I. Objectives

The Notice shall be observed and implemented for the following objectives:

- to implement the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, integrate the administrative and service resources for foreign talents in China, refine the regulatory system, optimize agencies and functions and establish a unified, authoritative, and effective administrative system for foreign talents

- to deepen the reform of streamlining administration, delegating power and improving regulation and services, accelerate the transformation of governmental functions, rigorously comply with the requirements for standardized administrative licensing, comprehensively regulate administrative licensing, and scientifically carry out classified management

- to facilitate the development of the Internet plus governmental services, enhance the sharing of government information resources, use Big Data to improve regulatory efficiency, innovate in-process and ex post regulation, and establish a convenient and efficient social credit system for foreign workers in China

- to set up a work administrative system for foreigners characterized by scientific management, interconnection and sharing, coordinated supervision and public participation, and an administrative system for foreign workers in China featuring standardized management and rigorous approval in an attempt to supplement the domestic employment market and enhance scientific and standardized service management boasting information technology application and international competitiveness.

II. Main Tasks

1. To comprehensively implement the work permit system for foreigners in China: Manage the foreigners working in China under an unified system, reduce application materials, optimize approval procedures, regulate application standards; improve the efficient and rational classification standards for foreign workers in China which scientifically reflect the market demand (see the attachment), open up green channels for employment, innovation and entrepreneurship of high-end foreign talents in China and raise the level of service and support.

2. To improve the regulations and systems for foreign workers in China: Strengthen the top-level planning, speed up the enactment of the Regulations on Administration of Foreign Workers in China and implementation rules for talent visa affairs, establish the guidance catalog for foreign workers in China, market testing for foreign talents, foreigner-employer credit management system and other systems and improve classification standards and licensing service guide. Comply with the requirements of the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on Relevant Matters concerning the Streamlining of Administrative Regulations and Documents (Guo Ban Han [2016] No.12) to streamline departmental rules and regulations and normative documents involving the reform of the administrative licensing system and repeal the policy documents unfit for the work permit system for foreign workers in China. The local governments and relevant departments shall not promulgate polices and measures that may be against the reform.

3. To innovate the application of the Internet plus government services: Develop a unified, standardized, and multiple-level technology and service system of "Internet plus government service", and establish a model characterized by "comprehensive acceptance in front end, classified review and approval in back end, unified issuance of certificates and permits. The authorities for foreign experts affairs, human resources and social security, foreign affairs, and public security shall strengthen information sharing, back-end certification and business collaboration, integrate and share public service resources to provide standardized, precise, convenient, platform-based and collaborative government services.

4. To tighten in-process and ex post regulation: Improve the work mechanism of random inspection by randomly selected law enforcement officers and inspectors and prompt release of inspection results, strengthen the construction of governmental affairs credit, business credit, and individual credit system for foreign workers in China, establish the mechanism for the creation, compilation, public notification, and utilization of the credit records of employers, foreign workers in China and entrusted professional agencies, use Big Data to regulate the services provided for market players and optimize credit incentive and dishonesty penalty mechanism.

III. Implementation

Starting April 1, 2017, the work permit system for foreign workers in China shall be implemented and the Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit of the People's Republic of China (the "Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit") and the Foreigner's Work Permit of the People's Republic of China (the "Foreigner's Work Permit") under the joint regulation of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs shall be issued across the country. Foreign workers in China shall complete relevant visa and residence formalities on the strength of the Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit and the Foreigner's Work Permit. Existing work permits for foreign experts working in China, foreigner's employment licenses and relevant certificates will continue to be valid during the validity period.

IV. Supporting measures

Local governments and departments concerned shall, from the overall arrangement and strategic perspective, follow the consistent understanding and foster close-knit collaboration to strengthen coordination and implementation of systems, constantly improve the supply of government services and deliver most benefits for enterprises and maximal convenience for the people. Also they shall voluntarily publish authoritative information, respond to social concerns, guide social expectation, enable employers in all walks of life to be acquainted with new policies and new systems in a timely manner and thus create a favorable public opinion atmosphere for the implementation of the work permit system for foreigners in China.