Answer: According to the relevant laws and regulations of the PRC, foreigners shall obtain a work permit and a work-type residence permit before they are allowed to work in China’s mainland.

Is it required to change work permit and residence permit when a foreigner changes the employer?

Answer: According to the relevant laws and regulations of the PRC, the employer of foreigners must be consistent with the content recorded in their work permit. Therefore, foreigners who change their employer in China shall change their work permit or apply for a new work permit accordingly. Upon completion of the change of work permit, the residence permit shall be changed or extended as well.

A foreigner working in China is required to buy social insurance or not?

Answer: Foreigners working in China must participate in social insurance in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of the PRC, which include employee basic pension insurance, employee basic medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance, and maternity insurance.

A foreigner working in China is required to contribute to the housing provident fund or not?

Answer: According to the current laws and regulations of the PRC, foreigners working in China are not required by law to contribute to the housing provident fund. However, they may choose to do so voluntarily.

Does China still issue physical work permits to foreigners now?

Answer: Starting from 1 December 2024, China no longer issues physical work permits to foreigners. Electronic work permits will be issued accordingly.

Answer: Foreigners applying for Class B work permits cannot exceed 60 years old. Foreigners applying for Class A work permits do not have an age limit of 60 years old.