Notice on the Pilot Project of Facilitating Work of Foreigners in China

Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau（Guangzhou Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs）Notice on the Pilot Project of Facilitating Work of Foreigners in China

All Relevant Units:

According to the Notice of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province on Printing and Distributing the Implementation Plan of Guangdong Province's Pilot Program for Facilitating Foreigners Work in China (YUEKEZHUANZI[2024] No. 219) requires that a pilot project to facilitate foreigners' work in China be launched. The relevant matters are notified as follows:

1. Allow Foreigner's Work Permit to be changed between relevant units within Guangdong Province

Foreigners who move to relevant units within the same system in Guangdong Province can be exempted from re-applying for Foreigner's Work Permit after being approved from the outgoing and incoming units, and filed by the outgoing and incoming units respectively. The extension and cancellation of work permits still need to be handled at the place where the original work permit was approved. In case of extension, the relevant information statement stamped by the current unit should be provided. Foreign talents involved in salary commitments should submit relevant proof materials according to their original promised salary when extending and canceling the work permits. If the Foreigner's Work Permit in The People's Republic of China is within the period of validity, there is no need to change it.

This measure implements a list management system. The flow of personnel from units not included in the list shall be handled in accordance with the original procedures for Foreigner's Work Permit in China, that is, after the Foreigner's Work Permit is cancelled by the outgoing unit, the Foreigner's Work Permit will be re-handled by the incoming unit. For details, please consult the service window for foreigners in Guangzhou, Huangpu district and Nansha district. For details, please consult the Guangzhou, Huangpu and Nansha District Foreigners' Work Service Window.

2. Provide convenience for foreigners who come to China for venture investment to apply for work permits

Foreigners who have invested (paid in) RMB 4 million or hold more a 30% or more stake in Guangzhou, have completed the registration of business entities, and participate in daily operations, can apply for Foreigner's Work Permit (Class B) in accordance with regulations after confirmation by the district market management department. To extend a Foreigner's Work Permit, relevant supporting documents such as the certificate of timely paid in capital, financial vouchers, business situation, tax payment certificate, and proof of social security payment by Chinese and foreign employees must be submitted.

3. Provide convenience for foreign college graduates to work and start businesses in Guangdong

Foreign graduates who have obtained a master's degree or above in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from a world-class university (see QR code) or a domestic double first-class university (147 universities) can be exempted from the work experience requirement if they have a confirmed employer within one year from the date of graduation. The employer can apply for a Foreigner's Work Permit, (Class B) with a validity period of no more than one year for them, and they can apply for an extension according to regulations after the expiration. For those engaged in entrepreneurial activities, entrepreneurial parks, incubators and other innovative and entrepreneurial incubation institutions can apply for a Foreigner's Work Permit, (Class B) with a validity period of no more than one year for them, and they can apply for an extension again after the expiration, with the extension period not exceeding one year.

world-class university list

4. Continue to implement the recognition standards for foreign “High level, Skilled, Cutting-edge, and Scarce” talents

The pilot program will continue to be implemented in accordance with the current Guangzhou City Foreign Talent Identification Standards. (See QR code below)

The above pilot content will be implemented from the date of issuance until December 31, 2025.

Consultation Hotline:

Guangzhou Municipal Government Service Hotline: 12345

Foreigners' Work Service Window in Guangzhou: 020-38920054

Foreigners' Work Service Window in Huangpu District: 020-82110023

       Foreigners' Work Service Window in Nansha District: 020-39053769