You might also like: Centralized Quarantine Period for International Travelers Shorte Can My Employer/Agent blacklist Me? On 15th March, 2022, Guangzhou Municipal Science & Technology Bureau Released the Measures on Further Optimizing Work Permit Application on their website, the highlights are as follows:I. The whole process to be handled online"promise+ system of notification" will be implemented in the application of work permit. The whole procedure will be processed online and approval will be granted without any interview.Once approval is granted, newly granted Category A work permit holder can receive the permit directly, no need to submit any paper materials; newly Category B/C work permit holder needs to submit paper materials as required, and all original documents will be verified before the permit is issued.2. Mutual recognition of work permit qualificationsForeigners who have obtained work permits from other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area do not need to submit work qualification certificates (unless application for different positions and occupations) and the highest degree (academic qualifications) certificate when applying for work permits in Guangzhou; In principle, the foreigners can apply for work permits directly according to the originally permitted category.
3. Foreigners within the territory of China are allowed to apply for work permits directlyForeigners with valid visas may apply for a Work Permit directly without leaving China, after being hired by the employer.4. Relax restrictions on age and work experience on foreign scientific and technological talentsFor foreign scientific and technological talents hired by the main units undertaking projects in national, provincial and municipal science and technology plan or those who are urgently needed for the development of key industries, the age limit shall be relaxed to no more than 65 years old upon the recommendation of the unit; For foreign young scientific and technological talents who are urgently needed to complete the project, the work experience requirement can be exempted. For those who meet the conditions, a more than 2 year’s work permit can be granted.5. Foreign scientific and technological talents working in Guangzhou are allowed to work part-timeForeign scientific and technological talents who have obtained the Work Permit can work part-time in Guangzhou with the consent of the employer and after reporting to the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau (Municipal Foreign Specialized Bureau).6. Further expand the scope of application of the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-end TalentsFor foreign scientific and technological talents who participate in national, provincial and municipal science and technology projects and have doctoral degrees in key disciplines such as science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine, can apply for a "Foreign High-end Talent Confirmation Letter" and apply for a foreign talent visa (R) valid for up to 10 years.7. Relax the age limit for foreign high-skilled personnelFor foreign high-skilled talents who meet the municipal shortage talent catalog or are urgently needed for the development of key industries, the age limit should be appropriately relaxed to no more than 65 years old.Hope similar measures will be adopted in other cities soon.