IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Immigration authorities in China will soon begin requiring applicants for work permit renewals to submit their applications between 90 and 30 days before the date when their initial work permit expires.

What does the change mean? Once the change is implemented, applicants for work permit renewals must submit their applications within the 90- to 30-day window. Those who fail to do so will be required to submit a new work permit application. Currently, work permit renewals are accepted up to the date on which work permits expire.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: Work permit renewals.
• Who is affected: Employers and foreign nationals renewing their work permits. BAL has been notified that the change will be implemented in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen and that it is expected to be implemented across the country.
• Impact on processing times: Applicants who miss the filing window will be required to submit a new work permit application, a procedure that is significantly longer (sometimes as long as three to five months) than the work permit renewal process.

BAL Analysis: Employers and foreign nationals should take note of the new filing procedures for work permit renewals. Applicants who miss the 30-day cutoff will be forced to submit a new work permit application, a more complicated and time-consuming process then completing a renewal application.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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