China Category C work permit for foreign university graduates in Shanghai

Foreign graduates of eligible universities in China or overseas who apply within two years of graduation and meet the conditions for their degree and intended job in Shanghai.

• Eligible degree and job location

  Meet one of four routes: a bachelor's degree or higher from a university or college in Shanghai, with work in a listed designated area or for an employer with a position covered by the Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Occupation List; an outstanding international student with a master's degree or higher from a university or college in China intending to work in Shanghai; an outstanding graduate with a bachelor's degree or higher from a top-tier overseas university, with work in a listed designated area or for an employer with a position covered by that occupation list; or an outstand

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Degree level

  A bachelor's degree or higher is required. The routes for outstanding graduates intending to work anywhere in Shanghai require a master's degree or higher.

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Age

  Be at least 18 years old.

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Recent graduation

  Apply within two years of graduation.

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Confirmed employer

  Have a confirmed employer operating legally and conducting activities in accordance with China's laws. The employer must be legally established, have a physical workplace, pay taxes, contribute to social insurance, and have no record of serious unlawful or untrustworthy conduct.

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Suitable job

  The job must meet a special need, be one for which suitable candidates are temporarily unavailable domestically, and comply with relevant regulations. It must align with the applicant's major.

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Minimum pay

  The employer must not pay less than the local minimum wage standard; the guide also says remuneration normally shall not be lower than that standard.

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Health and job skills

  Be in good health and possess the academic qualifications, degrees and professional skills required for the job.

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Conduct and criminal record

  Have no record of misconduct during studies and no criminal record.

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Valid travel document

  Hold a valid passport or an international travel document that may be used instead; for an application from abroad, the passport must be valid for at least six months.

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Other legal conditions

  Meet other conditions stipulated by laws and regulations.

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Overseas universitySometimes needed

  Graduates of overseas universities must have graduated from a top-tier overseas university; the guide says its ranking is based on information publicly announced by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs in the Service System for Foreigners Working in China.

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Academic performanceSometimes needed

  Outstanding foreign university graduates must provide evidence of an average score of at least 80 on a 100-point scale, with other grading systems converted to that scale, or a grade of B+/B or above on a letter-grade scale.

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Industry approvalSometimes needed

  If laws or regulations require prior approval from a competent industry authority, the employer must obtain it.

  english.shanghai.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource

• Foreigner's Work Permit applicationzwdt.sh.gov.cn · checked 1 hour agoSource¥0 per person

1. Get ready

   • Check your degree and intended job

     Check which of the four graduate routes covers your university, degree and intended place of work or employer.

     You’ll need: Degree or academic qualification certificate

   • Confirm your employer and role

     Obtain a letter of intent specifying the employer, duties, working hours and intended remuneration, signed and sealed by both you and the employer.

     You’ll need: Letter of intent to employ, Employer-stamped report on the reasons for employment

   • Prepare your qualifications and records

     Prepare the required degree verification, criminal-record certificate and verification, Chinese-language CV, and any applicable evidence of academic excellence or designated-area employment.

     You’ll need: Highest degree or academic qualification certificate and verification, No criminal record certificate and verification issued within the last six months, Employer-stamped Chinese-language CV, Proof of academic excellence, if applicable, Designated-area work certificate, if applicable, University certificate of no misconduct, unless exempt as an overseas-university graduate

   • Prepare your identity and health documents

     Prepare the passport information page, a recent electronic photograph and the required medical certificate, or use a health commitment letter before arriving in China.

     You’ll need: Passport or accepted international travel document, Electronic photograph taken within the last six months, Medical examination certificate issued within six months before application, or a pre-arrival health commitment letter

2. Apply

   • Complete and upload the application

     Complete the form online before entering China, print and sign it, obtain the employer's seal, and upload it with the application documents.

     You’ll need: Signed, employer-sealed application form, Supporting application documents

   • Obtain the work permit notification

     Follow the application process for a Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit before applying for a work visa abroad.

     You’ll need: Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit

3. Visa

   • Apply for a Z work visa

     Apply for a Z visa using the work permit notification and the required visa application materials.

     You’ll need: Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit, Passport, Photograph

4. Travel

   • Bring your original documents

     When you arrive

     Bring all original application documents when you travel to China.

     You’ll need: Original application documents

5. Settle in

   • Have your originals checked

     When you arrive

     Within one month of arrival, present the original documents to the accepting authority for verification before applying for a work-related residence permit.

     You’ll need: Original application documents

   • Apply for a work-related residence permit

     When you arrive

     After entering on a Z visa, apply to the local exit-entry administration for a residence permit within 30 days of entry, subject to the exception stated on the Z-visa guidance page.

     You’ll need: Passport and visa, Evidence of work permit

A work permit and an application for a work-related residence permit; the work permit may be renewed after the required examination and approval.

• Guide to applying for a Foreigner's Work Permit (Category C) for foreign university graduates_Latestenglish.shanghai.gov.cnOfficial
• english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Individuals-ImmigrationandVisas-Visaapplic…Official
• 一网通办zwdt.sh.gov.cnOfficial
• english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-FAQS-WorkinShanghai/20231215/016efa11ac8a4…Official

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.