Guide to Transferring, Changing, Extension Work Permit for Foreigners in China

For foreigners working in China, the work permit is a crucial document that must be attained prior to commencing work. The work permit is tied to your employer, which means that when changing jobs, the work permit must also be transferred to the new employer.

I. If the foreigner changes a new employer but still the same occupation and his/her residence permit is valid, he/she can stay in China during the application process and will not need to apply for a new Visa Z.

Transfer your work permit in two steps

Step 1: Cancel the current work permit

A former employer should apply for cancellation of a work permit within 10 working days from when an employment relationship ceases.

Documents R equired:

1. Application Form for Cancellation of the Foreigner’s Work Permit: Fill in the online application - print it out - send to the applicant for signing – stamp it with the employer’s seal - upload it to the system.
2. Credentials for the dissolution of employment and termination of contract or other causes related to cancellation: In the event of dissolution of employment and termination of contract, the signatures of both the employer and the applicant are required; if the applicant resigns arbitrarily and the employer cannot contact with the applicant, the employer shall submit a description of cancellation.

Step 2 : Apply for a new work permit

Foreigners require to apply for new work permit within 30 days after the cancellation of the previous work permit.

Documents Required:

1. Application Form for C hange of the Foreigner’s Work Permit
2. Employment contract
3. V alid Resident Permit and Passport
4. C ertificate of cancellation

Foreigners cannot provide these document s , such as A cademic c ertificate , Certificate of no criminal record , Certificate of physical examination , etc.

II. If the foreigner changes a new employer and new occupation or his/her residence permit is expired, he/she shall re-apply the Work Permit for Foreigners .

III. Extension of the Work Permit for Foreigners

If the employer continues to employ the applicant at the same position (occupation), it shall submit the application to the decision-making authority 30 days or more before the expiration date of the applicant’s work permit.

Documents Required:

1. Application Form for Extension of Foreigner’s Work Permit
2. Employment contract
3. valid Resident Permit and Passport
4. Work Permit for Foreigners

IV. Change of the Work Permit for Foreigners

In the event of change in the applicant’s personal information (such as name, passport number, title, and category) or other information, an application shall be submitted within ten working days from the date of the confirmation of change.

1. Application Form for Change of Foreigner’s Work Permit
2. A letter of change application (specifying the reason of change, the new title, etc., and stamped by the employer) and relevant credentials;