Key rules (summary of the official text):
• A foreigner may not work in China without first obtaining a work permit (Foreigner's Work Permit) + a work-type residence permit.
• Sponsorship system: the employer (company) files the application and obtains the permit on the foreigner's behalf.
• The path: the foreigner enters on a work (Z) visa, then converts it to a work-type residence permit within the set period after arrival.
• Tied permit: the permit is linked to a specific employer, role and location; changing any of these requires redoing the paperwork.
• Prohibition: working on a tourist or student visa is forbidden; a breach exposes both the worker and the employer to fines and possibly deportation.
💼 Work permits
Rules for the Administration of Employment of Foreigners in China · Yalla China
外国人在中国就业管理规定
Enacted: 1996-01-22 ✅ Effective: 1996-05-01
📝 Overview
The rules governing foreigners working in China — work permit and employer sponsorship.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
Practical reading: before you start any job, confirm for yourself that the permit was issued in your name and for that exact company and role. Do not accept "start now, fix the papers later" — working before the permit is issued is a violation. When changing role or employer, do not move before the permit is updated. Keep copies of the permit and contract. The employer is responsible for the process, but the consequences also fall on you. General orientation, not formal advice.
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026