The employer concerned is required to go through the following procedures before the employed foreign expert comes to China

1. The employer of foreign experts is required to issue Letter of Confirmation on the Employment of Foreign Experts (hereinafter referred to as the Letter of Confirmation) to the foreign experts and mail the original copy to him/her. If the term of service exceeds six months, the employer has to apply for a Work Visa (Z) for them. If it is less than six months, the engaging party shall apply for a Visiting Visa (F).

2. The engaging party is required to send to the foreign expert a Letter of Invitation, which can only be issued by the departments of foreign experts affairs of the provinces or of the ministries under the State Council.

3. With the Letter of Confirmation and the Letter of Application, the foreign expert shall apply for Work Visa (Z) or Visiting Visa (F) at the Chinese embassy or consulate in his/her country.

Points for Attention:
1. For the foreign expert employed by the employer directly under provinces and autonomous regions, the Letter of Confirmation and the Letter of Invitation are to be issued by the Department of Foreign Experts Affairs at the provincial level.

2. For the foreign expert employed by the employer directly under the State Council, the Letter of Confirmation and the Letter of Invitation are to be issued by the Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs. Or the issuance may be entrusted to the Department of Foreign Experts Affairs of the province, the autonomous region, or the municipality (for those municipalities directly under the Central Government).

3. The intermediate agency approved by and registered with the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs issues the Certificate of Employment to foreign experts who are recommended by the intermediate agency approved by and registered with the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs or to those who seek employment through the intermediate agency after the expiration of the former contract. Then the employer shall apply for the Letter of Confirmation and the Letter of Invitation at the higher authorities in charge.

Source: english.gz.gov.cn

Editor: Jessie Hwang