the application system, and should be signed by the applicant and stamped by the employer.
(2)Supporting materials for the cancellation of employment relationship, termination of contract, or other reasons related to the cancellation (original). In terms of cancellation of employment relationship and termination of the contract, signatures of both parties are required.
Note: If a Foreigner’s Work Permit fails to be extended at the expiry of its validity period, it should be canceled automatically. The revocation, withdrawal, and suspension of work permit in accordance with law should be performed by the Nanjing Municipal Science and Technology Bureau. Where a foreign applicant dies, loses his or her capacity for action, terminates the contract in advance, or cancels the employment relationship, the employer should apply to the Nanjing Municipal Science and Technology Bureau for cancellation within 10 workdays from the date of occurrence of such facts. If an employer is terminated, the applicant may apply to the Nanjing Municipal Science and Technology Bureau for cancellation of work permit.

Investment and Entrepreneurship

Innovative Entrepreneur Cultivation Program
Up to 30 million RMB loan interest subsidy for five years;
500,000 RMB funding for the progression to the key talent project of the Ministry of Science and Technology;
Two-year exemption from R&D rent for those who are admitted to industrial parks, accelerators and incubators established and recognized by the government. The rent for the space is waived;
Inbound and outbound training, industry matching, purchase of scientific and technological achievements and services from universities and institutes, and issuance of science and technology innovation vouchers for subsidies. Subsidies for the purchase of scientific and technological achievements and services from universities and institutes, and the issuance of science and technology innovation coupons. The maximum annual subsidy for attracting talents as a core team member is 100,000 RMB. Nanjing Talent Settlement Policy for Class C talents is applicable.

Science and Technology Top Expert Gathering Program
If the team of experts from local enterprises and new research institutions is shortlisted for the "Top Talent Top Support Program" in Jiangsu Province, the team will be subsidized the same as provincial award, and the subsidy is no more than 100 million yuan. Among them includes:

Class A (bring-in)

5-10 million yuan of matching funds for industrialization of scientific research achievements; up to 100 million yuan of follow-up investment for excellent projects with venture capital. The right to nominate young and middle-aged top-notch talents for training; Nanjing's talent policy. Talent policy for the corresponding category of talents.

Class B (cultivation)

5 million RMB project funding; Nanjing talent housing B category talent policy.

High-level Entrepreneurial Talent Introduction Program
-Up to 1.5 million yuan of financial support;
-100㎡ of business premises, free of rent or rent subsidy for three years;
-Up to 500 of business premises with free rent or rent subsidy for three years for projects with excellent evaluation;
-Full reward for the contribution to the city's economic development within three years from the year of profit;
-Up to 3 million yuan of follow-up investment for social venture capital;
-Nanjing talent housing policy for the corresponding category of talent.

Social insurance

Human resources and social security consultation telephone in Nanjing: 025-12333

Website of Nanjing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau: http: // rsj. nanjing. gov. cn/

You can find more information on the website below.



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