Expatriate family members obtaining a work visa need to meet certain conditions and follow the prescribed procedures, as detailed below:
1. Meet basic requirements:
– Age requirement: Must be 18 years old or above.
– Health condition: In good health, must provide relevant medical examination certificates proving that their physical condition meets the requirements for working in China. The medical examination usually needs to be conducted in designated medical institutions, and the validity period of the medical report is generally 6 months.
– No criminal record: Provide a no-criminal record certificate issued by the country of nationality and authenticated by relevant institutions. The validity period of this certificate also has certain requirements, usually within 6 months.
– Professional skills and work experience: Possess the professional skills and corresponding work experience necessary for the job position they are applying for. For example, if applying for an engineer position, one needs to have a relevant engineering academic background and a certain amount of work practice experience.
– Passport and valid residence documents: Hold a valid passport or other international travel documents that can replace a passport, and legally reside in China with valid residence documents, such as family reunion residence permits, etc.
2. Find an employing unit:
– Expatriate family members need to obtain a job invitation from an entity within China that has the qualifications to hire foreign employees. The entity should meet the requirements of Chinese laws and regulations for employers, such as being legally registered, having a good operating condition, and reputation, etc.
– The employing unit signs a formal labor contract or a letter of appointment with the expatriate family member, which should specify the job position, job content, job duration, labor remuneration, working conditions, and other matters.
3. Prepare application materials:
– Personal materials: Original and photocopy of the expatriate family member’s passport, frontal bareheaded photos taken within 6 months, the highest degree (academic qualification) certificate and authentication documents (which need to be notarized or authenticated by relevant Chinese institutions), work experience certificates (work certificates or recommendation letters from previous employers, etc.), no-criminal record certificates and authentication documents, medical examination certificates, etc.
– Employer materials: Photocopy of the employer’s business license, photocopy of the legal person’s ID card, photocopy of the handler’s ID card, the employer’s foreign-related enterprise filing certificate, foreign affairs liaison officer filing certificate, etc., as well as the employer’s application letter for the expatriate family member’s work visa, employment contract or letter of appointment, and other related documents.
4. Apply for a work permit:
– Online application: The employer logs into the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs of China’s management service system for foreigner’s work in China, fills in and submits the work permit application information and scanned copies of related materials for the expatriate family member online.
– Pre-review and acceptance: Relevant departments pre-review the application materials, and if necessary, will ask the employer or the expatriate family member to supplement or correct the materials. After passing the pre-review, the employer submits the paper application materials to the local science and technology bureau or foreign expert bureau and other relevant departments for acceptance.
– Review and approval: Relevant departments review the application materials, including the examination of the expatriate family member’s personal qualifications, work experience, education, etc., and the review of the employer’s qualifications and recruitment needs. After passing the review, the “Notice of Foreigner’s Work Permit” is issued.
5. Handle the work-type residence permit:
– Application: The expatriate family member applies for a work-type residence permit at the local entry and exit administration department with the “Notice of Foreigner’s Work Permit”, passport, and other materials.
– Interview and approval: The expatriate family member may need to go to the entry and exit administration department in person for an interview, submit relevant materials, and answer the staff’s inquiries. The entry and exit administration department reviews the application, and after approval, issues the work-type residence permit.
It should be noted that the specific procedures and requirements may vary by region, so it is recommended to consult and understand from the local relevant departments in advance.
