As of Nov 1st 2016 China has bought in a points system for China work visa requirements. How does this affect foreigners working in China, or planning on doing so? Keep reading as we explain…
Which Grade Of Foreigner Are YOU?
Starting November 1st 2016, foreigners applying for a China work visa will be graded A, B, or C depending on the number of points they accrue.
Grade A grouping is for the most talented workers, grade B for professionals, and C being the unskilled workers. The grading system uses points allocated according to the age, location, salary, education and experience in China of the applicant.
A Non-criminal record certificate is now also required for any foreign employee working in China. This will take time with the waiting period, and requires applicants to prepare for the process earlier to ensure compliance.
We advise for all of foreign applicants to have the Real Name registration done before the submission date of the new work permit, to avoid any unplanned delays. Real Name registration basically involves all the relevant personal information that has to be registered at the labour Bureau in the city that the job is based in. Applications for the foreign work permit and residence permit need to be completed within 30 days of the candidate arriving in China.
The new policy will not affect expats who already work in China – but from their next extension they will be on the new system.
Other established requirements, like obtaining a certificate of good health from the PSB clinic in China, and demonstrating proof of where you live / will live, hasn’t changed at all.
Type A
High Level Talents: Talent Points required ＞85+
Type B
Common Talents: Talent Points 60-85
Type C
Common Applicants: Talent Points ＜60
Check which type you are by seeing the categories where points will now be awarded:
| Points Options | Standards | Points |
| Direct
Qualification |
Be selected to national Talent Plan or international acknowledged professional contribution standards | — |
| Be in the encouraged industry or position | — | |
| Innovative and Entrepreneurial Talent and excellent young talents | — | |
| Annual Salary(CNY)
Highest 20 |
≥ 450,000 | 20 |
| 350,000 – 450,000 | 17 | |
| 250,000 – 350,000 | 14 | |
| 150,000 – 250,000 | 11 | |
| 70,000 – 150,000 | 8 | |
| 50,000 – 70,000 | 5 | |
| ＜ 50,000 | ||
| Education
Highest 20 |
Doctor or equivalent | 20 |
| Master or equivalent | 15 | |
| Bachelor or equivalent | 10 | |
| Related Working Years
Highest 15 |
For ≥2, one more year one more points | Highest 15 |
| 2 years | 5 | |
| ＜ 2 | 0 | |
| Annual Working Time
(Month) Highest 15 |
≥ 9 | 15 |
| 6 – 9 | 10 | |
| 3 – 6 | 5 | |
| ＜ 3 | 0 | |
| Chinese Level
Highest 10 |
Chinese related major bachelor or equivalent | 10 |
| HSK 5 Class | 10 | |
| HSK 4 Class | 8 | |
| HSK 3 Class | 6 | |
| HSK 2 Class | 4 | |
| HSK 1 Class | 2 | |
| Working Area
Highest 10 |
Western China | 10 |
| South East China | 10 | |
| Middle or poor area in China | 10 | |
| Age
Highest 15 |
18 – 25 | 10 |
| 26 – 45 | 15 | |
| 46 – 55 | 10 | |
| 56 – 60 | 5 | |
| ＞ 60 | 0 | |
| Graduation
Highest 5 |
Graduate from World-Top 100 university | 5 |
| Work in World-Top 500 companies | 5 | |
| Encouraged Points from Provincial Government | Shortage talents of local social and economic | 0-10 |
Here is the Chinese version in case you would like to show it to any local colleagues, for instance, your HR department:
积分要素计分赋值表
| 计分项 | 标准 | 得分 |
| 直接赋予资格项 | 入选国内人才引进计划和符合国际公认的专业成就认定标准 | — |
| 符合市场导向的鼓励类岗位标准 | — | |
| 创新创业人才和优秀青年人才 | — | |
| 国内聘用单位支付年薪（万元）
此项最高20分 |
≥ 450,000 | 20 |
| 350,000 – 450,000 | 17 | |
| 250,000 – 350,000 | 14 | |
| 150,000 – 250,000 | 11 | |
| 70,000 – 150,000 | 8 | |
| 50,000 – 70,000 | 5 | |
| ＜ 50,000 | ||
| 受教育程度或国际职业资质证明
此项最高20分 |
博士或相当 | 20 |
| 硕士或相当 | 15 | |
| 学士或相当 | 10 | |
| 相关工作年限
此项最高15分 |
超过2年的，每增加一年，增加一分 | 最高15分 |
| 2年 | 5 | |
| ＜ 2 | 0 | |
| 每年工作时间
此项最高15分 单位：月 |
≥ 9 | 15 |
The requirements and procedures are expected to change during the trial period, which will run from Nov 1st 2016 to around April 2017.
Foreign employers who wish to hire new foreign employees in China should take note of the changes and be prepared for the foreign work permit applications to avoid any unplanned delays.
