Guide for Foreign University Graduates Applying for Foreigner Work Permit (Class C

The foreign university graduates referred to in this guide are divided into two major categories: foreign students and foreign graduates from overseas universities, with specific classifications as follows:

1. Foreign students who have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher at universities in the Shanghai area and intend to work in the “Two Zones” and “Lingang” areas, Hongqiao Business District, the “Five New Cities (Jiading, Qingpu, Songjiang, Fengxian, Nanhui),” and among employers listed on the “Shanghai List of Science and Technology Innovation Professions.”

2. Outstanding foreign students who have obtained a master’s degree or higher at Chinese universities and intend to work in Shanghai.

1. Outstanding foreign graduates who have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher from high-level universities abroad and intend to work in the “Two Zones” and “Lingang” areas, Hongqiao Business District, the “Five New Cities (Jiading, Qingpu, Songjiang, Fengxian, Nanhui),” and among employers listed on the “Shanghai List of Science and Technology Innovation Professions.”

2. Outstanding foreign graduates who have obtained a master’s degree or higher from high-level universities abroad and intend to work in Shanghai.

1. Legally established, with a physical place of business, paying taxes and social insurance in accordance with the law, and having no serious records of illegal or untrustworthy conduct; positions filled by foreign nationals must be those with special needs for which suitable domestic candidates are temporarily unavailable, and must not violate relevant national regulations; wages paid to hired foreign employees shall not be lower than the local minimum wage standard.

2. Where prior approval by the competent industry authorities is required under laws and regulations, such approval must be obtained.

1. At least 18 years old and in good health.

2. Possessing the educational qualifications, degrees, and professional skills appropriate for the intended position.

3. Having no record of misconduct during their studies.

4. Having no criminal record.

5. Having graduated within the past two years.

6. Having a confirmed employer that operates normally and complies with the law within the administrative boundaries of this city.

Foreign university graduates shall work in positions aligned with their field of study (except for foreign students who have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher at universities in this city and intend to work in the “Two Zones” and “Lingang” areas, Hongqiao Business District, the “Five New Cities,” and among employers listed on the “Shanghai List of Science and Technology Innovation Professions”); remuneration shall, in principle, not be lower than the local minimum wage standard.

7. Holding a valid passport or other international travel document that can substitute for a passport.

8. Other conditions stipulated by laws and regulations.

1. Application Form for a Work Permit for Foreigners in China: To be completed online and printed before entry; signed by the foreign university graduate (a photocopy or faxed copy), then uploaded to the system with the official seal of the employing unit or an authorized department of the unit.

2. Letter of Intent for Employment: Clearly stating the Shanghai-based employer, job description, working hours, and proposed salary, signed and sealed by both parties.

3. Report on Reasons for Hiring: Must bear the official seal of the employing unit.

4. Complete Chinese resume of the foreign university graduate: Including educational background and internship or work experience, sealed by the employing unit.

5. Certificate of highest degree (education) and supporting certification materials: For certificates obtained abroad, they must be authenticated by our embassies or consulates overseas, or by the embassy or consulate of the country where the applicant earned the degree/education in China, or by a Chinese education certification body; for certificates issued in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or Taiwan, they must be certified by a Chinese education certification body or notarized by a notary public in the respective region; for certificates obtained within mainland China, only the original certificate is required.

In particular, foreign graduates from overseas universities must have graduated from high-level universities abroad, with the ranking of these institutions determined according to the list published by the National Administration of Foreign Experts’ Affairs in the “Foreigner Work Management Service System.”

6. Certificate of No Criminal Record and supporting certification materials: To be issued by police, security, or court authorities in the applicant’s country of nationality or habitual residence, and authenticated by our embassies or consulates overseas, or by foreign embassies or consulates in China (habitual residence refers to the country or region where the applicant has continuously resided for more than one year after leaving their country of nationality, excluding stays in mainland China); certificates issued in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or Taiwan must be notarized by a local notary public. The certificate must have been issued within six months. Solely declarative statements of no criminal record will not be accepted. Non-declarative certificates issued by diplomatic channels (including foreign embassies or consulates in China) may be directly accepted without further authentication.

7. Certificate of No Misconduct During Studies issued by the school attended by the foreign university graduate (exempt for foreign graduates from overseas universities): To be sealed by the school, security office, or international student affairs office.

8. Foreign university graduates holding a bachelor’s degree and working in the “Two Zones,” “Lingang” area, or Hongqiao Business District must provide employment verification issued by the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, Zhangjiang High-Tech Park, Lingang New Area, or Hongqiao Business District Management Committee.

9. Passport or international travel document of the foreign university graduate: Include the information page of the passport or travel document. The passport must be valid for at least six months.

10. Medical Examination Certificate: A verification certificate of physical examination results or a health check certificate issued by a Chinese inspection and quarantine agency, dated within the last six months. Before entry, a commitment letter regarding the medical examination may be submitted instead.

11. Recent front-facing, bareheaded photo of the foreign university graduate within six months: Electronic photo with a white background, no borders, clear facial features, sharp image, free of spots, blemishes, or printing defects. Hats or headscarves are discouraged; if religious reasons necessitate their use, ensure they do not obscure the applicant’s entire face.

It is recommended not to wear hats or headscarves; if religious reasons require it, ensure they do not cover the applicant’s entire face.

12. Outstanding foreign university graduates must submit proof of academic performance, demonstrating excellent grades with an average score of at least 80 points (on a 100-point scale, other grading systems converted to percentage), or B+/B (grade system) and above.

13. Other materials: Additional documents may be requested by the permit processing or decision-making authority as needed.

1. Application Form for a Work Permit for Foreigners in China: Completed and printed online, signed by the foreign university graduate, then uploaded to the system with the official seal of the employing unit or an authorized department of the unit.

2. Letter of Intent for Employment: Clearly stating the Shanghai-based employer, job description, working hours, and proposed salary, signed and sealed by both parties.

3. Report on Reasons for Hiring: Must bear the official seal of the employing unit.

4. Complete Chinese resume of the foreign university graduate: Including educational background and internship or work experience, sealed by the employing unit.

5. Certificate of highest degree (education) and supporting certification materials: For certificates obtained within mainland China, only the original certificate is required.

6. Certificate of No Criminal Record and supporting certification materials: To be issued by police, security, or court authorities in the applicant’s country of nationality or habitual residence, and authenticated by our embassies or consulates overseas, or by foreign embassies or consulates in China (habitual residence refers to the country or region where the applicant has continuously resided for more than one year after leaving their country of nationality, excluding stays in mainland China); certificates issued in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or Taiwan must be notarized by a local notary public. The certificate must have been issued within six months. Solely declarative statements of no criminal record will not be accepted. Non-declarative certificates issued by diplomatic channels (including foreign embassies or consulates in China) may be directly accepted without further authentication.

7. Certificate of No Misconduct During Studies issued by the school attended by the foreign university graduate: To be sealed by the school, security office, or international student affairs office.

8. Foreign university graduates holding a bachelor’s degree and working in the “Two Zones,” “Lingang” area, or Hongqiao Business District must provide employment verification issued by the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, Zhangjiang High-Tech Park, Lingang New Area, or Hongqiao Business District Management Committee.

9. Valid passport and valid visa or residence permit of the foreign university graduate: Include the information page of the passport or international travel document (passport validity must be at least six months), the visa page, the most recent entry stamp page, or the residence permit information page.

10. Medical Examination Certificate: A verification certificate of physical examination results or a health check certificate issued by a Chinese inspection and quarantine agency, dated within the last six months. Holders of valid residence permits applying for a work permit within China are exempt from submitting a medical examination certificate.

11. Recent front-facing, bareheaded photo of the foreign university graduate within six months: Electronic photo with a white background, no borders, clear facial features, sharp image, free of spots, blemishes, or printing defects. Hats or headscarves are discouraged; if religious reasons necessitate their use, ensure they do not obscure the applicant’s entire face.

12. Outstanding foreign university graduates must submit proof of academic performance, demonstrating excellent grades with an average score of at least 80 points (on a 100-point scale, other grading systems converted to percentage), or B+/B (grade system) and above.

13. Cancellation form or resignation certificate: If a foreign university graduate changes employers or positions within one year of graduation, and the work permit remains valid, the existing work permit must first be canceled. In cases of normal contract termination and reapplication for a work permit within China within one year, a resignation certificate from the previous employer must be submitted.

14. Other materials: Additional documents may be requested by the permit processing or decision-making authority as needed.

The “Work Permit for Foreigners in China” is processed entirely online (original application materials must be verified upon initial issuance). Applicants must carry all original documents when entering China. For those applying from abroad, after obtaining the work permit but before applying for a work residence permit, they must present the original materials to the processing agency within one month for document verification; for those applying within China, they should bring the original application materials to the processing agency for verification after pre-approval.

1. The initial validity period of the “Work Permit for Foreigners in China” for foreign university graduates working in Shanghai is one year. Upon expiration of the employment period, if the employer intends to continue hiring, they may do so after completing the prescribed approval procedures, with a maximum extension of five years.

2. If the personal income tax paid by a foreign university graduate is lower than the tax liability corresponding to the intended salary, or if the employer plans to offer a salary below the prescribed standard, the work permit will not be extended.

3. Employment of foreign university graduates in Shanghai is subject to quota management.