Foreign nationals working in Haikou may need to update their Foreigner’s Work Permit when important personal or employment information changes. The employer must apply within 10 working days of the date the change occurs.

The application is normally submitted by the employer through China’s online service system for foreigners working in China. The Haikou authority reviews the application and, when it is approved, issues a formal administrative decision confirming the change.

This guide explains when a change application may be needed, what documents must be prepared and how the Haikou procedure works.

When should a work permit be changed?

A change application may be required when information recorded in connection with the foreign national’s work permit changes.

Examples given in the Haikou service record include:

• A change to the foreign national’s name or passport number
• A change of position while remaining with the same employer
• A change to the foreign national’s work-permit category

The supporting documents will depend on what is being changed.

A change of duties or title within the same employing organisation, including promotion from a professional position to an administrative position, may be handled through the change procedure. The employer must provide a change-request letter and the relevant supporting evidence.

If the foreign national is taking up a new post or occupation, the existing work permit must be cancelled and a new work-permit application submitted. Moving to a different employer should not be treated as a simple change to the existing permit.

Who submits the application?

The application is handled through the foreign national’s employing organisation.

The Haikou service record lists eligible organisations as:

• Companies and other enterprise legal persons
• Public institutions
• Social organisations

An authorised member of the employer’s staff normally completes the online submission and communicates with the reviewing authority.

Documents required

The Haikou procedure identifies two main document categories.

1. Application form

The employer must complete the Application Form for Change of Foreigner’s Work Permit in China (外国人来华工作许可变更申请表).

The form is completed through the Service System for Foreigners Working in China.

The submitted information should correspond with the foreign national’s passport, existing work permit and employment records.

2. Evidence supporting the requested change

Documents must be provided to demonstrate the information being changed. The precise evidence depends on the circumstances.

• For a new passport or passport-number change, provide the new passport’s information page and visa page.

• For a change of duties or title within the same employer, provide a change-request letter and the relevant supporting evidence.

• For a change to the work-permit category, provide documents supporting the requested category change.

Upload clear colour scans of the original documents in PDF format. Signatures, company seals and handwritten dates must be clearly legible. Documents requiring translation must be uploaded together with their Chinese translations.

Applicants should ensure that names, passport numbers and other personal information are written consistently across every document.

How to apply

Step 1: Prepare the supporting documents

The employer should first identify exactly which information needs to be changed and obtain the corresponding evidence.

The foreign national should also check that the passport, existing work permit and employment information are current and consistent.

Step 2: Complete, sign and seal the application form

The employer signs in to the national online system, selects the work-permit change service and completes the application form.

The completed form must then be printed and signed by the foreign applicant. A photocopied or faxed signature is accepted. The employer must affix its official company seal before scanning the form and uploading it to the system with the supporting documents.

Step 3: Submit the application for review

The application is submitted to the responsible Haikou authority.

The reviewing officer checks whether the application is complete and whether the requested change meets the applicable requirements. If information is missing or unclear, the employer may be asked to correct or supplement the submission.

Step 4: Administrative review

An accepted application proceeds through initial examination, internal review and a final decision.

The employer should monitor the online account during this period in case the authority requests additional information.

Step 5: Receive the decision

When the application is approved, the authority issues a Decision Granting Administrative Licensing (准予行政许可决定书).

The employer should retain the decision and follow any instructions provided through the online system concerning the update or replacement of the physical work-permit card.

Prepare evidence → Complete, sign and seal the form → Upload and submit → Authority reviews the application → Decision issued

Do applicants need to visit the service centre?

The service record states that the procedure can be completed without a compulsory visit to the government service centre.

Applications may be handled online, at the service window or by courier. Delivery of the result by courier is also supported.

Nevertheless, the employer should follow any instructions issued through the application system. A visit may still become necessary if original documents need to be examined or a particular issue cannot be resolved online.

Processing time

The statutory processing limit is seven working days.

Haikou publishes a shorter committed processing time of three working days. The three-day period is the service target for an accepted application; the seven-day figure is the statutory maximum stated for the procedure.

Time spent correcting incomplete information or supplying additional documents may fall outside the normal processing period.

Application fee

No government application fee is listed for changing a Foreigner’s Work Permit through this procedure.

Applicants may still incur private costs for services such as document translation, certification or courier delivery.

Responsible authority

The application is handled by the Haikou Municipal Bureau of Science, Technology and Industrial Information (海口市科学技术和工业信息化局).

Haikou service centre

Applications requiring counter service can be handled at:

Talent and Engineering Construction Comprehensive Service Window
Windows 01–15, Area B, first floor
Haikou Citizens and Visitors Centre Government Service Hall
No. 1 Binhai Park Road, Longhua District, Haikou
海口市龙华区滨海公园路1号海口市民游客中心政务服务大厅1楼B区01–15号人才和工程建设综合服务窗口

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday
08:30–12:00 and 14:00–17:30
Closed on weekends and statutory public holidays

Enquiries: 0898-68720177

Important points before applying

Do not wait until another immigration or employment application is due before correcting inaccurate work-permit information. Differences between a passport, work permit, residence permit and employment records can cause difficulties in later applications.

Employers and foreign employees should also remember that changing a work permit is not the same as extending it. An extension concerns the permit’s validity period, while a change application updates information connected with the existing authorisation.

Where the foreign national’s employer or principal job changes, seek guidance before using the change procedure. Cancellation and a new application may be required instead.

Official service record

The information in this guide is based on the Haikou Government Services record for Application for Change of Foreigner’s Work Permit in China, accessed 2 September 2026.

Requirements and local handling arrangements may change. Employers should check the service record and confirm current requirements with the responsible authority before submitting an application.

If you have questions about changing a Foreigner’s Work Permit or practical experience completing the procedure in Hainan, you are welcome to post below.