Foreign nationals who are already working in Hainan and will continue in the same position with their existing employer need to apply for an extension before their current work permit expires.

The official procedure states that the extension application must be submitted at least 30 days before the current work permit expires.

At a Glance

Who it is for: Foreign nationals continuing to work in the same position with their existing employer

When to apply: At least 30 days before the current work permit expires

Statutory processing time: 7 working days

Promised processing time: 7 working days

Fee: No charge

How to apply: Online; the procedure also lists window processing and express application

Responsible authority: Hainan Provincial Department of Science and Technology (省科学技术厅)

Consultation telephone: 0898-65326830

Who Can Apply?

This extension procedure applies where an employer will continue employing a foreign national in the same position. The application must be submitted at least 30 days before the existing work permit expires.

The official procedure also sets general conditions for both the employer and the foreign employee.

The employer must be legally established and have no serious record of illegal conduct or dishonesty. The position must have a particular need for a foreign employee where a suitable domestic candidate is not available, must not violate relevant national regulations, and the salary must not be below the local minimum wage. Where prior approval from an industry regulator is required, that approval must also have been obtained.

The foreign employee must be at least 18 years old, in good health, have no criminal record, have a confirmed employer in China and possess the professional skills or knowledge required for the position. The work must also meet China’s economic and social development needs and involve a profession for which there is an urgent need. Where laws or regulations contain specific provisions for foreigners working in China, those provisions apply.

What Documents Are Required?

The official procedure lists four required documents:

1. Foreigner’s Work Permit Extension Application Form

Complete the application form online through the Foreigner Work Management Service System and print it. The applicant must sign it and the employer must affix its official seal before the form is uploaded to the system.

1. Employment contract

The contract must be in Chinese, signed by the applicant and stamped with the employer’s official seal. The procedure states that it must not contain alterations.

1. Visa or valid residence permit

The relevant page should be provided from the applicant’s passport or international travel document. The procedure refers to the visa page, entry-stamp page or residence-permit information page issued by a Chinese embassy or consulate or by the public-security exit-entry authority.

1. Foreigner’s Work Permit (外国人工作许可证)

All four materials are listed as required electronic originals. Uploaded documents should be colour scans of the originals in PDF format, with clear images. The signature/seal sections and dates must be completed by hand, with the writing clearly legible.

How to Apply for a Work Permit Extension

1. Prepare the required documents

Prepare the extension application form, employment contract, visa or valid residence permit information and existing Foreigner’s Work Permit in the required format.

2. Submit the application online

The employer can submit the application through the Foreigner Work Management Service System.

The procedure states that online processing is available and that no on-site visit is required.

3. Wait for review

The application passes through acceptance, initial review, further review and a decision by the responsible authority.

4. Receive the decision

Once the review has been completed, the authority issues the administrative result through the work-permit process.

Processing Time

The official procedure lists:

Statutory time limit: 7 working days
Promised processing time: 7 working days

There is an inconsistency within the procedure page. The individual processing stages are listed as 2 working days for acceptance, 3 working days for initial review, 2 working days for further review and 2 working days for the decision — a total of 9 working days.

The source does not explain how these stage times relate to the stated 7-working-day statutory and promised processing times. Applicants for whom timing is critical can confirm the current position on 0898-65326830.

Fees

No fee is charged for this procedure.

What You Receive After Approval

The procedure page names the result as the Foreigner’s Work Permit Notification (外国人来华工作许可通知).

Applicants who need to confirm exactly what document will be issued following an extension can contact the department on 0898-65326830.

Where and How to Apply

Applications can be submitted through the Foreigner Work Management Service System.

The procedure also lists window processing and express application, and states that delivery services are supported.

Hainan Provincial Government Service Center
海南省人民政府政务服务中心

Approval Office of the Hainan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Window 24, 2nd Floor

Address:
No. 3 Wuzhishan South Road, Meilan District, Haikou, Hainan
海南省海口市美兰区五指山南路3号

Opening hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00-12:00
14:30-17:30
Excluding weekends and statutory holidays

Consultation: 0898-65326830

Supervision/complaints: 0898-12345

Legal Basis

The official procedure cites:

• Article 41 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China.
• Items 93 and 443 of the State Council Decision on Establishing Administrative Licences for Administrative Approval Items That Need to Be Retained (State Council Order No. 412).
• Letter of the State Council Administrative Approval System Reform Office on Soliciting Opinions on Integrating the Two Administrative Licences for Foreign Experts and Foreigners Working in China (审改办函〔2015〕78号).

The procedure page’s explanation of the statutory processing time separately refers to Article 19 of the Interim Measures for the Administration and Service of Work Permits for Foreigners Working in Hainan (《外国人来海南工作许可管理服务暂行办法》).

Official Source

Authority: Hainan Provincial Department of Science and Technology (省科学技术厅)

Procedure: 申请外国人来华工作许可延期

View the official Hainan government procedure