1. Cancellation of the Work Permit for Foreigners

Automatic Cancellation upon Expiration

A work permit for foreigners will be automatically cancelled upon expiration.

If the work permit needs to be cancelled due to the early termination of an employment contract, relevant supporting documentation must be provided, such as a Postdoctoral Withdrawal Form or a Certificate of Employment Contract Termination.

Additional requirement from June 8, 2026:
A copy of the currently valid residence permit page must also be submitted.

Cancellation Procedures

The foreign expert’s employment termination procedures involving foreign personnel management shall be completed at Room 304, Office of International Cooperation.

The foreign expert is required to:

• Sign the Application Form for Cancellation of Foreigner’s Work Permit; and
• Provide the relevant documentation confirming the termination of employment.

If one month or less remains on the validity period of the work permit, cancellation may be waived depending on the circumstances.

If the foreign expert is temporarily unable to provide the employment termination certificate or sign the application form, the designated responsible person at USTC must additionally sign the Letter of Commitment for the Cancellation of the Work Permit for Foreign Personnel (From Chinese Page https://oic.ustc.edu.cn/foreign_expert/resign/).

The responsible person must then ensure that the foreign expert submits the missing employment termination certificate and cancellation application form within three working days after completing the departure procedures.

Processing Time

The cancellation of the work permit is reviewed by the Anhui Provincial Department of Science and Technology and generally takes approximately five working days.

If a Work Permit Cancellation Certificate is required, please inform the Office of International Cooperation, which will apply for the certificate with the Anhui Provincial Department of Science and Technology.

2. Cancellation of the Residence Permit

When Is Residence Permit Cancellation Required?

If more than 60 days remain on the validity period of the residence permit, the foreign expert must complete residence permit cancellation procedures.

Following the cancellation of the work permit, the foreign expert must, within two months, either:

1. Cancel the residence permit; or
2. Have the residence permit replaced/transferred at the new employer.

This requirement applies to both:

• the foreign expert’s work-related residence permit; and
• any accompanying family members’ family reunion residence permits.

Responsibilities of the USTC Responsible Person

When completing departure procedures, if more than 60 days remain on the residence permit, the designated responsible person at USTC must sign the Letter of Commitment for the Cancellation of the Residence Permit for Foreign Personnel (From Chinese Page https://oic.ustc.edu.cn/foreign_expert/resign/).

The responsible person must ensure that the foreign expert completes either the cancellation of the residence permit or its replacement at the new employer within two months after the work permit is cancelled.

Please prioritize cancellation of the residence permit.
Some local Exit-Entry Administration authorities do not accept direct replacement of a residence permit at a new employer.

After completing the relevant procedure, the foreign expert must provide the corresponding residence permit page bearing the cancellation stamp. If the foreign expert chooses to replace the residence permit at the new employer, the original residence permit will also be stamped as cancelled.

Failure to Complete the Procedure on Time

If the residence permit cannot be cancelled or replaced within the required period, an explanation must be provided.

If the residence permit is not cancelled without a valid reason, USTC may choose to submit an online cancellation application.

In such circumstances:

• If the foreign national does not hold another valid visa or residence permit, they will be regarded as illegally residing in China.
• If the online cancellation application is submitted while the foreign national is outside China, the cancelled residence permit cannot be used to re-enter China.
• When entering China again with other travel or immigration documents, the foreign national may be required to undergo an interview with border inspection authorities.

3. Documents Required for Cancellation of a Work-Related Residence Permit

To cancel a work-related residence permit, the foreign expert must bring the following documents to the relevant Exit-Entry Administration authority (The documents 1 to 3 will be issued by the Office of International Cooperation.):

• Work Permit Cancellation Certificate, Proof that the work permit has been cancelled;
• Residence Permit Cancellation Letter issued by USTC, also stating the application for a stay permit;
• Copy of the Legal Person of Institution of USTC; and
• Accommodation Registration Form, for applying for a stay permit of up to 30 days.

4. Cancellation of Family Reunion Residence Permits

The cancellation of an accompanying family member’s family reunion residence permit may be completed at the same time as or before the cancellation of the foreign expert’s residence permit.

However, it must not be completed after the foreign expert’s residence permit cancellation.

The following documents are required: (The documents 1 to 3 will be issued by the Office of International Cooperation.):

• Residence Permit Cancellation Letter issued by USTC, also stating the application for a stay permit;
• Copy of the Legal Person of Institution of USTC; and
• Accommodation Registration Form, for applying for a stay permit of up to 30 days.