In Chinese employment law, a foreigner’s work permit is required for any foreign workers who are working in China for more than three months, including if they are paid outside China or have been temporarily dispatched by an employer outside China. Foreigners are eligible if they have necessary technical or management skills that are otherwise lacking in China.  A foreigner’s work permit is generally valid for one year, but there are two-year and five-year talent visas available.

An employer may only hire a foreigner who has obtained both a work permit and a residence permit, thus these are usually obtained together. A work permit is tied to a particular employer, so a foreigner that changes employers must obtain a new work permit.

Learn more  at CBL’s China employment & labor law FAQ here.