If a foreign employee comes to China for the first time, he is not familiar with the procedures and materials involved in the work visa, which may lead to many unnecessary detours in the process. Not long ago, we came into contact with a foreign executive. Because his assistant had not dealt with the foreign visa affairs before, without fully understanding the complexity of the work visa application, he blindly referred to the online suggestions and submitted some materials that did not meet the application conditions. As a result, the applicant received an illegal work warning from the Science and Technology Bureau, which makes the applicant likely no longer eligible to apply for a work visa and could face penalties under the immigration regulations.
According to the regulations on foreigners applying for work in China, applicants with a bachelor's degree or above can apply for a work permit for foreigners in China if they have more than two years of working experience. However, foreign academic qualifications need to go through the certification process before being recognized by the examination and approval authorities.
1. Requirements for work permit for academic certification
Those who obtain the highest degree (degree) certificate abroad need to go through the certification process. This process can be carried out through our embassies or consulates abroad, or the embassies or consulates in China of the country where the applicant obtains thedegree (degree) (the Hague Contracting countries can conduct the Hague certification) or the academic certification institution of China.
Those who have obtained the highest degree (academic background) certificate in the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regionand the Taiwan region shall be certified by China's academic background certification institution or notarized by the notary office in the region where they are located.
Those who have obtained the highest degree (degree) in China must be certified by the website.
*According to the laws and regulations of China, if the competent department of the industry needs to conduct pre-approval or have the corresponding admittance professional qualification, the approval documents of the competent department of the industry or the certificate of professional qualification must be provided.
2. Educational background certification method
1) Handling by foreign embassies
The process of certification of the document in the embassy or consulate of the issuing country is as follows: First, the applicant needs to submit the document to the local notary for notarization, and the notary will sign and seal the document. Then, the applicant needs to submit the notarized documents to the provincial government for certification, and the provincial government will confirm that the notary's signature is true. Finally, the applicant needs to submit the documents certified by the provincial government to the local Chinese consulate for certification, and the consulate will confirm that the seal of the provincial government is true. In addition, it should be noted that, starting from November 7,2023, China has officially launched the certification process of The Hague. If the applicant's host country is a member of the Hague Contracting State, then they can directly perform the Hague certification. The specific process, information required, costs and time may vary from country to country, so it is recommended to confirm with the local embassy inadvance.
2) Handling by the Chinese Embassy in China
If the foreigners are in China, they can go directly to the degree to obtain the national embassy or consulate in China for certification. However, please note that not all Chinese embassies and consulates in China provide certification services, so please confirm with the Chinese embassies and consulates in China that have obtained their degrees in advance.
3) Hague certification
Obtain proof of no criminal record: apply to the local law enforcement agency or police station, and submit personal identification,fingerprint collection and application form and other relevant materials.
Notarization steps: After obtaining the proof of no criminal record, submit it to the local notary office or notary office for notarization, and fill in the corresponding application form.
Translation and Certification: After completing the notarization, it may be necessary to translate the certification documents into Chinese. Subsequently, the translation is submitted together with the original supporting documents for certification.
Hague Certification: Submit the documents to the Hague certification body of the host country. The agency is responsible for authenticating notarial documents and providing the Hague certification services. Complete the application form and pay the corresponding fee.
Document Return: After completing the Hague certification, your document willbe returned. You will receive a copy with the Hague certification mark and certification number.
Please note that the specific Hague certification process may vary bycountry and region. Therefore, during the process, it is recommended that you consult the relevant department or the Hague certification Authority to ensure that certification is performed in the right steps. If you are worried about the certification error impact, you can contact us to assist in the Hague certification.
4) Certification issued by the Ministry of Education
Foreigners in a third country (non-degree obtaining countries, non-China) can choose to directly apply for the certification of the Service Center for Overseas Study of the Ministry of Education. However, please note that not all overseas schools support this certification, according to the actual certification situation.
5) Domestic student credit network certification
After obtaining a degree certificate in China, foreigners can choose to certify through the website or go to a domestic notary office for notarization. Special reminder, non-Chinese proof materials need tobe accompanied by a Chinese translation.
3. Handling the work permit process
The procedures and preparation materials for foreigners to obtain work permits vary according to their personal situation and the type of company.
For individual foreigners:
You need to confirm your job category, such as employment category, internship category, expert category, etc.
Prepare relevant materials, including personal resume, education certificate, health certificate, employment contract and other documents.
Apply for a visa from Chinese embassies or consulates in their country.
After obtaining a visa, enter China.
Within 30 days after entry, the application for a work permit shall be submitted to the local foreigner employment service administration agency.
After submitting the materials for verification, the decision organ shall review the examination and make a decision within 10 working days.
After obtaining the work permit, it is necessary to regularly update and manage their own work permit to the local foreigner employment service management agency.
For the company:
Register the unit account in the work permit pre-examination system for foreigners.
After completing the account registration of the company, you need to submit the application information online, and provide relevant electronic materials, including business license, organization code certificate, tax registration certificate, etc.
If a special service agency is entrusted to handle the matter, the name of the special service agency and the legal registration certificate (business license or organization code certificate shall beregistered online Social insurance registration certificate or registration certificate of resident representative office of foreign enterprises, etc.), the name, identity certificate, contact number, etc., and submit the power of attorney of the employer and the identity certificate of the agent.
After passing the online pre-examination, relevant materials shall be prepared, including business license, dispatch letter, application form, etc., and submit them to Chinese embassies and consulates abroad for visa application.
After passing the online pre-examination, relevant materials shall be prepared, including business license, dispatch letter, application form, etc., and submit them to Chinese embassies and consulates abroad for visa application.
After examination, the acceptance institution shall decide whether to accept it. If accepted, it shall examine it and make a decision.
After obtaining the work permit, the company needs to regularly update and manage the foreigner's work permit to the local foreigner employment service management agency.
It should be noted that the specific procedures and required materials for different types of foreigners and companies may be different, so in the actual process, they need to carefully read the relevant regulations and requirements, and prepare materials according to the requirements.
外籍员工首次来中国工作，如果对办理工作签证涉及的流程和所需材料不熟悉，有可能导致他在办理过程中走很多不必要的弯路。就在前不久，我们接触到一位外籍高管，因为他的助理之前没有处理过外籍来华签证的事务，所以在没有完全了解工作签证申请的复杂性情况下，就盲目地参考了网上的建议，提交了一些不符合申请条件的材料。结果申请人收到了科技局的非法工作警告，这使得这位申请人很可能不再具备申请工作签证的资格，并且可能会面临出入境管理条例的处罚。
根据外国人来华工作申请规定，拥有学士学位及以上的申请人，如果具备两年以上的工作经验，可以申请外国人来华工作许可。但是，国外学历需要经过认证流程，才能被审批机关认可。
1.办理工作许可对学历认证的要求
获得国外最高学位（学历）证书的人员，需要经过认证流程。这个流程可以通过我驻外使、领馆，或者申请人获得学位（学历）所在国驻华使、领馆（海牙缔约国可进行海牙认证）或我国学历认证机构进行。
在港澳特别行政区和台湾地区获得最高学位（学历）证书的人员，需要经过我国学历认证机构的认证，或者经过所在地区的公证机构公证。
凡在中国境内获得最高学位（学历）证书的，必须经过学信网的认证。
*根据我国法律法规规定，需要由行业主管部门进行前置审批或具备相应准入类职业资格的，必须提供行业主管部门批准文书或职业资格证明。
2.学历认证方法
1）驻外使馆办理
我国驻学位证书颁发国的使、领馆对文件进行认证的流程如下：首先，申请人需要将文件提交给当地的公证员进行公证，公证员会在文件上签字并盖章。接着，申请人需要将公证过的文件提交给所在省的政府进行认证，省政府会确认公证员的签名是真实的。最后，申请人需要将经过省政府认证的文件提交给我国驻当地的领事馆进行认证，领事馆会确认省政府的盖章是真实的。另外需要注意的是，从2023年11月7日开始，我国正式启动了海牙认证的流程。如果申请人的所在国是海牙缔约国的成员，那么他们可以直接进行海牙认证。每个国家的具体流程、所需资料、费用和时间可能会有所不同，因此建议提前与当地的使馆进行确认。
2）驻华使馆办理
如果外籍人士人在国内，他们可以直接前往学位取得国驻华使、领馆进行认证。但请注意，不是所有国家在驻华使领馆都提供认证业务，因此请提前与学位取得国驻华使领馆确认。
3）海牙认证
获取无犯罪记录证明：向当地执法机构或警察局提出申请，并提交个人身份证明、指纹采集和申请表格等相关材料。
公证步骤：在获得无犯罪记录证明后，将其提交至当地公证处或公证机构进行公证，并填写相应的申请表格。
翻译与认证：完成公证后，可能需要将证明文件翻译成中文。随后，将翻译件与原始证明文件一并提交进行认证。
海牙认证：将文件提交至所在国家的海牙认证机构。该机构负责认证公证文件，并提供海牙认证服务。需填写申请表格并支付相应的费用。
文件返还：完成海牙认证后，您的文件将被返还。您将收到附有海牙认证标志和认证号码的副本。
请注意：不同国家和地区具体的海牙认证流程可能存在差异。因此，在办理过程中，建议您咨询相关部门或海牙认证机构以确保按照正确的步骤进行认证。如担心认证有误影响办事，可联系我们协助办理海牙认证。
4）教育部认证
外国人在第三国（非学位取得国，非中国），可选择直接申请我国教育部留学服务中心的认证。但请注意，并非所有境外学校都支持此认证，具体以实际认证情况为准。
5）国内学信网认证
外国人留学生在中国获得学位证书后，可以选择通过学信网进行认证，或者到国内公证机构办理公证。特别提醒，非中文的证明材料都需要附带中文翻译件。
3.办理工作许可流程
外国人办理工作许可的流程和准备材料，因个人情况和公司类型而异。
对于外国人个人：
需要确认自己所属的工作类别，如就业类别、实习类别、专家类别等。
准备相关材料，包括个人简历、学历证明、健康证明、雇佣合同等文件。
向中国驻其所在国家的使领馆申请签证。
获得签证后，入境中国。
在入境后的30天内，向所在地的外国人就业服务管理机构提出工作许可证申请。
提交材料核验后，决定机构应当在10个工作日内进行审查并作出决定。
获得工作许可证后，需要定期向所在地的外国人就业服务管理机构更新和管理自己的工作许可证。
对于公司：
在外国人工作许可预审系统进行单位账号注册。
完成单位账号注册后，需要在线提交申请信息，并提供相关电子材料，包括营业执照、组织机构代码证、税务登记证等。
委托专门服务机构办理的，需在线登记专门服务机构名称、合法登记证明（营业执照或组织机构代码证、社会保险登记证或外国企业常驻代表机构登记证等），经办人姓名、身份证件、联系电话等，并现场提交用人单位委托书、经办人身份证明。
在线预审通过后，需要按照要求准备相关材料，包括营业执照、派遣函件、申请表等，并提交给中国驻外使领馆进行签证申请。
获得签证后，外国人入境中国，并在入境后的30天内向所在地的外国人就业服务管理机构提交工作许可证申请材料。
受理机构审查后决定是否受理，如受理，则进行审查并作出决定。
获得工作许可证后，公司需要定期向所在地的外国人就业服务管理机构更新和管理外国人的工作许可证。
需要注意的是，不同类别的外国人和公司办理工作许可的具体流程和所需材料可能有所不同，因此在实际办理过程中需要仔细阅读相关规定和要求，并按照要求准备材料。
