China Work Permits: Are You an A, B, or C Tier Talent?

China’s new work permit system for foreigners was rolled out nationwide on April 1 this year. Under the new framework, the previous Alien Employment Permit and the Foreign Expert Permit have been combined into a single work permit, issued to any foreigner eligible to take up work in China.

The changes to the system result in a more streamlined process, doing away with inconsistent regional administration, and allows for employers to submit applications online. Furthermore, the change has removed any confusion foreigners may have had as to which permit to apply for.

The new system has also introduced a three-tier talent grading system for expatriates, the benefits of which are less clear. While A-grade expats enjoy some additional advantages, those falling in Tier B and Tier C may face tougher entry requirements, lower permit validity, and longer waiting times than before.

This article clarifies who is placed where under the new system, and the implications of the classifications. Expats are placed in either Tier A, B, or C by earning the associated amount of points under the point scoring system, or by fulfilling a condition that automatically places them in a given tier.

Point scoring system introduced

The new work permit system introduces a point scoring system to judge candidates’ qualifications. Applicants scoring 85 or more points qualify for Tier A; those scoring 60-85 class as Tier B; and those scoring below 60 fall under Tier C.

How to qualify for each tier

In addition to the point scoring system, applicants can be placed in a given tier if they meet certain specific conditions.

Tier A

Applicants fall under Tier A if they meet any of the following conditions:

· Score at least 85 points;

· Are employed through one of China’s regional plans for the introduction of foreign talent;

· Adhere to internationally recognized standards for their field:

1.Awarded for excellence in their field

2.Assumed leadership at a well-known academic institution or international organization e.g. the ISO

3.Contributed as chief editor or other senior position in a high ranking national journal for science and technology e.g. the JCR

4.Occupied a middle-upper management, professorship, or assistant-professorship position at a world renowned academic institution

5.Worked in a senior management position or high ranking technical role at a Fortune 500 company

6.Worked in a senior management position at one of the world’s leading banking or financial institutions

7.Prize holders of prominent awards in the arts e.g. Pulitzer prize

8.Has held a senior position in government, in an NGO, or in a renowned international organization, e.g. ASEAN, the World Bank etc.

· Are applying for a position in China adhering to one of the criteria listed above, or those to be employed in:

1.A senior management or technical position in large scale industry

2.A research or engineering center in China

3.A high level position at a foreign enterprise in a middle-sized industry, as recognized by the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries, an encouraged Chinese industry, or an industry in the Catalogue for Advantaged Foreign Investment in Western and Central regions

Chairman, legal representative, or chief management/technical heads of foreign investment enterprises in small-sized industries

Those to be employed in a senior position at a top tier hospital, province level hospital or foreign funded hospital

· Earning over six times the average local salary;

· Are considered entrepreneurial and new industry talent by:

1.Offering a new product or service requiring a patent, three years of stable investment, real investment not below US$500,000, as well as a 2.30 percent stake or above in the enterprise

Earning three years of annual revenue not below RMB 10 million, or

3.Planning to work in a senior management position or as a technical expert in innovative industries that align with the requirements of regional administrative departments

· Are under 40 years of age doing post-doctoral research, and have graduated from a high ranking university or academic institution.

Tier B

Applicants fall under Tier B if they meet any of the following conditions:

· Score 60-84 points;

· Have a bachelor’s degree or above, two years of work experience in a relevant field, and are employed in one of the following positions:

1.A management, technical, educational, or research position possessing skills particular to: education, science and technology, news, publishing, culture, the arts, hygiene, sports, etc.

2.Any position in Sino-foreign collaborative efforts between: governments and international organizations, or in: trade, engineering, technology, etc. allowing for relaxed age restrictions for dispatched personnel of renowned educational or international organizations

3.Employees at representative offices in China for an international organization or a specialist organization

4.Employees dispatched by international companies, chief representatives, and representatives for foreign industries with representative offices in China

5.Managers or technical staff for areas within industry, institutions, or social organizations

· Hold an internationally recognized certification for a skill, or possessing a skill, that is urgently needed in the Chinese labor market;

· Teach a foreign language (their mother tongue) and hold a bachelor’s degree or above and two years of experience in teaching; two years of experience is not required for those with a bachelor’s degree or above in education or in the language that they are teaching, or another form of internationally recognized teaching certification; or

· Persons earning over four times the average local salary.

Tier C

Applicants fall under Tier C if they meet any of the following conditions:

· Score under 60 points;

· Hold a work permit under the old system, but do not qualify for the A- or B-tier under the new system;