Notice of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on the Integration of Foreigner Work Permit and Social Security Card
Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security [2024] No. 75
The human resources and social security departments (bureaus) of each province, autonomous region, municipality directly under the central government, and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, as well as the departments responsible for the centralized management of foreign expert work:
In order to implement the decision and deployment of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on improving the convenience of foreigners working in China, it is decided through research that from December 1, 2024, foreigners’ work permits and social security cards (hereinafter referred to as social security cards) will be integrated (hereinafter referred to as card integration), and foreigners’ work permits to China (hereinafter referred to as work permits) information will be loaded into the social security card, relying on physical social security cards and electronic social security cards to facilitate foreigners’ work and life in China. The relevant work notice is as follows:
1、 Optimize work procedures
（1） Apply for a work permit
The application, extension, change and cancellation of work permit shall be handled online in the Foreigner Work Management Service System (hereinafter referred to as the Work System in China). Foreigners do not need to apply for physical work permit after entering China. For those who have obtained the physical foreigner work permit, the principle of “no change” shall be followed, and the new procedure of card integration shall be followed when the existing work permit application is extended or changed.
（2） Apply for a work visa
Foreigners shall apply for the Z visa for work in China with the Notice of Foreigner’s Work Permit.
（3） Obtain electronic social security card
After entering the country, foreigners can download the electronic social security card APP through their mobile phones, register and log in with their names, work permit numbers or social security numbers, and obtain the electronic social security card loaded with work permit information after verification by their real names and real persons. After foreigners apply for physical social security cards, electronic social security cards provide foreigners with standard services.
（4） Apply for a residence permit
After foreigners enter the country with Z visa, they can go to the exit and entry department of the public security in the workplace with the Notice of Foreigner’s Work Permit or the electronic social security card loaded with work permit information to apply for relevant residence certificates. The relevant departments can directly verify through the information system, or query and obtain the work permit information of foreigners by checking the electronic social security card, scanning the two-dimensional code of work permit, etc.
2、 Provide convenient services
（1） Participate in social insurance
Foreigners’ employers or foreigners themselves can apply for insurance registration for foreigners through the social security online service hall or the social security agency with the Foreigner Work Permit Notice or the electronic social security card. The social security agency shall verify the foreigners’ work permit information through the work system in China, establish social security numbers for foreigners who meet the insurance conditions, and the social security card management service department shall issue them with physical social security cards.
（2） Work permit related services
Relying on electronic social security cards to achieve service functions such as work permit information inquiry and download, QR code verification, and relevant message notifications.
（3） Enjoy the “One Card” service
Human resources and social security departments in various regions provide foreigners with human resources and social security services such as business information inquiry, treatment and subsidy collection through physical social security cards and electronic social security cards, and expand to more “all-in-one card” services in areas where conditions permit.
3、 Strengthen organizational implementation
（1） Effective measures should be taken in various regions to conscientiously implement the requirements for the integration of certificates and cards. We should continue to expand the application scenarios of social security cards, support foreigners to enjoy more “all-in-one card” services, and provide convenience for foreigners to work and live in China.
（2） All regions should make every effort to prepare for the integration of certificate and card application technology. After the release of relevant interface specifications by our department, we will promptly carry out business information system and equipment terminal transformation according to the requirements of the specifications, connect with our department’s work system in China, and verify work permit information.
（3） All localities should carry out business training in a timely manner to ensure that staff are familiar with business processes and norms, while doing a good job in policy support and implementation interpretation, responding to social concerns in a timely manner, gradually expanding social awareness, and putting into place the facilitation services provided by foreigners through card integration.
Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security October 27, 2024