Work Permit Categories A, B, and C, and Extensions, Amendments, and Cancellation

China's work permits for foreign nationals are managed by category: Category A for high-end foreign talent, Category B for foreign professionals, and Category C for other foreign personnel. Applications should be assessed against the official classification standards and the actual position. A talent title, salary, or educational qualification alone should not be treated as automatically qualifying for a category. Specific scoring, documents, and facilitation measures are subject to the current rules of the foreign expert authority.

For renewal, check both the permit and residence authorization

To continue in the original position, the employer must apply for an extension at least 30 days before the work permit expires. After an extension is approved, check whether the work-type residence permit also needs to be extended so that the two validity periods do not become inconsistent. After leaving the original employer, new work cannot continue solely on the basis of the permit obtained by that employer.

Do not overlook information changes or early departure

If permit information such as name, passport number, position, or category changes, apply for an amendment within 10 working days of the change as required. If an employment contract is terminated or ends early, the employer must apply to cancel the work permit within 10 working days in accordance with the law and coordinate handling of the residence permit. When changing employers or positions, first confirm whether an amendment or a new application is required.

Official categories and application conditions appear under Work Permits for Foreign Nationals in China on the Ministry of Science and Technology's foreign expert service pages. Beijing's coordinated process is subject to the official Beijing guide. Employers, applicants, and new employers should retain evidence of submissions and cancellations.