Notice of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on Doing a Good Job in the Integration and Convergence of Foreigners' Work Permits and

Human Resources and Social Security Departments (Bureaus) of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and the centralized administrative departments for foreign experts affairs:
 

To implement the decisions and arrangements of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on improving the convenience of foreigners working in China, upon research, it is decided that starting from December 1, 2024, the Foreigner's Work Permit and the Social Security Card (hereinafter referred to as the Social Security Card) will be integrated (hereinafter referred to as Permit and Card Integration). By loading the information of the Foreigner's Work Permit for China (hereinafter referred to as the Work Permit) onto the Social Security Card, and relying on the physical Social Security Card and electronic Social Security Card, we will provide convenience for foreigners' work and life in China. Relevant requirements for the implementation of related work are notified as follows:

I. Optimize Work Procedures

(1) Apply for Work Permit

The application, extension, modification and cancellation of the Work Permit are all processed online through the Foreigner Work Administration Service System of China (hereinafter referred to as the China Work System). Foreigners do not need to apply for a physical Foreigner's Work Permit again after entering China. For those who have already received a physical Foreigner's Work Permit, in accordance with the principle of "no voluntary change, no mandatory replacement", the new Permit and Card Integration procedure shall be followed when the existing Work Permit application is extended or modified.

(2) Apply for Work Visa

Foreigners shall hold the "Foreigner's Work Permit Notice" to apply for the Z visa for working in China.

(3) Obtain the Electronic Social Security Card

After entering China, foreigners can download the Electronic Social Security Card APP on their mobile phones, register and log in with information such as name, work permit number or social security number, and after real-name and real-person verification, receive the electronic Social Security Card loaded with work permit information. After foreigners apply for and receive the physical Social Security Card, the electronic Social Security Card will provide standard services for them.

(4) Apply for Residence Permit

After entering China with a Z visa, foreigners shall go to the exit and entry department of the public security bureau at the place of work with the "Foreigner's Work Permit Notice" or the electronic Social Security Card loaded with work permit information to apply for the relevant residence permit. The relevant departments can verify the information directly through the information system, or query and obtain the foreigner's work permit information by checking the electronic Social Security Card, scanning the work permit QR code and other methods.

II. Provide Facilitated Services

(1) Participate in Social Insurance

The employing unit of the foreigner or the foreigner himself/herself may apply for social insurance registration for the foreigner through the online social insurance service hall or the social insurance agency by holding the "Foreigner's Work Permit Notice" or the electronic Social Security Card. The social insurance agency shall verify the foreigner's work permit information through the China Work System, establish a social security number for foreigners who meet the insurance participation conditions, and the social security card management service department shall issue a physical Social Security Card for them.

(2) Work Permit Related Services

Rely on the electronic Social Security Card to realize service functions such as work permit information query and download, QR code verification, and relevant message notification.

(3) Enjoy "All-in-one Card" Services

Departments of human resources and social security in all regions shall, in light of actual conditions, provide foreigners with human resources and social security services such as business information query and benefit subsidy collection through physical and electronic Social Security Cards, and regions with favorable conditions shall expand the coverage to more "All-in-one Card" services.

 III. Strengthen Organization and Implementation

(1) All regions shall take effective measures to earnestly implement all requirements of Permit and Card Integration. They shall continue to expand the application scenarios of Social Security Cards, support foreigners to enjoy "All-in-one Card" services in more fields, and provide convenience for foreigners' work and life in China.

(2) All regions shall make full preparations for the Permit and Card integration application technology. After the release of the relevant interface specifications of our ministry, they shall carry out the transformation of business information systems and equipment terminals in time in accordance with the specifications, connect with the China Work System of our ministry, and verify the work permit information.

(3) All regions shall carry out business training in time to ensure that staff are familiar with business processes and specifications. At the same time, they shall do a good job in supporting policies and implementation interpretation, respond to social concerns in a timely manner, gradually expand public awareness, and put the facilitated services provided for foreigners through Permit and Card Integration into place.