Who Does This Apply To?

The long-term foreign expert recruitment and management procedure applies to the following situations:

	Applicable Situation
01	Foreign experts employed under a contract signed with the Human Resources Department.
02	Foreign experts visiting USTC for more than 180 days under an approved project who are not eligible for the 90 + 90-day F visa arrangement.
03	Other circumstances requiring long-term employment. Please consult the Office of International Cooperation (OIC) for further assessment and guidance.

Note: An F visa allows a stay of up to 90 days and can generally be extended only once for the same duration.

Recruitment & Management Process

01 — Sign an Employment Contract

Foreign experts employed by USTC must sign an appropriate employment contract or agreement before proceeding with the relevant work permit procedures.

Human Resources Department

For personnel directly employed by the Human Resources Department:

Professors / Researchers
Wang Yi · 86-551-63602545

International Postdoctoral Researchers / Specially Appointed Associate Professors or Researchers
Cao Xingru · 86-551-63600154

International Visiting Professors

International visiting professors who need to apply for a Work Permit and Residence Permit must sign an agreement with the school or department of their host inviter.

The OIC will apply the university seal to the agreement.

Template from https://if.oic.ustc.edu.cn/index.php?c=content&a=show&id=340

Contact:
Fan Liangchen · 86-551-63603207  fanliangchen@ustc.edu.cn

Other Employment Arrangements

For employment contracts or agreements signed under other arrangements:

• The document must be signed by a mid-level or higher-level leader of the host school/department.
• The host school/department shall apply for the university seal independently.
• If the employment is arranged directly by the school/department and only the school/department seal can be provided, please contact Fan Liangchen first.

02 — Apply for a Work Permit

The host school/department is responsible for assisting the foreign expert with the application for a Foreigner’s Work Permit in China.

The host school/department should coordinate with the relevant administrative offices and prepare the required application materials.

03 — Apply for an Entry Visa

The host school/department should begin the foreign expert’s entry procedures at least three months in advance.

Visa Options

Visa	Type	Applicable Situation
F	Visit Visa	For foreign experts coming to USTC for 90 days or less for short-term academic exchanges, visits, or discussions of potential cooperation.
R	Talent Visa	For foreign high-level professionals who meet China’s requirements for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A).
Z	Work Visa	For foreign experts coming to USTC for more than 90 days to give lectures, teach courses, conduct academic activities, or carry out collaborative research.

Category A foreign experts: Under China’s current foreign work permit system, eligible Category A foreign experts may enter China with an F visa and apply for a Work Permit after entry, without applying for a Z visa.

04 — Complete Procedures After Entry

Once the foreign expert has entered China, the following procedures should be completed as applicable.

🏠 Accommodation Registration

Foreign experts who do not stay in a hotel—including those staying in university apartments or privately rented accommodation—must complete accommodation registration within 24 hours of moving in.

Registration can be completed at:

USTC Foreign Affairs Service Station
or
Wuhu Road Police Station

🪪 Residence Permit

The host school/department is responsible for assisting the foreign expert with the application for a Residence Permit.

🔄 Work Permit Extension / Cancellation

Where applicable, the host school/department is responsible for assisting the foreign expert with procedures such as:

• Work Permit extension
• Work Permit cancellation
• Other related procedures

Quick Reference

① Contract
Sign the appropriate employment contract or agreement.

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② Work Permit
Host school/department assists with the Work Permit application.

↓

③ Entry Visa
Begin entry procedures at least 3 months in advance and apply for the appropriate visa.

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④ After Entry
Complete accommodation registration, Residence Permit application, and Work Permit extension/cancellation procedures as applicable.

Key Contacts

Office of International Cooperation and Exchange

Fan Liangchen
86-551-63603207   fanliangchen@ustc.edu.cn