Two Categories of Foreign Experts
1) The first category of ‘Foreign Experts’ refers to those who sign standard employment contracts with USTB. In these contracts, it is usually stated that the foreign expert should not, according to recent regulations, be allowed to work for another employer and therefore only work on campus for USTB. The duration of these contracts is typically more than 90 days.
2) The second category of ‘Foreign Experts’ refers to those professionals, who at the invitation of USTB, engage in collaborative projects in the fields of education, scientific research, technical development, management as well as consultation for normally less than 90 days on campus per year.
Questions and Answers Regarding the Foreign Experts Visa
USTB Faculty: How do we go about hiring a foreign national to work at our university?
USTB Global: Does he want to work here full-time?
USTB Faculty: Yes, that's the plan.
USTB Global: USTB will then start the process to apply for his Work Permit and Residence Permit as soon as possible. But you need to tell the prospective employee that because, he is applying from outside of China, additional documents like a Criminal Background Check, University Degree, a 120hr TEFL certificate are required. You should also tell him that these documents need to be notarized and the whole application process could take up to three months before arriving in Beijing and working at USTB.
USTB Faculty: How do I explain the differences between a Work Permit and a Residence Permit?
USTB Global: The Work Permit is a card issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA), which certifies that the holder has the legal right to work as an expert in China. To obtain the Work Permit, USTB will fill in the application and submit the relevant documents to SAFEA. Approval is usually granted within five days. The next step is to apply for the Residence Permit. Issued by the Public Security Bureau to any foreign national who has obtained the Work Permit, the Residence Permit is a sticker affixed to the passport like a multiple entry visa with a period of validity of usually one or two years. Multiple entry means that the holder of the permit can enter and leave China as many times as he/she wants during the period of validity.
USTB Faculty: How do we go about inviting a foreign expert to participate in a joint project with USTB? The project will be completed before 90 days.
USTB Global: In this situation, as long as the expert meets the requirements of a ‘high-level foreign talent’ (Category A), the International Office of USTB will apply to SAFEA for a confirmation letter, which can be used to apply for the R visa at a particular overseas embassy of China. Should the expert not meet the requirements of a ‘high-level foreign talent,’ USTB will instead apply for an ‘Invitation Letter’ so that the expert can apply for the F visa at an embassy of China. In some cases, however, a foreign expert can be required to provide the Confirmation Letter of Invitation at the ‘Duly Authorized Unit’ when applying for the F visa. The International Office of USTB will apply for this document from the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of the Municipality of Beijing. With this document in hand, the expert can apply for the F visa at the nearest Chinese embassy.
The F visa will grant the expert the right to enter China for a period normally less than 90 days. As regulations concerning visas regularly change, please make sure to consult the nearest Chinese embassy in advance for the most recent visa information.
USTB Faculty: Will USTB offer both salary and accommodation for this expert?
USTB Global: Yes!
Application for the Work and Residence Permit (See VISA II)
Application for the Confirmation Letter Concerning ‘High Level Foreign Talents’ (See VISA III)
Application for the Invitation Letter Concerning a Foreign Expert (See VISA III)
Application for the Confirmation Letter of Invitation at a Duly Authorized Unit (See VISA V)
Introduction to the Categories of Foreign Experts in China
To set up a scientific and practical foreign national work assessment system which focuses on ability, achievements and contribution, and highlights market demand as well as value reflected in market evaluation and international peer evaluation, foreigners coming to work in China are, according to SAFEA, to be divided into three categories. These categories are A, B and C.
I) High-end Foreign Talents (Category A)
Category A includes scientists, leading figures in both science and technology, international entrepreneurs, and other highly sought after individuals urgently needed in the economic and social development of China. In this category, these individuals are awarded special privileges.
II) Foreign Professional Talents (Category B)
Category B includes all foreign professionals specifically stated in the ‘Foreigners ‘Employed in China Guide.’ These foreign professionals are also needed to further the economic and social development of China.
III) Other Foreign Nationals (Category C)
Category C includes all foreign nationals employed to meet the continuing demands of the domestic labor market in line with state policies and regulations.
