1. What is the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts for Short-term Stay in China?

Answer: According to the spirits of the Notice on the Issues Related to the Administration of Foreign Experts issued by the General Office of the State Council in 1996, the foreign experts employed to work in China under the provisions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on introducing foreign talents and strengthening the administration of foreign experts, all the permits, licenses and certificates may be waived.

Where a foreign expert stays in China for not more than 90 days, such stay shall be deemed as visit, exchange or observation, and the Chinese visa agency in the foreign country shall issue F visa for the foreign expert to stay in China for not more than 90 days on the basis of the letter of invitation (see the Annex for the sample) issued by the competent department of foreign experts affairs at or above the level of a districted city.

 

 

2. What are the conditions for applying for the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts for Short-term Stay in China?

Answer: (I) Having the status of a legal person and the ability to employ foreign experts. 

 (II) Having clear tasks to work in China.

 (III) Having a detailed schedule in China.

 (IV) Having sufficient fees to ensure that foreign experts come to China.

 (V) In accordance with the requirements for Foreign High-end Talents (Category A) or the Notice on Further Improving Relevant Handling Procedures for the Short-Term Stay of Foreign Experts in China (WZF [2015] No. 176).

 

3. What are the procedures for handling the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts for Short-term Stay in China?

Answer: (I) The employer of the foreign expert shall submit an application in the Service System for Foreigners Working in China.

 (II) The handling authority shall receive the application of the employer and inform the reception result within 5 working days (the date on which the documents are submitted shall not be counted).

 (III) Upon reception online, the decision-making authority shall, within 5 working days from the date of reception, conduct an examination and make a decision, and no paper documents shall be submitted for verification no longer.

 (IV) Those foreign experts approved by the handling authority will be issued with the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts for Short-term Stay in China.

 (V) Foreign experts shall apply for an F visa within 90 days to the visa authority with the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts for Short-term Stay in China and relevant documents.

 (VI) The handling authority has the right to refuse the application of the employer with a reason.

 

 

4. What are the materials required for applying for the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts for Short-term Stay in China?

 

Answer: (I) The Application Form of the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts for Short-term Stay in China (which specifies the applicant’s basic information, the reason for coming to China, the length of stay in China, the specific cost arrangement, and the employer’s commitment to the authenticity of the invitation and the guarantee of the payment of fees in China) shall be stamped with an official seal of the employer.

 (II) The Application Form for the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts for Short-term Stay in China shall be stamped with an official seal of the employer.

 (III) Foreign expert’s passport or the international travel certificate.

 (IV) A copy of the short-term employment contract or dispatch (invitation) letter shall be affixed with an official seal of the employer and signed by the legal person or the person in charge of the Foreign Affairs Department.

 (V) Other credentials that the issuing authority deems necessary (e.g. those who conform to Foreign High-end Talents (Category A) shall submit the relevant certificate).

 

6. What are the notes about applying for the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts for Short-term Stay in China?

Answer: (I) The applicant with the Invitation Letter for Foreign Experts in China who applies for F visa have no need to apply for a work-type residence permit after entering China.

 (II) For pre-approval by the industry competent authority by law or those who are qualified for relevant accessible occupations, an approval document of the industry competent authority or a certificate of work qualification shall be provided.

 (III) All paper versions of original documents and the translated versions must be electronically uploaded to the Service System for Foreigners Working in China.

 (IV) All original paper materials and Chinese translations shall be uploaded with the original color attachment information.

 (V) No paper documents shall be submitted for verification.