China Work Permit: How Points Decide Your
Understand how your salary, education, age and experience are scored to set your work permit category.
No published figure yet. The authority does not publish this cost in a form we could verify and quote, so this guide covers the procedure only: what to bring, in what order, and where it goes wrong. We will add the figures the moment there is a source for them.
In order
- Gather your documents — Collect proof of salary, education degree, age (passport) and work experience letters.
- Estimate your points — Review the official points table to see how your salary, education, age and experience score.
- Identify your likely category — Add your estimated points to see which category you fall into.
- Ask your employer for the required proofs — Based on your category, request the specific documents your employer must provide, such as business licenses or tax records.
- Submit the application — Your employer files the application with the local authority, including your documents and their proofs.
- Wait for the decision — The authority reviews the points and assigns the final category, which may differ from your estimate.
- Receive your permit — If approved, your work permit will state your category and its validity period.
Your work permit application is assessed on a points system that classifies you into a category. That category determines what your employer must prove and how easy the approval is. This guide explains how the points work so you know what to expect.
Categories and What They Mean
Foreign workers are classified into categories, and the category decides what the employer must prove. Higher categories require more documentation and stricter proof from your employer, while lower categories are simpler. Your category is not something you negotiate with your employer. It is decided on the application based on the points you earn.
What the Points Weigh
The classification weighs salary, education, age and work experience against each other. Each factor contributes points, and the total places you in a category. No single factor guarantees a category. The points system balances strengths and weaknesses across all four areas.
How Offsets Work
A higher salary can offset a weaker qualification, and the reverse is also true. For example, strong education or long experience can compensate for a lower salary offer. This means you are not automatically disqualified if one factor is below average. The overall score is what matters.
Confirm before you act
Fees and processing times change. This page was checked on 2026-10-28; confirm the current rule with the authority named in each source above before you rely on a deadline.
Last checked 2026-10-28, next review 2027-04-26. Every figure above names its source and the date it was read. This page is a guide, not legal, tax or immigration advice — confirm with the authority before acting on a deadline.