In our previous article, we analyzed the conditions under which foreigners in China can directly apply for a work permit (please click “Here” to view the original article for details). So, for applicants who want to save effort on "document preparation", is there a way to "take a shortcut"? Today's article will introduce the advantages and application requirements of a "Category A Work Permit".

上篇文章我们分析到，在哪些条件下中国境内的外籍人士可以直接申请工作许可（详情请点击“这里”查看原文了解），那么对于那些想在“文件准备”上节省力气的申请人，有没有办法可以“走走捷径”呢？今天这篇文章让我们了解下“A类工作许可”的优势及申请条件。

China classifies foreigners working in China into three categories: A, B, and C, and implements classified management according to standards. Foreign high-end talents who are urgently needed for China's economic and social development, such as scientists, leading scientific and technological talents, international entrepreneurs, and specialized talents, are identified as Category A if they meet the national priorities and directories for foreign talent introduction and one of the following conditions. They are provided with "green channel" and "tolerance for missing documents" services. Foreign high-end talents are not subject to age or work experience restrictions. The advantages are as follows:

中国将来华工作的外国人分为A、B、C三类，按标准实行分类管理。将中国经济社会发展急需的科学家、科技领军人才、国际企业家、专门特殊人才等“高精尖缺”外国高端人才，符合国家引进外国人才重点和目录及以下条件之一的，确定为A类，实行“绿色通道”和“容缺受理”服务。外国高端人才可不受年龄和工作经历的限制。优势如下：

• Fullprocess online handling without submitting physical documents for verification.
• 全流程在线办理，无需提交纸质材料核验;

• The highest degree (education) certificate adopts a commitment system.
• 最高学位（学历）证书采用承诺制；

• The certificate of no criminal record adopts a commitment system.
• 无犯罪记录证明采用承诺制；

• Those who have entered China with other visas or valid residence permits can apply for a work permit for foreigners in China within the country.
• 持其他签证或有效居留证件已入境，可境内申请外国人来华工作许可；

• For applications for work permits for foreigners in China, extensions of work permits for foreigners in China, and cancellation applications, the decision-making authority will review and make decisions within 5 working days.
• 申请外国人来华工作许可、外国人来华工作许可延期、注销申请的，决定机构在5个工作日内进行审查并作出决定；

• For applications to work in China for less than 90 days, an invitation letter for foreign experts to China can be applied for, and other foreign experts can accompany them. After obtaining the invitation letter for foreign experts to China, an F visa can be applied for, allowing multiple entries and exits, and no work-related residence permit is required after entry.
• 申请来华工作90日以下的，可以申请外国专家来华邀请函，其他外国专家可随行。获得外国专家来华邀请函后可申请F签证，可多次出入境，入境后无需办理工作类居留证件；

• A work permit for foreigners in China with a maximum duration of up to 5 years can be granted.
• 可给予最长期限达5 年的外国人来华工作许可。

I believe foreign friends who have gone through the process of applying for a work permit will agree that preparing the application materials, especially the highest educational degree certificate and the certificate of no criminal record, is often the most headache-inducing part. Although China officially joined the Hague Apostille Convention on November 7, 2023, which has made the apostille process for educational degree certificates and certificates of no criminal record much more convenient compared to previous consular authentication, considering the time factor, the Hague apostille still takes at least a few weeks. However, if you meet the criteria for a Category A work permit, you only need to make a written commitment regarding these two documents， largely saving you time, effort, and money!

想必经历过申请工作许可的外籍朋友们肯定深有体会，准备申请资料中最令人头疼的不外乎最高学历证明认证件和无犯罪记录证明及认证件。尽管自2023年11月7日起，中国正式加入《海牙认证公约》。可以对学历证明和无犯罪记录证明进行海牙认证，相比较之前的领事认证而言方便了不少，但从时间上考虑，海牙认证也需要花费至少几周时间。而如果您有条件申请A类工作许可，只需要对这两份文件进行书面承诺即可，可谓是省时省力又省钱！

(The figure on the right depicts consular certification, while the figure on the left represents Hague Apostille.)

（右图为领事认证；左图为海牙认证）

Individuals who meet the following criteria may apply for a Category A Work Permit:

符合以下条件的人群可申请A类工作许可：

1. Selected into domestic talent introduction programs

2. Meeting internationally recognized standards for professional achievement recognition

3. Meeting the needs of market-oriented encouraged job positions

4. Foreign talents with an average salary income not lower than 6 times the average social salary income of the region in the previous year

5. Having a point-based score of 85 or above

1. 入选国内人才引进计划的

2. 符合国际公认的专业成就认定标准的

3. 符合市场导向的鼓励类岗位需求的

4. 平均工资收入不低于本地区上年度社会平均工资收入6倍的外籍人才

5. 计点积分在85分以上

When considering applying for a Category A Work Permit, most applicants will often have Reindeer consultants analyze whether they meet the fourth or fifth criterion. If you, as an applicant, would like to know if you meet the other conditions, you might consider consulting Reindeer consultants for more information.

大部分申请人在考虑办理A类工作许可时，灵达顾问通常会分析申请人是否符合以上第4项或第5项条件。若申请人想了解是否自己符合其他条件，不妨咨询灵达顾问以获取更多信息。

Author 作者 | Fiona