Transferring your work permit

Are you in China and moving from one job to another? Transferring your visa seems like a difficult process with a lot of steps and endless paperwork, and let’s be honest – we all dread it! We created a step by step to give you some clarity on the process.

1. Cancel your work permit

First, cancel work permit (your employer will do this, and can take up to 10 days). You will have to go to the visa office, and they will take your passport for that time. It is NOT necessary to cancel your residence permit, but your previous employer may insist on it.

2. Ensure you have these documents from your previous employer:

        – Cancellation letter (foreign expert bureau stamp required)

        – Release letter (foreign expert bureau stamp required)

        – Confirmation of working at previous employer (ex employer’s company stamp required)

Your new employer will need these when applying for your new work permit.

3. Go to the police station

If you have moved apartment, whether in the same or a different city, you will need to go to the police station to register and obtain a new temporary residence form.

4.  Apply for a new work permit

Your new job will now apply for a new work permit for you.

Your new employer will need:

        – Cancellation letter (foreign expert bureau stamp required)

        – Release letter (foreign expert bureau stamp required)

        – Confirmation of working at previous employer (ex employer’s company stamp required)

        – Temporary residence form

        – Degree

        – Passport

        – CV

        – (Possibly) new health check

Your application will be submitted online. The approval will take 2-3 weeks.

5. You MIGHT need a new stay visa

If you have a valid residence permit that has a minimum of 30 days left from the day that a new work permit was applied for, then you can skip this step.

If your residence permit was cancelled by the previous employer OR will expire before the work permit transfer, then you will need to visit the entry-exit bureau to obtain a 30 day stay visa.

6. Apply for residence permit

Work permit approved? Great! You can now head to the entry-exit bureau to apply for a new residency permit. They will take your passport for 4-6 weeks. Once your passport is returned – you are sorted!

And there you have it! They are the steps for your visa transfer. Good luck!