Many foreign friends are not clear about the relevant laws and regulations for foreigners to work in China. They blindly trust in the experiences of netizens and personal understanding, which are more subjective ways to take direct action, and this can easily lead to the risk of illegal employment. Below, I will also introduce the content of the "Regulations on the Administration of Employment of Foreigners in China" to understand the necessity of "legal employment."
多外籍朋友是不清楚外籍人士在中国境内就业的相关法律法规，盲目听信网友经验、个人理解等较为主观的方式去直接行动，这极其容易造成非法就业的风险。下面也介绍一下关于《外国人在中国就业管理规定》的内容，了解更多“合法就业”的必要性。
Chapter 1 General Provisions
第一章 总则
Article 1: These regulations are formulated in accordance with relevant laws and regulations to strengthen the management of foreigners' employment in China.
第一条 为加强外国人在中国就业的管理，根据有关法律、法规的规定，制定本规定。
Article 2: The term "foreigner" as referred to in these regulations means those who, according to the provisions of the "Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China," do not possess Chinese nationality. The term "foreigner's employment in China" as referred to in these regulations means the act of foreigners who have not obtained the right of permanent residence legally engaging in social labor within China and obtaining remuneration for their labor.
第二条 本规定所称外国人，指依照《中华人民共和国国籍法》规定不具有中国国籍的人员。本规定所称外国人在中国就业，指没有取得定居权的外国人在中国境内依法从事社会劳动并获取劳动报酬的行为。
Article 3: These regulations apply to foreigners employed within China and the employing units that hire foreigners. These regulations do not apply to personnel at foreign embassies and consulates in China, representatives of the United Nations in China, and other international organizations who enjoy diplomatic privileges and immunities.
第三条 本规定适用于在中国境内就业的外国人和聘用外国人的用人单位。本规定不适用于外国驻华使、领馆和联合国驻华代表机构、其他国际组织中享有外交特权与豁免的人员。
Article 4: The labor administrative departments of the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government and their authorized municipal-level labor administrative departments are responsible for the management of foreigners' employment in China.
第四条 各省、自治区、直辖市人民政府劳动行政部门及其授权的地市级劳动行政部门负责外国人在中国就业的管理。
Chapter 2 Employment Permits
第二章 就业许可
Article 5: Employing units that hire foreigners must apply for an employment permit for the foreigner and may only hire them after being approved and obtaining the "Employment License for Foreigners in the People's Republic of China" (hereinafter referred to as the Employment License).
第五条 用人单位聘用外国人须为该外国人申请就业许可，经获准并取得《中华人民共和国外国人就业许可证书》（以下简称许可证书）后方可聘用。
Article 6: The positions for which employing units hire foreigners should be positions with special needs, for which there are temporarily no suitable domestic candidates, and which do not violate relevant national regulations. Employing units are not allowed to hire foreigners for commercial cultural performances, except for personnel who meet the provisions of Item 3 of Article 9 of these regulations.
第六条 用人单位聘用外国人从事的岗位应是有特殊需要，国内暂缺适当人选，且不违反国家有关规定的岗位。用人单位不得聘用外国人从事营业性文艺演出，但符合本规定第九条第三项规定的人员除外。
Article 7: Foreigners seeking employment in China must meet the following conditions:
第七条 外国人在中国就业须具备下列条件：
(1) Be at least 18 years old and in good health;
（一）年满18周岁，身体健康；
(2) Possess the professional skills necessary for their work and corresponding work experience;
（二）具有从事其工作所必须的专业技能和相应的工作经历；
(3) Have no criminal record;
（三）无犯罪记录；
(4) Have a confirmed employer;
（四）有确定的聘用单位；
(5) Hold a valid passport or other international travel documents that can replace a passport (hereinafter referred to as documents replacing passports).
（五）持有有效护照或能代替护照的其他国际旅行证件（以下简称代替护照的证件）。
Article 8: Foreigners employed in China should enter with a Z visa (for those with visa exemption agreements, follow the agreement), and after entering the country, obtain the "Employment Certificate for Foreigners" (hereinafter referred to as the Employment Certificate) and a residence permit for foreigners before they can be employed within China.
第八条 在中国就业的外国人应持Z字签证入境（有互免签证协议的，按协议办理），入境后取得《外国人就业证》（以下简称就业证）和外国人居留证件，方可在中国境内就业。
Foreigners who have not obtained a residence permit (i.e., those holding F, L, C, or G visas), foreigners studying or interning in China, and accompanying family members of foreigners holding work visas are not allowed to be employed in China. In special circumstances, the employer should apply for a permit according to the approval procedures stipulated in these regulations. The employed foreigner should change their status at the public security organs with the permit and obtain an Employment Certificate and residence permit before they can be employed.
未取得居留证件的外国人（即持F、L、C、G字签证者）、在中国留学、实习的外国人及持职业签证外国人的随行家属不得在中国就业。特殊情况，应由用人单位按本规定规定的审批程序申领许可证书，被聘用的外国人凭许可证书到公安机关改变身份，办理就业证、居留证后方可就业。
Spouses of personnel from foreign embassies and consulates in China and representatives of the United Nations system and other international organizations in China should follow the "Regulations on the Employment of Spouses of Personnel from Foreign Embassies and Consulates in China and Representatives of the United Nations System and Other International Organizations in China" issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, and handle the relevant procedures according to the approval procedures stipulated in the second paragraph of this article.
外国驻中国使、领馆和联合国系统、其他国际组织驻中国代表机构人员的配偶在中国就业，应按《中华人民共和国外交部关于外国驻中国使领馆和联合国系统组织驻中国代表机构人员的配偶在中国任职的规定》执行，并按本条第二款规定的审批程序办理有关手续。
The Employment Certificate and Employment Permit are produced by the Ministry of Labor.
许可证书和就业证由劳动部统一制作。
Article 9: Foreigners who meet one of the following conditions are exempt from employment permits and Employment Certificates:
第九条 凡符合下列条件之一的外国人可免办就业许可和就业证：
(1) Foreign professional and technical personnel and managers directly funded by the Chinese government, or those funded by state organs and institutions, who hold a senior professional title or special skill qualification certificate confirmed by the domestic or international authoritative technical management department or industry association, and hold a "Foreign Expert Certificate" issued by the Bureau of Foreign Experts;
（一）由我国政府直接出资聘请的外籍专业技术和管理人员，或由国家机关和事业单位出资聘请，具有本国或国际权威技术管理部门或行业协会确认的高级技术职称或特殊技能资格证书的外籍专业技术和管理人员，并持有外国专家局签发的《外国专家证》的外国人；
(2) Foreign labor personnel holding a "Work Permit for Foreigners Engaged in Offshore Oil Operations in the People's Republic of China" for offshore oil operations, who do not need to land and have special skills;
（二）持有《外国人在中华人民共和国从事海上石油作业工作准证》从事海上石油作业、不需登陆、有特殊技能的外籍劳务人员；
(3) Foreigners who perform commercial cultural performances with a "Temporary Business Performance Permit" approved by the Ministry of Culture.
（三）经文化部批准持《临时营业演出许可证》进行营业性文艺演出的外国人。
Article 10: Foreigners who meet one of the following conditions may be exempt from obtaining a permit and, upon entry with a Z visa and relevant certificates, directly apply for an Employment Certificate:
第十条 凡符合下列条件之一的外国人可免办许可证书，入境后凭Z字签证及有关证明直接办理就业证：
(1) Foreigners employed in China to work on Sino-foreign cooperative exchange projects under agreements or protocols between the Chinese government and foreign governments, or between international organizations;
（一）按照我国与外国政府间、国际组织间协议、协定，执行中外合作交流项目受聘来中国工作的外国人；
(2) Chief representatives and representatives of foreign enterprises' permanent representative offices in China.
（二）外国企业常驻中国代表机构中的首席代表、代表。
Chapter 3 Application and Approval
第三章 申请与审批
Article 11: Employers hiring foreigners must complete the "Application Form for Employment of Foreigners" (hereinafter referred to as the Application Form), submit it to the industry competent department (hereinafter referred to as the Competent Department) at the same level as the labor administrative department, and provide the following valid documents:
第十一条 用人单位聘用外国人，须填写《聘用外国人就业申请表》（以下简称申请表），向其与劳动行政主管部门同级的行业主管部门（以下简称行业主管部门）提出申请，并提供下列有效文件：
(1) Resume certificate of the foreigner to be employed;
（一）拟聘用外国人履历证明；
(2) Letter of intent to employ;
（二）聘用意向书；
(3) Report on the reasons for employing the foreigner;
（三）拟聘用外国人原因的报告；
(4) Qualification certificate for the foreigner to engage in the relevant work;
（四）拟聘用的外国人从事该项工作的资格证明；
(5) Health certificate of the foreigner to be employed;
（五）拟聘用的外国人健康状况证明；
(6) Other documents stipulated by laws and regulations.
（六）法律、法规规定的其他文件。
The Competent Department shall approve in accordance with the provisions of Article 6, Article 7, and relevant laws and regulations.
行业主管部门应按照本规定第六条、第七条及有关法律、法规的规定进行审批。
Article 12: After approval by the Competent Department, the employer shall take the Application Form to the labor administrative department or its authorized municipal-level labor administrative department in the region where the employer is located to handle the approval procedures. The labor administrative department or the authorized municipal-level labor administrative department of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government shall designate a specific agency (hereinafter referred to as the Issuing Authority) to be responsible for issuing the Employment Permit. The Issuing Authority shall approve based on the opinions of the Competent Department and the demand situation of the labor market, and issue the Employment Permit to the employer after approval.
第十二条 经行业主管部门批准后，用人单位应持申请表到本单位所在地区的省、自治区、直辖市劳动行政部门或其授权的地市级劳动行政部门办理核准手续。省、自治区、直辖市劳动行政部门或授权的地市级劳动行政部门应指定专门机构（以下简称发证机关）具体负责签发许可证书工作。发证机关应根据行业主管部门的意见和劳动力市场的需求状况进行核准，并在核准后向用人单位签发许可证书。
Article 13: Employers at the central level and those without a Competent Department may apply directly to the Issuing Authority of the labor administrative department for employment permits.
第十三条 中央级用人单位、无行业主管部门的用人单位聘用外国人，可直接到劳动行政部门发证机关提出申请和办理就业许可手续。
Foreign-invested enterprises hiring foreigners do not need approval from the Competent Department and may apply for an Employment Permit directly at the Issuing Authority of the labor administrative department with contracts, articles of association, approval certificates, business licenses, and documents stipulated in Article 11 of these regulations.
外商投资企业聘雇外国人，无须行业主管部门审批，可凭合同、章程、批准证书、营业执照和本规定第十一条所规定的文件直接到劳动行政部门发证机关申领许可证书。
Article 14: Foreigners approved to work in China shall apply for a Z visa at Chinese embassies, consulates, or offices abroad with the Employment Permit and a valid passport or other documents that can replace the passport issued by their country.
第十四条 获准来中国工作的外国人，应凭许可证书及本国有效护照或能代替护照的证件，到中国驻外使、领馆、处申请Z字签证。
Persons who meet the provisions of Item 2 of Article 9 shall apply for a Z visa with a notification letter issued by China National Offshore Oil Corporation; those who meet the provisions of Item 3 of Article 9 shall apply for a Z visa with an approval document from the Ministry of Culture.
凡符合第九条第二项规定的人员，应凭中国海洋石油总公司签发的通知函电申请Z字签证；凡符合第九条第三项规定的人员，应凭文化部的批件申请Z字签证。
Persons who meet the provisions of Item 1 of Article 10 shall apply for a Z visa with a cooperative exchange project book; those who meet the provisions of Item 2 of Article 10 shall apply for a Z visa with a registration certificate from the administrative department for industry and commerce.
凡符合本规定第十条第一款规定的人员，应凭合作交流项目书申请Z字签证；凡符合第十条第二项规定的人员，应凭工商行政管理部门的登记证明申请Z字签证。
Article 15: Employers shall, within 15 days after the entry of the employed foreigner, take the Employment Permit, the labor contract signed with the employed foreigner, and their valid passport or other documents that can replace the passport to the original Issuing Authority to handle the Employment Certificate for the foreigner and complete the "Foreigner Employment Registration Form."
第十五条 用人单位应在被聘用的外国人入境后15日内，持许可证书、与被聘用的外国人签订的劳动合同及其有效护照或能代替护照的证件到原发证机关为外国人办理就业证，并填写《外国人就业登记表》。
The Employment Certificate is only valid within the area stipulated by the Issuing Authority.
就业证只在发证机关规定的区域内有效。
Article 16: Foreigners who have obtained an Employment Certificate shall, within 30 days after entry, apply for a residence permit at the public security organs with the Employment Certificate. The validity period of the residence permit may be determined according to the validity period of the Employment Certificate.
第十六条 已办理就业证的外国人，应在入境后30日内，持就业证到公安机关申请办理居留证。居留证件的有效期限可根据就业证的有效期确定。
Chapter 4 Labor Management
第四章 劳动管理
Article 17: Employers and foreigners employed shall enter into labor contracts in accordance with the law. The term of the labor contract shall not exceed five years. The labor contract shall be terminated upon expiration, but it may be renewed after the approval procedures stipulated in Article 18 of these regulations are completed.
第十七条 用人单位与被聘用的外国人应依法订立劳动合同。劳动合同的期限最长不得超过五年。劳动合同期限届满即行终止，但按本规定第十八条的规定履行审批手续后可以续订。
Article 18: When the labor contract between the employed foreigner and the employer expires, the Employment Certificate shall become invalid. If renewal is required, the employer shall apply for an extension of the employment period to the labor administrative department at least 30 days before the expiration of the original contract, and shall obtain approval and handle the extension procedures for the Employment Certificate.
第十八条 被聘用的外国人与用人单位签订的劳动合同期满时，其就业证即行失效。如需续订，该用人单位应在原合同期满前30日内，向劳动行政部门提出延长聘用时间的申请，经批准并办理就业证延期手续。
Article 19: If a foreigner's employment period in China is extended or their employment area or unit is changed after approval, they shall go through the extension or change procedures for the residence permit at the local public security organ within 10 days.
第十九条 外国人被批准延长在中国就业期限或变更就业区域、单位后，应在10日内到当地公安机关办理居留证件延期或变更手续。
Article 20: After the labor contract between the employed foreigner and the employer is terminated, the employer shall promptly report to the labor and public security departments, return the foreigner's Employment Certificate and residence permit, and handle the exit procedures at the public security organ.
第二十条 被聘用的外国人与用人单位的劳动合同被解除后，该用人单位应及时报告劳动、公安部门，交还该外国人的就业证和居留证件，并到公安机关办理出境手续。
Article 21: The wages paid by the employer to the employed foreigner shall not be lower than the local minimum wage standard.
第二十一条 用人单位支付所聘用外国人的工资不得低于当地最低工资标准。
Article 22: The working hours, rest, vacation, labor safety and hygiene, and social insurance for foreigners employed in China shall be implemented in accordance with relevant national regulations.
第二十二条 在中国就业的外国人的工作时间、休息、休假劳动安全卫生以及社会保险按国家有关规定执行。
Article 23: The employer of a foreigner employed in China must be consistent with the unit indicated on their Employment Certificate. If a foreigner changes the employer within the area specified by the issuing authority and still engages in the original profession, approval from the original issuing authority is required, and procedures for changing the Employment Certificate shall be handled. If a foreigner leaves the area specified by the issuing authority for employment or changes the employer and engages in a different profession within the originally specified area, they must go through the employment permit procedures again.
第二十三条 外国人在中国就业的用人单位必须与其就业证所注明的单位相一致。外国人在发证机关规定的区域内变更用人单位但仍从事原职业的，须经原发证机关批准，并办理就业证变更手续。外国人离开发证机关规定的区域就业或在原规定的区域内变更用人单位且从事不同职业的，须重新办理就业许可手续。
Article 24: If a foreigner's residence qualification is revoked by the Chinese public security organs for violating Chinese law, the employer shall terminate the labor contract, and the labor department shall revoke the Employment Certificate.
第二十四条 因违反中国法律被中国公安机关取消居留资格的外国人，用人单位应解除劳动合同，劳动部门应吊销就业证。
Article 25: In the event of labor disputes between the employer and the employed foreigner, they shall be handled in accordance with the Labor Law of the People's Republic of China and the Enterprise Labor Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Law of the People's Republic of China.
第二十五条 用人单位与被聘用的外国人发生劳动争议，应按照《中华人民共和国劳动法》和《中华人民共和国企业劳动争议调解仲裁法》处理。
Article 26: The labor administrative department shall conduct an annual inspection of the Employment Certificate. Employers shall go through the annual inspection procedures for the Employment Certificate for foreigners employed every full year at the issuing authority of the labor administrative department within 30 days before the expiration date. If not handled in time, the Employment Certificate shall become invalid on its own.
第二十六条 劳动行政部门对就业证实行年检。用人单位聘用外国人就业每满1年，应在期满前30日内到劳动行政部门发证机关为被聘用的外国人办理就业证年检手续。逾期未办的，就业证自行失效。
If a foreigner loses or damages their Employment Certificate during their employment in China, they shall immediately go to the original issuing authority to handle the procedures for reporting the loss, reissuance, or replacement.
外国人在中国就业期间遗失或损坏其就业证的，应立即到原发证机关办理挂失、补办或换证手续。
