The classification of work visas for foreigners coming to China is basedon the principle of 'encouraging high-end, controlling general, and restricting low-end', which is divided into threecategories: A, B, and C. In these categories, Category A represents foreign high-end talents, who usually possess highly specialized skills to meet the needs of China's economic development, including scientists, science and technology leaders, international entrepreneurs, and experts in special fields, regardless of age or work experience. Category B refers to foreign professionals who meet specific industry and job requirements, hold a bachelor's degree or above, and have relevant work experience. Category C includes other foreign personnel engaged in short-term, seasonal, unskilled or service work.
For foreign high-end talents (Category A), they enjoy some convenient application measures. First of all, foreign high-end talents selected in the relevant domestic talent program can apply for foreigners' work permits in China online through the whole process, without submitting paper documents for verification. Second, foreign high-endtalents (Category A) can submit the highest degree and no criminal record proof through the commitment system. In addition, foreigners who are already in China and hold other visas or valid residence documents can also apply for work permits for foreigners in China. Finally, the decision agency will review and decide within five working days whether to issue a work permit for foreigners with a maximum term of five years.
Foreign high-end talents need to meet specific point standards and provide relevant supporting documents. The employer of foreign high-end talents should be a unit with legal personality, market influence and good reputation, at the same time, the work of foreign high-end talents needs to be adapted to the industry and field of the employer, and meet the salary standards. In addition, foreign high-end talents are also required to hold a legal and valid passport or other international travel document and submit relevant materials, such as medical certificates.
For foreign professionals (Category B), they need to meet specific job guidance catalogs and job requirements, as well as certain educational and work experience requirements. Employers of foreign professionals also need to meet a number of qualification requirements. When submitting materials, foreign professionals are required to provide complete information and application materials, such as medical certificates and documents such as passports.
The application requirements for Category C foreigners are relatively relaxed, and they only need to meet the needs of the domestic labor market and engage in some non-skilled or service work. However, they are also required to have a valid passport or other international travel document and submit the relevant application materials.
Tosum up, different types of work visas for foreigners in China correspond to different application conditions and regulations. Category A foreign high-end talents enjoy more convenience, and have more flexible work freedom and longer visa duration. When recruiting foreign talent, it is essential to establish a legal, standardized and transparent management system.
外国人前来中国工作签证的分类是基于“鼓励高端、控制一般、限制低端”的原则而设立的，总共分为A、B、C三类。在这些分类中，A类代表外国高端人才，他们通常拥有高度专业技能，满足中国经济发展需求，包括科学家、科技领袖、国际企业家和特殊领域的专家等，他们不受年龄和工作经验的限制。B类则是外国专业人才，他们需要符合特定的行业和职位需求，持有学士及以上学位以及相关工作经验。而C类则包括从事短期、季节性、非技术性或服务性工作的其他外国人员。
对于外国高端人才（A类），他们享受一些便捷的申请措施。首先，入选国内相关人才计划的外国高端人才可以通过全程在线申请外国人来华工作许可，无需提交纸质文件进行核验。其次，外国高端人才（A类）可以通过承诺制提交最高学历和无犯罪记录证明。此外，已经在中国境内的外国人，持有其他签证或有效的居留证件，也可以在中国国内申请外国人来华工作许可。最后，决定机构会在5个工作日内审查并决定是否颁发最长期限为5年的外国人来华工作许可。
外国高端人才需要满足特定的积分标准，并提供相关证明文件。雇佣外国高端人才的单位应该是具有法人资格、市场影响力和良好声誉的单位，同时，外国高端人才的工作需要与雇佣单位所在的行业和领域相适应，并满足薪酬标准。此外，外国高端人才还需要持有合法有效的护照或其他国际旅行证件，并提交相关材料，如体检证明。
对于外国专业人才（B类），他们需要满足特定的工作指导目录和岗位需求，以及一定的学历和工作经验要求。雇佣外国专业人才的单位也需要满足一系列资格要求。提交材料时，外国专业人才需要提供完整的信息和申请材料，如体检证明和护照等文件。
C类外国人员的申请条件相对宽松，只需要满足国内劳动力市场的需求，从事一些非技术性或服务性工作即可。不过，他们同样需要持有有效的护照或其他国际旅行证件，并提交相关的申请材料。
综而言之，外国人来华工作签证的不同类别对应不同的申请条件和规定。A类外国高端人才享有更多便利，并且具有更灵活的工作自由和较长的签证期限。在招聘外国人才时，建立合法、规范和透明的管理体系至关重要。
sources from SFBC
