As the new China work permit policy started from April 2017, it’s a big change of the rules and systems, dominant bureau also converted from Labor bureau to Expert Bureau. The new protocols are extremely strict on applicant’s documents.

For applicants who work in China changing a job will be more complicated, more important thing is that you need to carefully process your application to avoid troublesome. The whole process costs 4-6 weeks, some applications may cost 1-3 months, what type of visa to hold during the process became a technical job, we suggest that you should consult an experienced agent or personnel to assist along the way.

Here are some advices and tips for those who are changing between jobs:

1.   Documents list you need to prepare when you change to a new job:

  1) Your accurate and updated resume

  2) Work reference letter (From any of your former employers)

  3) Original diploma with notarization copy

    (This can be exempted if you start the new work permit application on time)

  4) Non-criminal record report with notarization 

     (This can be exempted if you start the new work permit application on time)

  5) A release letter from your last employer

  6) The Cancellation letter of the last Alien Employment Permit book(if you already have new version work permit card then ignore this)

  7) Other documents are easy to prepare such as passport, photos etc (Please check our website or Public WeChat for the detailed documents list)

2. Steps

  1) Apply new Work Permit Card (4-6 weeks)

  2) Apply new Working Visa(5-7 working days) 

3.  Release Letter from the previous employer and Cancellation Letter of the last Alien Employment Permit book

Getting a Release Letter from your employer when you leave current job is helpful for your new working visa application.

Getting the Cancellation Letter of the last Alien Employment Permit book is the 1st step of the whole process, you can only start the application with this letter which usually costs 1 week to apply.

(Please see samples of the above mentioned two letters on our website or Public WeChat)

4. Foreigner Work Permit System Account

Please confirm with your new employer if they have an account on Foreigner Work Permit System (http://fwp.safea.gov.cn), or they have to register and apply one.

To open an account on the System require your employer to register online and verify the documents on the Expert Bureau counter, it cost 1-2 working days (other cities might cost1-2 weeks)

5. Working Experience and Position Title

You can not change the position title with your new job unless you prove at least 2 years relevant Working experience, for instance, if you were working as a Marketing Manager with your current company, you can not change the job title to a designer unless you provide a reference letter claiming that you have worked as a designer for at least 2 years.

The Job Changing application has become a very technical job ever since April 2017, there’s a lot detailed requirements of each documents and step, it takes up much more energy and time if you are not familiar with the new protocols. Do consult a professional agent to walk you through each step is suggested and necessary.

Writer’s Note:

In the job changing application, Shanghai and Beijing accept any of your current visa when you apply new working visa, other cities only accept resident permit.

Shanghai Expert Bureau accept your current resident permit expiry during the process, other cities would cancel your application if your current resident permit expires during the process and require you a new application instead of a changing application(New application require the Non-criminal record report and Diploma notarization)

Shanghai and Beijing accept the new Working Visa(Resident Permit) application with Z visa/Work Permit Notice/WorkPermit Card, other city only accept the Z visa/Work Permit Card, this means other city applicants have to go out China to apply Z visa and come back(But for changing process will be depends on).