Hainan classifies all foreign workers into three categories — A, B, and C — and which one you fall into determines everything: your qualifying routes, your document requirements, and whether age limits apply to you.

Category A (High-Level Foreign Talent) has no age cap and a lighter document burden.

Category B (Foreign Professionals) requires a bachelor's degree and is capped at under 60.

Category C covers skilled workers needed for FTP construction, also capped at 60. There's also a critical practical update most people miss: since December 1, 2024, the physical work permit card no longer exists, the e-Social Security Card is now the document.

Miss a deadline, change employers without cancelling first, or let your passport drop below six months validity and you're in trouble.

Full breakdown with all document requirements and deadlines here: https://www.tropicalhainan.com/hainans-work-permit-categories-explained-a-b-and-c/

Which category are you in, and did the classification process go smoothly or throw up surprises? Particularly interested in whether anyone has tested the Apostille route for document authentication since November 2023.