11 October, 2016
Pilot program for a new system of foreign work permits initiated
The State Administration of Foreign Experts' Affairs has announced that a new work permit system for foreign experts working in China will be trialled from 1 October 2016 until 31 March 2017 in the provinces of Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin, Shanghai, Anhui, Shandong, Guangdong, Sichuan and Ningxia.
Under the pilot program the current "Foreign Experts Working Permit" and "Alien Employment Permit" will be consolidated into a "Foreign Persons Work Permit Notice". Prospective foreign workers will be classified into three categories (A, B and C) under the principle of "encouraging high-end, controlling general, limiting low-end" immigration. Category A corresponds to foreign high-end talents; Category B corresponds to foreign professional workers; and Category C corresponds to foreign people who work to meet labour market needs, for example temporary workers, seasonal workers and non-technical workers. For Category C a points-based system will be implemented to differentiate between workers and limit the number of permits granted. Potential workers will fall into one of the three categories and will either face certain restrictions (in category C), or facilitations (in category A). In addition, the pilot program aims to halve the amount of documents which have to be filed and introduces a primarily electronic filing system to facilitate the procedure.
In provinces which are not testing the pilot scheme, the current system will remain in place until 1 April 2017, when the program will be extended nationwide. Work permits already issued will continue to be valid but holders may have the option to apply for the new documentation.
For further information, please contact:
Kristy Peacock-Smith, Partner, Bird & Bird
kristy.peacock-smith@twobirds.com
