Policy Q&A on Foreign University Graduates Working in Nanjing (Staying in Nanjing)

Fresh foreign university graduates can directly come to (or stay in) Nanjing to work and apply for a Category C Foreigner's Work Permit in accordance with Nanjing's relevant policies.

Q: Who qualifies as a foreign university graduate?

A: According to Nanjing's policies, foreign university graduates are divided into two categories: international students and foreign graduates from overseas universities. The specific classifications are as follows:

(I) International Students must meet one of the following conditions:
1. Hold a master's degree or higher from a Chinese university, graduated within the past year, and intend to work or start a business in Nanjing.
2. Hold a bachelor's degree from a university in Nanjing, graduated within the past year, and intend to work or start a business in provincial-level development zones (or parks) such as Nanjing Jiangbei New District.
3. Hold a bachelor's degree from a university in Nanjing, graduated within the past year, and intend to work or start a business in industries encouraged by Nanjing's foreign investment catalog for emerging industries.

(II) Foreign Graduates from Overseas Universities must meet one of the following conditions:
1. Hold a master's degree or higher from a high-level overseas university, graduated within the past year, and intend to work or start a business in Nanjing.
2. Hold a bachelor's degree from a high-level overseas university, graduated within the past year, and intend to work or start a business in provincial-level development zones (or parks) such as Nanjing Jiangbei New District.
3. Hold a bachelor's degree from a high-level overseas university, graduated within the past year, and intend to work or start a business in industries encouraged by Nanjing's foreign investment catalog for emerging industries.
Note: High-level overseas universities are determined based on the list published in the Service system for foreigners working in China  by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.

Q: What conditions must foreign university graduates meet to apply for a Category C Foreigner's Work Permit?

A: Applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

1.Be at least 18 years old, in good health, and have no criminal record.
2.Hold a valid passport.
3.Have an average academic score of at least 80/100 (or equivalent to B+/B or above in a grading system) during their studies, with no record of misconduct (this requirement is waived for foreign graduates from overseas universities).
4.Be offered an annual salary by the employer that is not lower than the average annual wage of urban non-private sector employees in the previous year, as published by the municipal statistics bureau.
5.Possess the appropriate degree and professional skills for the job, with the position aligned with their field of study.
6.Meet other conditions stipulated by laws and regulations.

Q: What materials are required for foreign university graduates to apply for a Category C Foreigner's Work Permit?
A: Applications must be submitted through the employer, and the following materials are required:
1.Application Form For Foreigner's Work Permit (filled out and printed online).
2.Chinese resume.
3.Front-facing, bareheaded photo taken within the last 6 months.
4.Health examination record verification certificate issued by a Chinese quarantine institution or a health certificate issued within the last 6 months. In Nanjing, health examinations can be conducted at the Jiangsu International Travel Healthcare Center (Address: 39 Chuangzhi Road, Jianye District, Nanjing).
5.Highest degree (diploma) certificate. If obtained abroad, it must be authenticated by the Chinese embassy/consulate in the applicant's country or by the applicant's country's embassy/consulate in China, or by a Chinese academic certification agency. If obtained in Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan, it must be authenticated by a Chinese academic certification agency or notarized by a local notary office. If obtained in mainland China, only the original degree certificate is required.
6.“No criminal” record certificate issued by the police, security, or court departments of the applicant's home country or place of long-term residence, authenticated by the Chinese embassy/consulate or the applicant's country's embassy/consulate in China. The certificate must be issued within 6 months before the applicant's most recent entry into China.
7.Proof of no misconduct and academic transcripts for international students graduating from Chinese universities, issued by the university with an official seal, signed by the responsible person, and including contact information.
8.Employment contract.
9.Passport information page, study-type residence permit, or valid visa.
10.Salary commitment letter (template available on the Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology's official website under the Foreigner's Work Permit section).
11.Other supporting materials as required by the issuing authority.

Q: Which employers can hire foreign university graduates?
A: Employers must be legally established in Nanjing with no record of serious legal violations or dishonesty. The position offered to the foreigner must be one with special needs, for which no suitable domestic candidate is available, and must comply with national regulations. The salary offered must not be lower than the local minimum wage. If the position requires pre-approval by industry authorities, such approval must be obtained.

Q: What procedures must employers follow to legally hire foreign university graduates?
A: Employers must first register an account on the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security's National Human Resources and Social Security Service Platform and its subsystem, the Foreigner's Work Permit Management Service System, to complete real-name registration.
1.Apply online for Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit in China  for the foreign university graduate.
2.The graduate uses Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit in China  and other required materials to apply for a work visa at the Chinese embassy/consulate in their country.
3.After entering China with the work visa, the graduate scans the QR code on Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit in China to register and obtain an electronic social security card with work permit information.
4.Within 30 days of entering China, the graduate must apply for a work-type residence permit at the Nanjing Municipal Public Security Bureau's Exit-Entry Administration.

Q: What is the process for employers to register an account?
1.Employers log in to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security's National Human Resources and Social Security Service Platform (https://www.12333.gov.cn/), select "Legal Entity User," and submit the required information and materials as prompted.
2.After platform approval, select "Employer Services" - "Human Resources" - "Foreigner's Work Permit," enter the Service system for foreigners working in China, and select "Complete User Information" to submit the required information and materials as prompted.
3.After system approval, bring the original and copies of the required materials to the service window for real-name registration. Service Window Address: Windows A314 and A315, Nanjing Municipal Government Service Center, 265 Jiangdong Middle Road, Jianye District, Nanjing. Consultation Phone: 025-68505314, 68505315.