China has introduced the "Join in Card," an innovative integration of work permits and social security cards for foreigners residing in the country. This initiative streamlines access to 264 public services, spanning government affairs, healthcare, transportation, finance, and tourism, without requiring individuals to carry their passports or multiple certificates.

Effective December 1, 2024, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security will implement this system nationwide, marking a significant shift toward providing more convenient and efficient services for expatriates. According to Shen Zhenning, deputy director of the ministry's foreign experts service department, the card represents a major step forward in enhancing the living and working experience for foreigners in China.

自2024年12月1日起，人力资源和社会保障部将在全国范围内实施这一系统，标志着向为外籍人士提供更便捷、更高效服务的重大转变。据该部外国专家服务司副司长沈振宁表示，这张卡是提高在中国外国人生活和工作体验的重要一步。

The pilot program in Zhejiang province has already rolled out the all-in-one card, available in both physical and digital formats. Users can leverage the card for a range of activities, such as commuting across 336 cities, visiting cultural and tourism venues in the Yangtze River Delta region, and accessing healthcare services at thousands of facilities in 41 cities.

浙江省的试点项目已经推出了这种一体化卡，提供实体卡和数字卡两种形式。用户可以利用这张卡进行一系列活动，如在336个城市间通勤、访问长江三角洲地区的文化和旅游景点，以及在41个城市的数千个设施中获得医疗服务。

Previously, foreign workers faced a cumbersome process involving multiple visits to different departments and repeated documentation submissions, often taking a month to complete. Now, applicants can complete the process online in a single application, with the card delivered to their homes within 10 days, along with an electronic version.Expatriates have expressed enthusiasm for the new system. Stephen Fox, an American who has lived in Jiaxing for 13 years, highlighted how the card eliminates barriers in daily life, such as hospital registrations, pharmacy purchases, and cultural outings. He noted that the card aligns his experience with that of local residents, making it easier to access services for himself and his family.

以前，外国工作人员面临着繁琐的流程，需要多次访问不同的部门并重复提交文件，通常需要一个月的时间来完成。现在，申请人可以在线一次性完成流程，卡片将在10天内送到他们的家中，同时还有电子版本。外籍人士对新系统表示热情。在美国生活了13年的美国人斯蒂芬·福克斯强调，这张卡消除了日常生活中的障碍，如医院登记、药店购买和文化活动。他指出，这张卡使他的经历与当地居民一致，使他和他的家人更容易获得服务。

Serbian soccer coach Jovanovic Milos shared another benefit, emphasizing the elimination of transaction fees when using the card for payments—a stark improvement from his previous reliance on foreign bank cards.

塞尔维亚足球教练米洛斯·维塞利诺维奇分享了另一个好处，强调使用这张卡进行支付时取消了交易费用——这与他之前依赖外国银行卡的情况相比是一个显著的改进。

Yang Kejian, director of the Jiaxing Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, revealed that the card integrates over 10 elements of personal data, including identity verification, work permits, social security, and bank details. This consolidation, combined with streamlined application processes, has reduced documentation requirements by 35 percent.

嘉兴市人力资源和社会保障局局长杨克建透露，这张卡整合了超过10个个人数据元素，包括身份验证、工作许可、社会保障和银行详细信息。这种整合，加上简化的申请流程，已经将文件要求减少了35%。

Zhejiang, home to 67,000 foreign permanent residents and 22,300 valid work permit holders as of October, was selected as a pilot region for this initiative. The card has been lauded for fostering a welcoming environment for expatriates, enhancing the business landscape, and supporting China’s broader commitment to openness and global collaboration.

截至10月，浙江有67,000名外国永久居民和22,300名有效工作许可证持有者，被选为这一举措的试点地区。这张卡因其为外籍人士营造了欢迎的环境、增强了商业环境以及支持中国对开放和全球合作的更广泛承诺而受到赞誉。

Yu Jianxing, Party secretary of Zhejiang Gongshang University, underscored the card's role in aligning services for foreigners with those available to locals, further integrating expatriates into Chinese society.

浙江工商大学党委书记郁建兴强调了这张卡在使外国人服务与当地人服务对齐方面的作用，进一步将外籍人士融入中国社会。