- Foreign workers in Hainan are classified into three categories, Your category determines your document requirements, your qualifying routes, and whether age limits apply to you
- Category A has no age limit and a reduced document burden; Category C has a hard age cap of 65
- The salary thresholds that qualify you for Category A or B are based on a multiple of the Hainan provincial average wage, the guidelines state the multiplier but not the figure in RMB
- Since December 1, 2024, the physical work permit card no longer exists, the e-Social Security Card is now the document
Three categories, different rules
Foreign nationals working in Hainan are divided into three categories under Article 5 of the Interim Measures for the Administration and Services of Work Permits for Foreigners in Hainan: High-Level Foreign Talent (Category A), Foreign Professionals (Category B), and Other Foreign Personnel (Category C).
Differentiated services and management apply to each.
Which category a foreign worker falls into affects which qualifying routes are available, which documents are required, and whether the commitment system, which reduces the upfront documentation burden, applies.
The 2025 Edition of the Guidelines for Foreign Nationals Working in Hainan, issued by the Hainan provincial government, sets out the classification criteria, document requirements, and procedural obligations in full.
Category A — High-Level Foreign Talent
Category A covers foreign nationals who are urgently needed in Hainan for economic and social development: scientists, technology leaders, international entrepreneurs, and other specialised and exceptional talent. There is no age restriction for Category A.
The guidelines identify three primary qualifying routes:
Meeting the standards for high-level talent (Category A) set out in the national Classification Criteria for Foreigners Working in China (Trial). Meeting relevant regulations under the Hainan Provincial Classification Criteria for High-Level Talent. Having an average salary not less than four times the provincial average wage of the previous year.
A fourth route is qualification through the points-based system (计点积分). Applicants qualifying via this route are required to provide their highest degree certificate, professional qualification certificate, Chinese language proficiency certificate (HSK), proof of annual salary in China, and work experience certificate.
On the salary threshold:
The guidelines state the multiplier (four times the provincial average) but do not specify the underlying wage figure in RMB. Based on figures published by the Hainan Bureau of Statistics, the 2024 annual average wage for employees at non-private urban units in Hainan was 117,433 RMB (9,786 RMB per month).
If this is the wage series applied to the work permit salary threshold, consistent with how equivalent thresholds are applied in other major Chinese cities, the Category A salary threshold for the current application cycle would be approximately 469,732 RMB per year, or 39,144 RMB per month.
However, this figure should be verified directly with the Hainan provincial authorities before any employment or contract decisions are made on this basis.
Category B — Foreign Professionals
Category B covers foreign nationals with a bachelor’s degree or a professional qualification certificate who are urgently needed for local economic and social development. There is no age limit for Category B in Hainan.
Four qualifying routes are set out in the guidelines:
Meeting the standards for foreign professionals (Category B) in the national Classification Criteria for Foreigners Working in China (Trial). Being a recent graduate from a well-known domestic or overseas university with a bachelor’s degree or higher, working or starting a business in Hainan.
Being a foreign language teacher teaching the mother tongue of their home country, with a bachelor’s degree or higher and at least one year of language education experience. The one-year experience requirement is waived for those who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in education, language, or teacher training, or who hold a home-country teaching qualification certificate or a recognised international language teaching certificate.
Having an average salary not less than three times the provincial average wage of the previous year.
On the salary threshold:
Applying the same methodology as Category A, the Category B threshold for the current application cycle would be approximately 352,299 RMB per year, or 29,358 RMB per month, subject to the same caveat on the applicable wage series. Verify with provincial authorities.
Category C — Other Foreign Personnel
Category C covers skilled and practical personnel who meet labour market demand and are needed for the construction of Hainan’s free trade zone and free trade port, in accordance with national policy. The age requirement for Category C is under 65 years old. The guidelines do not set out specific qualifying routes for Category C beyond this general description.
Documents required
The guidelines set out seven required documents for all work permit applications, with category-specific variations.
1. Application form:
Completed and printed online, signed by the applicant, stamped with the employer’s official seal, and uploaded to the application system.
2. Work experience certificate:
Issued by the applicant’s previous employer, covering job title, duration, and specific projects. Must bear the employer’s official seal or the signature of a responsible person, with valid contact details for verification. For Category A applicants who are selected for recognised national talent programs or who meet internationally recognised standards of professional achievement, this document may be replaced by a signed commitment (the commitment system). Supporting evidence of professional awards may be submitted alongside.
3. Highest degree certificate and professional qualification certificate:
For degrees obtained overseas, authentication is required either by a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, by the embassy or consulate of the issuing country in China, or by a Chinese academic credential verification authority. For degrees from Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan, certification by a Chinese academic recognition institution or notarisation by a local notary office is required. For degrees obtained in mainland China, the original certificate only is required.
For Category A applicants who are selected for national talent programs, who meet internationally recognised standards of professional achievement, who fill positions encouraged by market-oriented policies, or who qualify as innovative and entrepreneurial talent, the degree certificate is accepted under the commitment system.
On the Apostille Convention:
The guidelines state that as of November 7, 2023, documents from countries party to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents require only an Apostille certificate from the issuing country, consular authentication is no longer needed.
Research found that legal practitioners have noted inconsistency in local implementation since the Convention took effect. Applicants are advised to confirm specific requirements with the Hainan processing office before preparing document authentication.
4. Criminal record certificate:
Issued by police, security, or court authorities of the applicant’s country of nationality or habitual residence, and authenticated by the relevant Chinese or foreign embassy or consulate.
Must be issued within the last six months.
For Category A applicants, the commitment system applies. Sworn self-declarations are not accepted. Non-sworn certificates issued by foreign diplomatic or consular missions in China may be accepted directly without further authentication.
5. Medical examination certificate:
Issued by a Chinese inspection and quarantine authority, or by an overseas medical institution recognised by Chinese inspection and quarantine authorities.
Must be issued within the last six months.
6. Employment contract or letter of appointment:
Must include work location, job responsibilities, salary, duration of employment in China, job title, and a page bearing the official seal or signature. A Chinese-language version must be provided, signed by the applicant and stamped with the employer’s seal.
Alterations are not permitted.
Multinational company assignment letters and letters of appointment have specific requirements detailed in the guidelines.
7. Passport:
Must be valid for no less than six months.
Additional requirements from the guidelines:
All non-Chinese documents must be accompanied by a Chinese translation bearing the employer’s official seal, except passports. All documents and translations are uploaded electronically to the application system.
Applicants who have previously obtained a work permit are not required to resubmit their degree certificate on renewal. If the new position is the same as previously approved, the work experience certificate may also be waived.
A change of nationality requires a new work permit application.
How applications are submitted
Applications are submitted online by the employer through the Management and Service System for Foreigners Working in China, operated by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, at fwp.safea.gov.cn.
The application is processed by the work service window for foreigners in the employer’s administrative region.
From June 3, 2024, login to the system requires the National Human Resources and Social Security Government Service Platform. Previous users registered through the Ministry of Science and Technology’s platform should reset their password before logging in. The platform consultation line for login issues is 86-10-12333-2.
Technical support for the work permit system is at 86-10-84233515.
After approval, the employer receives the Work Permit Notice and the Administrative Permit Decision Letter. The foreign national then downloads the e-Social Security Card app, registers using their name, work permit number, or social security number, completes real-name and biometric verification, and receives the e-Social Security Card embedded with work permit information.
Deadlines and obligations to know
The guidelines set out six procedural obligations that carry specific time limits. Missing them has direct consequences for legal status.
Obtaining the Z-visa:
After the Work Permit Notice is issued online, the foreign national has three months to present it at a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad and obtain a work (Z) visa.
Applying for the residence permit:
After entering China on a Z-visa, the foreign national must apply for a work-type residence permit at the local Exit-Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau within the period specified on the visa. The application is made using either the Work Permit Notice or the e-Social Security Card.
The physical work permit card no longer exists:
Since December 1, 2024, physical work permit cards are no longer issued. The Work Permit Notice and the e-Social Security Card are both recognised certification documents for a foreign national’s work permit.
Changing employers:
The existing work permit must be cancelled before starting with a new employer. After cancellation, the new employer has 30 days to submit a new work permit application. The foreign national’s visa or residence permit must still be valid at the time of the new application.
Renewal:
An extension application must be submitted no later than 30 days before the work permit expires, to the management department for foreigners working in China where the employer is located.
Changes to personal information:
If the foreign national’s name, passport number, or position changes, an amendment application must be submitted within 10 working days of the change.
Employment termination:
When employment ends, the employer must apply to cancel the work permit within 10 working days of termination.
Related article: Official Guidelines for Foreign Nationals Working in Hainan (2025 Edition)
