Guangzhou’s New Measures for Handling Foreigner’s Work Permit: What Are the Updates?
Guangzhou has announced new measures for handling foreigner’s work permit applications. We go over the major changes and streamlined requirements in this article.
On March 15, 2022, the Guangzhou Science and Technology Bureau printed and announced Several Measures on Further Streamlining the Handling of Permits for Foreigners Seeking to Work in China (hereinafter referred to as the “New Measures”), in a move to simplify and standardize the handling of foreigner’s work permits in Guangzhou and thus improve Guangzhou’s business environment and attract more talents to work in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Compared to the currently effective Guidelines for Applying for Work Permits for Foreigners in Guangzhou (2020), the New Measures proposed several new policies that aim to make it easier for foreigners to apply for a work permit in Guangzhou.
What are the changes?
Below, we outline the major updates in the table and make a comparison of the old and new provisions. This will help relevant stakeholders, including expatriates who plan to work in Guangzhou and companies that plan to hire foreign talents, to better understand the key changes and updated requirements.
Applying for a Foreigner’s Work Permit in Guangzhou: What Are the Changes? |
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Changes | Before | After |
The work permit application process can be carried out online |
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Mutual recognition with other GBA cities of foreigners’ qualifications for applying for the work permit |
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Foreigners in mainland China can apply for work permits without leaving China |
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Restrictions on the age and working experience of foreign scientific and technological talents will be relaxed |
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Foreign scientific and technological talents working in Guangzhou are allowed to work part-time |
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Further expand the scope of application of the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-End Talents |
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Relaxation of age restrictions for foreign highly skilled talents |
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How to understand the changes?
The above-mentioned new measures will make it more convenient for some foreign talents to apply and retain the foreigner’s work permit in Guangzhou.
Nevertheless, this does not mean the whole process is plain enough for foreigners to manage by themselves.
Each policy has a specific scope and qualification requirements on the applicants, which could be confusing for both expatriates and their Chinese employers.
We thus advise relevant parties to seek professional assistance and evaluate the applicant’s qualifications carefully when helping foreigners apply for a work permit in Guangzhou.
As a professional business services provider, Dezan Shira & Associates can provide you the necessary support in assessing your eligibility and feasibility, as well as processing your application for a Chinese work permit card. Please contact us without hesitation or email us at China@dezshira.com.
About Us
China Briefing is written and produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The practice assists foreign investors into China and has done so since 1992 through offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. Please contact the firm for assistance in China at china@dezshira.com.
Dezan Shira & Associates has offices in Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, United States, Germany, Italy, India, and Russia, in addition to our trade research facilities along the Belt & Road Initiative. We also have partner firms assisting foreign investors in The Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh.
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