Foreigner's Work Permit in Guangzhou

Foreigners working in China shall obtain work permits and work-type residence permits in accordance with relevant regulations. 

Organizations or individuals shall not employ a foreigner without obtaining a work permit and a residence permit.

These foreigners are exempted from FWP application:
1. Personnel of foreign diplomatic or consular missions in China, UN representative offices in China and others with diplomatic privileges and immunities of other international organizations.
2. Foreigners with China's permanent residence (Chinese Green Card).
3.Foreign laborers with special skills to perform offshore petroleum operations without going ashore,  holding Foreigner's Work Permit to Perform Offshore Petroleum Operation in the People's Republic of China.
4. Foreigners performing for profitable purposes with Temporary Profitable Performance Permit approved and issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
5. Other circumstances as expressly provided for in laws and regulations.
From : Rules for The Administration of Employment of Foreigners in China

Only a few foreigners are exempt from FWP. How can ordinary foreign friends apply for two certificates?
The employers established in Guangzhou should apply and handle with FWP and its related issues for their foreign employees. The review and approval targets are employers who hire foreigners and their foreign employees.

Eligible Employers for Employing Foreigners
1. Being an organization established according to the laws, withno record of serious violation of law or discredit; should bespecial needs, short for Chinese candidates for the time being, and subject to relevant regulations in China; the payment andthe salary of the job should be over the local minimumincomes.
2. Duly pre-approved by the competent departments as confinedby the laws and regulations, if applicable.
3. Individual economic organizations and private citizens are pro-hibited from employing foreigners.

Eligible FWP Applicants
1. Being at least 18 years old and healthy, with no criminalrecord, employed by a certain employer in Mainland Chinaand obtaining the professional skills or certain level of knowl-edge necessary for the job.
2. Being a professional which is urgently needed in China andemployed for a job which is in line with the social and economic development in China.
3. Complying with the provisions of other laws and regulationson employment of foreigners in China, if any.

Besides the above-mentioned requirements, applicants shall also meet one of the following criteria:
1. High-end foreign talents (Category A)
High-end Foreign Talents (Category A) include scientists, leading S&T talents, international entrepreneurs, special talents and other foreign high- end talents urgently needed in the economic and social development of China who fall in line with the national priority list for foreign talents or fulfill the market demand for government-encouraged posts as well as those who meet the criteria for high-end foreign talents set in the points-based system (grade 85 points or more). Foreign high-end talents are free from restriction on quota not subject to age, education and work experience restrictions. For details, see the Categorization Criteria of Foreigners Working in China (Trial).
2. Foreign professional talents (Category B)
Foreign Professional Talents (Category B) include foreign professionals who meet the requirements of the Guiding Catalog and Positions for Foreigners Working in China, fulfill the urgent demands of the economic and social development of China, hold bachelor's degree or above, have relevant working experience for two years or more, and are aged below 60 or obtaining 60 points or more in the points- based system; for those who are in urgent need and meet the criteria for innovative and entrepreneurial talents, professional and skilled talents, excellent foreign graduates, meet the criteria for foreign professional talents set in the point-based system, or are introduced due to implementation of inter-government agreements or protocols, the restrictions on age, education or working experience can be relaxed. For details, see the Categorization Criteria of Foreigners Working in China (Trial). If there are national regulations on professionals and government project personnel, the said regulations shall apply.
3. Other foreigners (Category C)
Other Foreigners (Category C) refers to foreigners employed to meet the demand of the domestic labor market in line with the state policies and regulations. For details, see the Categorization Criteria of Foreigners Working in China (Trial).

Service System for Foreigners Working in China (https://fwp.safea.gov.cn/lhgzweb/) accepts on-line applications on a year-round basis at no cost.

03  Procedures

Guangzhou Service Center of Foreigner's Work Permit (Huangpu District and Nansha District are not included) 

Address: Counter 517-518, 5th Floor, No.61 Huali Rd, Zhujiang New  Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou Foreign-related Comprehensive Service Platform, Guangzhou 
Nansha  Government Affairs Service Center (only for Nansha District) 
Address: Counter 4-5, Comprehensive Service Platform for Foreign  Affairs, Guangzhou Nansha Government Affairs Service Center, 1st Floor, No.1 Fenghuang Avenue, Nansha District, Guangzhou Service 
Center of Science and Technology Bureau of Huangpu District  (only for Huangpu District) 
Address: Counter 401-402, Zone A, 4th Floor, Government Affairs  Service Center, No.3 Xiangxue 3rd Rd, Huangpu District, Guangzhou 

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00 (national statutory holidays excluded)  
Hotline: 020-12345

Source:  The People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality