Foreigners who enter China with a home visiting visa may, under certain conditions, be transferred to a work visa.
If it is a family visit visa for direct relatives and employed by a company, they can directly apply for a work type residence permit, but they need to provide proof of family relationship.
If you are not a direct relative or cannot provide proof of family relationship for a family visit visa, you cannot directly apply for a work permit. You need to first apply for a work permit notification, then transfer to a Z visa within China, apply for a work permit, and finally apply for a residence permit.
Specific requirements may vary by region, and it is recommended to consult the Foreign Experts Bureau or relevant departments in the location of the work company for detailed policies. At the same time, applying for a work visa usually requires other conditions, such as obtaining a work contract, an employer’s guarantee, and providing relevant application materials, including foreigners’ work permit application forms, passports or international travel documents, six month front bareheaded photos, work experience certificates, employment contracts or employment certificates (including letters of assignment from multinational companies), certified or notarized certificates of the highest degree (education) or industry approval documents, professional qualification certificates, certificates of no criminal record, medical examination certificates, etc. (which may vary depending on personal circumstances and regional requirements).
In addition, according to the regulations, under the following circumstances, foreigners can directly apply for work permits in China, and all application materials shall be submitted according to the Notice of Foreigner Work Permit and Foreigner Work Permit:
1. Foreign high-end talents who have entered the country with other visas or valid residence permits (Class A);
2. Foreigners working in China change employers, but their job position (occupation) remains unchanged, and their work type residence permit is within the validity period;
3. A foreign spouse or child of a Chinese citizen, or a spouse or child of a foreigner permanently residing or working in China, who holds a valid visa or residence permit within the validity period;
4. Comply with relevant preferential policies of free trade zones and comprehensive innovation and reform pilot zones;
5. The employer is eligible for preferential policies related to the headquarters of multinational corporations in China;
6. Personnel turnover within the enterprise group;
7. Implementing intergovernmental agreements or protocols;
8. Representative personnel of Chinese institutions who have lawfully entered China with work visas; Foreigners who have obtained a work permit to work in China for less than 90 days and are legally employed by domestic employers within the validity period of their stay in China;
Within the past 5 years, those who have worked legally in China for more than 1 year and have a good credit rating (including 1 year);
10. Other approval agencies determine that the conditions are met.
Before handling the relevant procedures, it is recommended to have a detailed understanding of the specific policies and requirements in the local area.
