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Am I qualified for China work permit? I belongs to Category A, B or Category C?

Updated - 5th Feb 2026, The “Foreign Work Permit (FWP)” policy started since 1st April 2017. According to that policy, it divided the foreigner who works in China into 3 categories. Category A (Talent), Category B (Specialty), Category C (Normal). You have to reach at least Category C, then you can successfully obtain the FWP and working residence permit (which are necessary permits to work legally in Shanghai). 

In Feb 2026, the shanghai government further expanded the scope of Category A and B. In following article, VisaInChina will introduce you the most update FWP categories in detail. Beside that, we will also give you a quick way to assess which category you might qualify in different scenario (which covers 90%+ situations).

Quick Way to Assess:

  • If your gross salary is over 74,604RMB/month, focus on A.
  • If your gross salary is over 49,736RMB/month, focus on B2.
  • If you have BA degree + 2 years working experience, focus on B1.
  • If you are an English teacher, focus on B3.
  • If you are fresh graduate of BA, focus on C1 or B4.
  • If you are fresh graduate of MA, focus on B4 or C2.
  • If none of above situations, then focus on B4 or B5.
  • Still not sure? You can ask help from VisaInChina team

2026 Update Criteria of FWP - Category A, B and C：

Category-A:

The most popular Category-A expat is following <High Incoming Earners>:
Gross salary is over 6 times of shanghai average wage in society (In Shanghai, now it's about 74,604RMB/month and paying Incoming tax based on that amount).

And other Class-A criteria, please check following links:
http://www.visainchina.com/work_permit_class_A.htm

Category-B:

B1: You have Bachelor degree and 2 years full time related work experience after graduation.

B2: You are a Technology Worker and Your gross salary is equal or over 4 times of shanghai average wage in society (In Shanghai, it's about 49,736RMB/Month, the government will check your income tax receipt next year).

B3. You are a foreign language teacher (native speaker) in China. You have Bachelor or higher degree and 2 years full time teaching experience (if your major is Education, Language or Teaching or if you have recognized TEFL certificate, then 2 years full time teaching experience can be exempt).

B4. Personal comprehensive quality – score over 60 points, score sheet below:

Item Criteria Points
Annual Salary paid by domestic company (Highest possible score: 20) 450,000 and above 20
350,000 - 449,999 17
250,000 - 349,999 14
150,000 - 249,999 11
70,000 - 149,999 8
50,000 - 69,999 5
Less than 50,000 0
Level of Education or International Professional Qualification Certificate (Highest possible score: 20) Doctor; Highest level International vocational qualification certificate; Senior technician or equivalent 20
Master's; technician or equivalent 15
Bachelor's; Senior Worker or equivalent 10
Related work experience
(Highest possible score: 20)		 One additional point for every year above 2 years Maximum 20
2 years 5
Less than 2 years 0
Annual working time in China will be?
(Highest possible score: 15)
(Unit: Month)		 Above 9 months 15
6 - 9 months 10
3 - 6 months 5
Less than 3 months 0
Level of Chinese
(Highest possible score: 5)		 If you are Chinese before 5
Bachelor's or Higher degree on Chinese study (Major) 5
HSK 5 and above 5
HSK 4 4
HSK 3 3
HSK 2 2
HSK 1 1
Age (Year)
(Highest possible score: 15)		 18 - 25 years old 10
26 - 45 years old 15
46 - 55 years old 10
56 - 60 years old 5
Above 60 years old 0
Globally recognized university or
experience in top 500 company
(Highest possible score: 5)		 Graduated from Globally recognized high level university in the world
(Please check here for the ranking)		 5
Work experience in Fortune Global 500 company 5
You own patent or intellectual property 5
Continuously work in China over 5 years 5

B5. 62 Job positions (In Trail), covering 4 industries of <Integrated Circuit>, <Biomedicine>, <Artificial Intelligence -AI>, <Finance>. which are ugently needed in shanghai.
Or expats holding International Qualifications which is recognized by the Shanghai Government, Check the certificate list here!

Category-C:

C1. Fresh graduate in Shanghai (or a fresh graduate from top 500 overseas university) within 2 years, have a bachelor diploma. Employed by a company registered in Shanghai Free Trade Zone (FTZ) or Zhang Jiang national innovation demonstration zone, Lingang special area or Hongqiao central business district, any of the 5 new towns (Jiading, Qingpu, Songjiang, Fengxian and Nanhui) or to be employed by any company included in shanghai sci-tech innovation occupation list.

C2. Fresh graduate in China (or a fresh graduate from top 500 overseas university) within 2 years, have a Master or higher diploma (scores reach 80/100 or B+/B over average). Employed by a company registered in Shanghai.

C3. French Intern <1000 plan as internship>, German intern <DIHK program> or Singaporean intern in Shanghai company. (Internship less than 6 month).

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