A key reminder for every foreigner coming to China with visa-free entry:
每一位免签入境中国的外籍人士，都要牢记一个核心提醒：
Visa-free is a convenience for short-term entry, not a license for legal employment.
免签是短期入境的便利，绝非合法工作的许可。
Working in China without a work permit and work-type residence permit is illegal employment.
未取得工作许可及工作类居留许可，在华工作即为非法就业。
Both foreigners and their employers will face severe legal penalties.
外籍人士本人及聘用企业，都会面临严厉的法律处罚。
Whether you are a foreigner planning to work in China, or an HR handling foreign employment procedures, this guide is a must-save!
无论你是计划来华工作的外籍人士，还是办理外籍用工手续的HR，这篇指南都值得收藏！
Self-Check First: 3 Mandatory Prerequisites for Visa-Free to Residence Permit
先自查：免签转居留3个必备前提（缺一不可）
Before starting the application process, please check whether you meet these 3 prerequisites.
启动申请流程前，请先自查是否满足这3个前提条件。
If any one is not met, the application will be directly rejected.
任意一项不满足，申请都会直接被拒。
1. You must have a legally registered employer in China.
1. 必须有在中国合法注册的聘用企业。
The position must be non-prohibited and in line with national labor regulations.
岗位需为非禁止类，符合国家劳动法规要求。
2. You must apply within the valid period of your visa-free stay.
2. 必须在免签停留有效期内发起申请。
Overdue application will be deemed illegal stay, affecting future entry and exit.
逾期申请将被认定为非法停留，影响未来出入境。
3. You must meet the basic personal requirements.
3. 个人需满足基本要求。
Including appropriate age, qualified academic background, relevant work experience and no criminal record at home and abroad.
包括年龄达标、学历合格、具备相关工作经验、国内外无犯罪记录。
Material Preparation: Enterprise + Individual Checklist (Including Translation & Certification)
材料准备：企业+个人清单（含翻译认证要求）
The key to smooth application is complete and standardized materials.
申请顺利的关键，在于材料齐全、规范。
Foreign documents must meet translation and certification requirements, otherwise they will be rejected.
外文材料需满足翻译认证要求，否则一律不予受理。
Enterprise Materials (Prepared by the Employer)
企业材料（由聘用单位准备）
1. Copy of the business license (with annual inspection record) and unified social credit code.
1. 营业执照副本（带年检记录）、统一社会信用代码。
2. Formal employment contract (in Chinese, signed by both parties and stamped with the company seal).
2. 正式劳动合同（中文版本，双方签字并加盖企业公章）。
3. Company application letter and detailed job description.
3. 单位申请函、详细岗位说明书。
4. Social security registration certificate of the enterprise.
4. 企业社保登记证明。
Individual Materials (Prepared by the Expat)
个人材料（由外籍人士准备）
1. Original passport, visa page and entry stamp page (clear and valid).
1. 护照原件、签证页及入境章页（清晰有效）。
2. Academic certificate and work experience certificate.
2. 学历证书、工作资历证明。
Foreign documents must be translated by a qualified translation agency.
外文材料需由有资质的翻译机构完成翻译。
Translated documents must be stamped with the agency's official seal and the translator's signature.
翻译件需加盖翻译机构公章及译者签字。
3. Non-criminal record certificate (issued by the country of origin or place of residence).
3. 无犯罪记录证明（由国籍国或居留地出具）。
Overseas certificates must be notarized and authenticated in accordance with regulations.
境外出具的证明需按规定完成公证、认证手续。
4. 2 recent 2-inch white-background ID photos (taken within 6 months).
4. 近期2寸白底证件照2张（6个月内拍摄）。
5. Accommodation registration certificate (completed within 24 hours after entry).
5. 住宿登记证明（入境24小时内办理）。
6. Medical check-up certificate issued by China International Travel Health Care Center.
6. 中国国际旅行卫生保健中心出具的体检证明。
🔄 Step-by-Step Process: 4 Steps from Visa-Free to Legal Employment
🔄 流程拆解：4步从免签到合法工作
Follow the steps in order, no detours, and complete the procedures efficiently.
按顺序走步骤，不绕路，高效办结手续。
Note: You can only work legally after obtaining the work-type residence permit.
注意：拿到工作类居留许可后，方可合法工作。
Step 1: The employer applies for the work permit online.
第1步：用人单位在线申请工作许可。
Log in to the Service System for Foreigners Working in China to submit materials and wait for approval.
登录外国人来华工作管理服务系统，提交材料并等待审批。
Obtain the Foreigner Work Permit after approval (usually 3-5 working days).
审批通过后领取《外国人工作许可证》（通常3-5个工作日）。
Step 2: Complete the visa conversion procedure in China.
第2步：境内办理签证转签手续。
Go to the local exit-entry administration with the work permit to apply for a stay document.
持工作许可证到当地出入境管理部门，申请办理境内停留证件。
Complete the conversion from visa-free to stay visa (usually 1-2 working days).
完成免签到停留签证的转签手续（通常1-2个工作日）。
Step 3: Conduct a medical examination at a designated institution.
第3步：到指定机构完成体检。
Go to the designated China International Travel Health Care Center for a physical examination.
前往指定的中国国际旅行卫生保健中心进行体检。
Obtain a valid medical check-up certificate (valid for 6 months).
领取有效体检证明（有效期6个月）。
Step 4: Apply for the work-type residence permit.
第4步：申请办理工作类居留许可。
Submit all materials to the exit-entry administration and wait for review.
向出入境管理部门提交全套材料，等待审核。
Collect the residence permit after approval (usually 7-10 working days).
审核通过后领取居留许可（通常7-10个工作日）。
Risk Alert: 3 Fatal Mistakes to Avoid
风险警示：3个致命坑，绝对不能踩
Many applications are rejected or penalized because of these mistakes.
很多申请被拒、被处罚，都是因为踩了这些坑。
Please check carefully and avoid them completely!
请仔细核对，彻底规避！
1. Overdue stay or overdue application.
1. 逾期停留、逾期申请。
Visa-free stay has a clear time limit; overdue will be recorded as illegal stay.
免签停留有明确时限，逾期将被记录为非法停留。
It will not only lead to application rejection, but also affect future entry into China.
不仅会导致申请被拒，还会影响未来入境中国。
2. The actual position is inconsistent with the work permit.
2. 实际岗位与工作许可不符。
Your actual job content, position and working hours must match the approved content.
实际工作内容、岗位、工作时长，必须与审批内容一致。
Otherwise, it will be deemed illegal employment, and both parties will be penalized.
否则将被认定为非法就业，双方都会被处罚。
3. Foreign materials are not translated or authenticated.
3. 外文材料未翻译、未认证。
Untranslated documents, self-translated documents or documents without official seal are invalid.
未翻译、自行翻译或无公章的翻译件，均为无效材料。
The application will be directly rejected, wasting time and energy.
申请将直接被拒，白白浪费时间和精力。
Key Reminders for Compliance
合规重点提醒
Visa-free entry is only for short-term visits, not for employment.
免签入境仅用于短期访问，不可用于就业。
Do not work or receive remuneration before obtaining the residence permit.
未拿到居留许可前，不得工作、不得领取报酬。
All materials must be true and valid; fraud will lead to blacklisting.
所有材料必须真实有效，造假将被列入失信名单。
If the position or employer changes, update the procedures in time.
若岗位、雇主发生变更，需及时更新相关手续。