Editor’s Note
This is CDB’s translation of a news report that appeared in the 境外非政府组织在中国 Wechat account, which belongs to the Ministry of Public Security’s Overseas NGO Management Office. You can find the original here.
“Notice on handling the work permits for foreign employees in ONGOs and related issues” jointly issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security.
Recently, the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security jointly distributed a notice on the work permits for foreign employees in ONGOs to provincial-level units. The notice clearly points out the requirements for issuing work permits for foreigners employed by ONGOs that have legally opened representative offices or filed for temporary activities.
The Notice requires that the work permits for foreign employees in ONGOs’ representative office should be applied for in accordance with the following:
- Regarding chief representatives who meet “foreign top talent” standards, they can apply for a visa online by presenting the application documents, including the chief representative office certificate of the ONGO, a physical examination certificate and the application form. The approval shall be valid for no longer than five years. The chief representatives who hold recommendations from provincial-level (or above) public security organs can be identified as “foreign top talent”, and apply for a visa in accordance with the above regulations.
- With the chief representative certificate of the ONGO, a physical examination certificate and an application form, applicants can apply online. Those who meet “foreign top talent” standards can enjoy a streamlined application process after providing the corresponding documents. Limitations of age, education and work experience can be relaxed in the case of organizations who are identified by provincial-level (or above) public security organs as having a need, and have obtained the ONGO representative office certificate.
- Other foreign employees for ONGOs should apply for visas in accordance with the Classification Standard for Foreigners Working in China and the Guide of Work Permit Applications for Foreigners.
The work permit for foreign employees in overseas organizations conducting temporary activities should be applied for in accordance with the following:
- Those in charge of temporary activities and other important members of staff can apply for work permits by providing the receipt form for the temporary activity. The approval period shall be no longer than the period of the temporary activity.
- Foreigners who apply for a work permit for no more than 90 days (including 90 days) shall apply online by providing the receipt form for the temporary activity. Those that meet “foreign top talent” standards can apply for a foreign talent invitation letter online by providing the receipt form for the temporary activity and other supporting material, and the accompanying staff can fill out application forms.
- Foreigners who apply for a work permit for more than 90 days, but no more than 1 year (including 1 year), shall apply online by providing the receipt form for the temporary activity, an employment contract or certificate of employment, and a physical examination certificate. For the work qualification certificate, letter of good conduct and the certificate of the highest degree achieved, the commitment system is used.
The notice also requires that administrative departments that deal with foreign workers and public security organs should strengthen their coordination, in order to improve service management and strengthen the information exchange of all relevant units. Representatives or other staff of ONGOs who make outstanding contributions to China’s welfare development, can be approved by the relevant government departments to participate in the selection of the “Friendship Award”, and other national or local awards.
