Scope of Application

Colleges, laboratories, and other units of USTC that intend to invite foreign experts to work at the University on a long-term basis may apply for a Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit for the invited foreign expert. The notification letter can be used to apply for a Z visa (work visa) at a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad.

Note: Following the implementation of the new foreigner work permit system, Category A foreign talents, including postdoctoral researchers, associate researchers, and other high-level talents at USTC, may enter China with an F visa and apply for a work permit after entry Domestic Work Permit Application (Currently in China) : USTC – Office of International Cooperation.

In addition, USTC’s Human Resources Department requires employees to sign their employment contracts in person at the University. Therefore, only certain special cases require the applicant to obtain a Z visa before entering China.

Application Process

1. Complete the Online Application

Please log in to the Foreign Affairs Management Service System:

abroad.ustc.edu.cn → Foreign Affairs Services （“外专业务”）→ Application for Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit in China from Abroad （ “境外申请外国人来华工作许可通知”）

Complete the required information online.

Important: Please make sure to select the correct Chinese embassy or consulate in the application system. The Z visa can subsequently be applied for only at the embassy or consulate selected in the system.

The following documents must be uploaded:

(1) Proof of Work Experience

A certificate issued by the applicant’s previous employer.

For documents issued in a foreign language, a Chinese translation must also be provided and stamped by the applicant’s USTC college or department.

(2) Highest Degree / Diploma Certificate

Certificates obtained in China may be submitted directly.

For degrees or diplomas obtained outside China:

• Category A applicants: Submit the highest degree certificate. If the certificate is in a foreign language, a Chinese translation stamped by the applicant’s USTC college or department must also be provided.
• Non-Category A applicants: The highest degree certificate must be apostilled or authenticated through consular legalization, and translated into Chinese by a professional translation agency.
  • If an International Education Credential Evaluation Certificate issued by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) is provided, the apostille/legalization and translation requirements may be waived.

(3) Certificate of No Criminal Record

Category A applicants may sign a No Criminal Record Commitment and are exempt from submitting a separate certificate of no criminal record.

For other applicants, the certificate of no criminal record must be issued by an official authority in the applicant’s country of nationality or country of long-term residence.

A foreign-language certificate must be apostilled or authenticated through consular legalization and translated into Chinese by a professional translation agency.

The certificate must have been issued within the past six months.

(4) Physical Examination Certificate

A physical examination certificate issued by a Chinese inspection and quarantine authority, or by an overseas medical institution recognized by a Chinese inspection and quarantine authority.

The certificate must have been issued within the past six months.

(5) Employment Contract

Please upload a complete scanned copy of the employment contract in Chinese.

The contract should contain all required information, including:

• Place of employment
• Job responsibilities
• Salary
• Period of employment in China
• Position
• Signature/stamp page

(6) Passport Information Page

A clear copy of the passport information page.

(7) Recent Photograph

An electronic photograph taken within the past six months, showing the applicant facing forward without a hat against a white background.

2. Submit the Application for Review

After uploading all required documents, please submit the application through the system to the Office of International Cooperation (OIC) for review.

Once the application has passed the review, the application form will be provided to the applicant. Please check the information carefully, sign the form, and upload the signed scanned copy to the system.

3. Provincial Online Review

The application will then be submitted online to the Anhui Provincial Department of Science and Technology for review.

After approval, the Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit will be issued. The applicant can download the notification letter through the System abroad.ustc.edu.cn.

4. Electronic Social Security Card

The physical foreigner work permit card has currently been discontinued, and its functions have been incorporated into the electronic social security card.

The electronic social security card is not mandatory, but it can be used to check social security information.

For the official bilingual user guide, please refer to:

Official Chinese-English User Guide for the Electronic Social Security Card

5. Apply for a Residence Permit After Arrival

After arriving at USTC, please collect the required materials and apply for a residence permit.

Once the residence permit has been issued, please upload a copy of the residence permit to the Foreign Affairs Management Service System to complete the application process.