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- Human Resources and Payroll in China 2016-2017 (5th Edition)
• Within ten (10) days of obtaining approval to change their employment location or employer unit,
a foreigner must go to the public security authority to apply for amendment of their Residence
Certificate. Otherwise, they might be banned from working in China.
• If the alien employment permit only needs to be amended, then the foreign employee only needs
to amend their alien residence permit correspondingly. There is no requirement to change the visa.
• If a new alien employment permit is needed, then the foreigner needs to go through the whole
process like the new applicants, which is extremely onerous.
Applying for Residence Permit
Employees who received their Employment Permit are required to apply for the residence certificate
from the Division for Exit-Entry Administration of Local Public Security Bureau within 30 days after
their entry into China. Receipt of a residence permit signifies the completion of the visa issuance
process, allowing the applicant to travel into and out of China as regularly as they require.
To receive the residence permit, an applicant must submit the following documentation:
• Application Form.
• Alien Employment Permit.
• Business license of the employer entity.
• Valid passport with Z-visa of the foreigner.
• Health certificate confirmed or issued by Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.
• Recent passport-size photos.
• Accommodation registration.
The application takes about 5-15 working days. In addition, the application procedures are slightly
different from city to city. For example, in Shanghai, the applicant is required to show up in person
to a government office to take a digital picture to confirm it’s the same person as the passport
holder from the application.
The term of validity of the residence certificate is determined in accordance with the validity of the
employment permit, which is usually for up to one year. In some cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai,
certain foreign employees can apply for five-year residence permits, subject to higher qualifications.