Understanding China's Work Permit Points System: A Beginner's Guide

Dive into the basics of China’s work permit points system. Learn how points are calculated for foreign workers and use our free calculator to check your eligibility today.

Key Takeaways

China sorts foreign work permits into Class A, B, and C. It uses a points system to bring in top talent and meet market needs.
Your score depends on many things. These include your pay, education, work years, age, Chinese skills, job type, top school or company background, and past work in China.
Usually, you need 86+ points for Class A, 60-85 for Class B, and under 60 for Class C. Some top talent can skip the points system.
You can boost your score. Improve your Chinese, aim for jobs in high-demand sectors, and show off your global skills.
Your employer is key. They must offer a good salary, write a clear job description, and provide the right papers.

Getting to Know China’s Work Permit Points System

China uses a points system for foreign workers. It puts people into three groups: A, B, and C.

The system looks at many factors. These are your pay, education, experience, language skills, and more. The goal is to attract the right talent for the country’s needs.

Class A is for top experts. Class B is for most skilled professionals. Class C is for entry-level or short-term jobs.

You get points for:

Salary from a Chinese employer
Your education level
Years of work experience
Annual work hours
Chinese language skill (like HSK)
Your age
If you went to a top global university or worked for a Fortune 500 company
Patents or inventions you own
Time you’ve already worked in China

Your total points decide your category.

What Classes A, B, and C Really Mean

Class A (High-Level Talent)

Points: 86 and above.
Who it’s for: Global experts, highly paid people, or those in special, needed roles.
Good to know: Some people can get Class A directly, without the points, if they fit national talent plans.

Class B (Professional Talent)

Points: 60 to 85.
Who it’s for: Most foreign professionals with a good education, solid experience, and a fair salary.

Class C (Entry-Level & Limited Roles)

Points: Below 60.
Who it’s for: Short-term jobs, internships, or roles needing less experience. These permits have more limits.

This system helps China manage its foreign workforce fairly and effectively.

How Your Points Are Calculated

Here’s what boosts your score:

Your Salary: A higher pay from a local employer gives you more points.
Education & Qualifications: Advanced degrees or professional certificates help a lot.
Work Experience: More years in your field and full-time work hours add points.
Chinese Language (HSK): Knowing Chinese is a clear plus and helps you at work.
Your Job’s Sector: Jobs in fields the government encourages can get extra points.
Your Age: People in their prime working years often get the most points.
Prestige: Graduating from a top world university or working for a Fortune 500 company gives you a boost.
Innovation & Time in China: Having patents or working in China for over 5 years also adds points.

At a Glance: Work Permit Categories

Category	Points Range	Typical Profile	Common Boosting Factors
Class A	86+	Top leaders, world-known experts	High pay, top degree, Fortune 500 experience, patents
Class B	60-85	Skilled professionals with good experience	Bachelor’s/Master’s, good salary, HSK, in-demand job
Class C	<60	Entry-level, short-term roles	Internships, lower salary, less experience

Real-Life Examples: What’s Your Category?

These examples show how it works. Your exact points depend on local rules.

Example 1: The Senior Engineer (Aiming for Class A)

Profile: Master’s from a top school, 10+ years experience (including at a Fortune 500 firm), high salary, HSK 4, holds a patent.
Likely Category: Class A. High pay, top degree, and strong experience easily put this profile over 86 points.

Example 2: The Marketing Specialist (Comfortably in Class B)

Profile: Bachelor’s degree, 5-7 years experience, good mid-level salary, HSK 3, works for a growing brand.
Likely Category: Class B. This is a classic skilled professional profile. To reach Class A, they could aim for a higher HSK or salary.

Example 3: The Entry-Level Analyst (Starting in Class C)

Profile: Bachelor’s degree, 1-2 years experience, starter salary, HSK 2, in a short-term role.
Likely Category: Class C. With more experience, a better salary, and improved Chinese, they can move up to Class B.

How to Get More Points

For Applicants:

Get a Better Salary: Negotiate a pay that matches local standards for your level. This is a huge factor in the China work visa points calculator.
Boost Your Education: Get an advanced degree or a professional certificate.
Learn Chinese: Passing a higher HSK level adds points and makes life easier.
Show Off Your Achievements: Highlight your degree from a top school, Fortune 500 experience, or any patents.
Aim for the Right Jobs: Target roles in sectors the government supports.

For Employers:

Write Clear Job Descriptions: Make sure the role fits the professional category you’re aiming for.
Offer Competitive Pay: Match the salary to the talent level you want to attract.
Get the Papers Right: Collect and check all documents—degrees, reference letters, HSK certificates, etc.
Use Direct Talent Pathways: For amazing candidates, see if they qualify for a direct Class A permit.

The Application Process & Mistakes to Avoid

The Typical Steps:

Check Your Score: Use the factors as a china visa points calculator to see where you stand before applying.
Employer Starts Process: Your employer in China must register and begin the application.
Gather Documents: Get your degree, work references, contract, HSK certificate, and other papers ready and legalized.
Submit for Review: The local bureau will check your points and documents.
Get Your Visa & Permit: After approval, you get your visa and then your residence permit in China.

Common Pitfalls:

Salary Too Low: A low salary can drop you from Class B to Class C.
Missing Papers: Documents that aren’t legalized or are unclear can get your application rejected. Always check the latest visa china requirements.
Wrong Job Type: A job that doesn’t seem to fit your skills can cause problems.
Skipping Chinese: Not having an HSK certificate means missing out on easy points.

Special Cases: Skip the Points System

Some people don’t need to worry about points. China offers “direct assignment” to Class A for:

People in national talent programs.
Those with world-class achievements.
Innovative entrepreneurs.
Outstanding young talent.

If the job is in a high-priority sector, you might qualify directly. This speeds up the process a lot.

Local Rules & The Real World

The national system is the same everywhere, but local offices can have their own ways of doing things. They might focus on different documents or take more or less time.

Working with an employer who knows the local china visa rules can make everything smoother. No matter where you apply, having perfect documents is your best bet for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the points system still used in 2025?
Yes. The A/B/C system and points are still the main way China manages foreign work permits.

Is salary more important than knowing Chinese?
Salary and education are very important. But Chinese skills are a clear part of the score and can be the deciding factor. For some jobs, it might matter less, but it always helps.

Does Fortune 500 experience really help?
Yes. The system gives extra points for this kind of high-level experience.

What if my score is under 60?
You will likely be in Class C. To move up, get more experience, a higher salary, or improve your HSK.

How do “encouraged posts” work?
Jobs in fields the government is promoting can get special treatment, sometimes even a direct path to a Class A permit.

Is there a precise china work visa calculator?
The government doesn’t provide a public online calculator. The system is a guideline, and the final score is determined by the bureau. Use the factors listed here to estimate your score.

How do I use a china visa days calculator?
This usually refers to calculating your stay duration for a tourist visa, not a work permit. For a work permit, your allowed stay is tied to your employment contract and residence permit, which is typically granted for one year at a time.

Your Action Plan: From Thinking to Doing

Follow these 6 steps:

Audit Your Profile: Check your salary, education, experience, HSK, and other factors. Find your weak spots.
Align with Your Employer: Make sure the job title, duties, and pay match the category you want.
Upgrade Your Credentials: Think about a new certificate or HSK test. Gather proof of your achievements.
Check for Policy Perks: See if your job is in a encouraged sector for a direct path.
Perfect Your Papers: Legalize your degrees, get your references, and ensure all documents are complete.
Manage Your Timeline: Work with HR on a realistic schedule, as processing times can vary.

Conclusion

China’s work permit system is clear and manageable if you know the rules. Understand what gives you points, build a strong profile, and prepare your documents well.

Your next step is simple: Do a quick self-assessment using this guide. Find one thing you can improve—your HSK level, a certificate, or your salary—and work on it. Then, team up with your employer to submit a strong, clean application. Good luck