FAQs On China’s Work Permit Point System (2026)

A comprehensive 2026 guide to FAQs on China’s Work Permit Point System: scores, A/B/C categories, examples, HSK points, salary benchmarks, age tiers, regional incentives, and the shift to digital work permits. Includes practical scenarios, compliance tips, and strategy

Key Takeaways: Your 2026 China Work Permit Guide

Let’s break down China’s work permit system. It can seem complex, but it’s really about your score. Your points decide your category: A, B, or C.

The Point System: You are ranked A (top talent), B (standard professional), or C (entry-level/temp) based on your education, age, salary, experience, Chinese skills, and work location.
Everything is Digital Now: Good news! Physical permits are mostly gone. Your work permit info is now part of your social security record. This makes online applications and renewals much smoother.
Aim for Category B: Most people target Category B. Simple boosts—like learning some Chinese, earning a higher salary, or working in a high-demand area—can push a weak application into the “approved” zone.
Consistency is Key for 2026: Make sure your job title, contract duties, and social security records all tell the same story. This cuts your audit risk and speeds things up.
Plan Your Score: Use the points as a tool. Test different scenarios. Find ways to add points before you apply for a better result. You can even use a china work visa points calculator to see where you stand.

Want to see how the points add up? Check out this helpful China work visa calculator tool.

Demystifying China’s Work Permit Points

Confused by the china visa rules? You’re not alone. Think of it as a game where you collect points. Your salary, age, HSK level, degree, and employer all add up to your final score.

This guide will show you the rules. We’ll explain the 2024-2025 changes and what they mean for your 2026 application. We’ll give you clear examples so you can plan for success.

How the Point System Works: A, B, and C

What do the categories really mean?

Category A: This is for high-scoring top talent, senior experts, or people in national plans. They are often fast-tracked.
Category B: This is for most foreign professionals. You qualify by hitting a certain points score. This is the main goal for many.
Category C: This is for entry-level or temporary roles. Approvals are limited and often short-term.

For most, the goal is a strong Category B score. The system is now mostly online, making rules more standard across different cities.

What Gives You Points? (And What You Can Change)

You can control some of your score. Focus on these areas:

Education: A bachelor’s degree or higher adds big points. Top university degrees can give you a bonus.
Age: The system likes mid-career professionals. Very young or older applicants may get fewer points.
Salary: This is a big one. A higher salary (compared to the local average) adds serious points. It’s one of the easiest levers to pull.
Work Experience: More years in a relevant job helps, especially if it’s continuous.
Chinese Language (HSK): Passing an HSK test adds points. Levels 4-6 can be the difference between a yes and a no.
Work Location: Some cities give extra points for jobs they really need.
Clean Record: Keep your filings consistent. This helps with smooth reviews.

Since late 2024, the work permit and social security card have merged. Applications and renewals are fully online. This means your data must be perfect across all systems.

What’s New for Your 2026 Application

Big changes are happening now that affect you later.

Digital Integration is Here

No More Physical Permits: Your work permit info is now in your social security record. Old physical permits are valid until you renew, but then you’ll join the new digital system.
Everything is Online: Apply, extend, or change your permit online. Accurate and consistent uploads are more important than ever.
One National System: The old systems are now one national platform. This means fewer differences between cities.

Think of your contract, social security, and work permit as one package. If they don’t match, you will face delays or even a refusal.

Your Top Questions Answered

What score do I need for Category B?

You want a comfortable score above your city’s minimum. Don’t just barely pass. Build a “safety net” of 5-10 extra points. This protects you if rules change and makes renewals easier.

How much does salary affect my points?

A lot. A higher salary multiple is a direct points booster. If you’re close to a points threshold, talk to your employer about your base pay. Make sure your contract salary and social security payments match perfectly. The new system will flag any differences.

Do I need HSK?

It’s not a must, but it’s a smart move. HSK 4-6 can push a borderline case into approval. It’s often faster than getting more experience or a new degree. Plan ahead, take the test, and keep your certificate ready.

How do age brackets influence points?

The system favors ages it sees as “peak employability” (usually mid-20s to late-40s). If you’re near the top or bottom of an age group, boost your score in other areas, like salary or HSK.

Will my degree be recognized?

Yes, if it’s from a real school. Degrees from well-known universities can get bonus points. You must provide notarized copies and translations. Without proof, you get zero points.

Do regional incentives really help?

Yes! If you work in a high-demand field (tech, R&D, etc.) in a special development zone, you can get extra points or faster processing. Ask your HR department about local incentives—they might not advertise them.

Is Category C worth it?

Only for very short projects. Category C has strict limits and short terms. It’s not good for a long-term career. If your profile looks like a Category C, try to improve it. Boost your salary or get an HSK certificate to reach Category B.

How do I avoid refusal?

Be consistent. Your job title, duties, salary, and social security must match on every form and document. Upload everything completely—degrees, experience letters, HSK certs, and police checks. Also, make sure your employer is allowed to hire foreigners.

Let’s See Some Examples

Note: Points vary by city. Use these as a guide.

Example 1: The Software Engineer (Aiming for Category B)

Who: 34 years old. Bachelor’s degree. 9 years of experience. Salary is 1.5-2x the local average. No HSK. Works in a tech zone.
How to Improve: Get salary to 2x. Get HSK 4. Double-check degree verification.
Likely Result: Safe Category B, especially with the extra points.

Example 2: The University Lecturer (Aiming for Category A)

Who: 41 years old. Master’s degree. 12 years of experience. HSK 5. Salary is a bit above average.
How to Improve: Raise salary to 2x the average. See if they qualify for any local talent programs.
Likely Result: Strong Category B. Category A is possible with a high salary and employer support.

Example 3: The Early-Career Marketer (Risking Category C)

Who: 25 years old. Bachelor’s degree. 2 years of experience. Average salary. No HSK. Works outside special zones.
How to Improve: Get HSK 4. Negotiate a higher salary (1.5x). See if the job title can be adjusted.
Likely Result: Can move to Category B with these changes. Stays in Category C without them.

Your Game Plan for a Successful Application

Before You Apply:

Match Your Job: Your job title must fit the official occupational codes.
Get Your Papers Ready: Have your degree verification, experience letters, and police check ready to go.
Plan for Language: If you need points, schedule your HSK test now.
Set Your Salary: Agree on a salary level that helps your score.
Check Your Employer: Confirm your company can legally hire you.

When You Submit:

Be Consistent: Your contract salary must match social security. Your job address must match your employer’s records.
Upload Clearly: Use clean scans and standard file names.
Explain When Needed: A short, clear note can prevent questions.

For Renewals and Changes:

Don’t Wait: Start the renewal process early.
Keep Things Stable: Avoid big changes to your job or salary right before a renewal.
Improve Over Time: Add an HSK certificate or new degree between renewals to build a points buffer.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake	Why It’s Bad	The Fix
Salary Doesn’t Match	Causes queries and delays.	Align your contract pay with social security payments.
Unverified Degree	You won’t get the points.	Use official verification services and notarized translations.
Unclear Job Title	You might be put in a lower category.	Use a standard title from the official lists.
No HSK When on the Edge	Could drop you from B to C.	HSK 4-6 is a reliable boost. Get it done.
Ignoring Local Incentives	You miss out on easy points.	Ask your HR about development zone benefits.

Your 2026 Document Checklist

Get these ready before you start:

ID & Legal: Passport, photos, police check, health exam.
Education: Degree certificates, verification reports, translations.
Experience: Employer letters with your title, duties, and dates.
Language: Official HSK certificates.
Job Offer: Signed contract with job description and salary.
Company Info: Business license, proof they can hire foreigners.
Social Security: Your registration and payment records.

Easy Ways to Boost Your Points

Method	Why It Works	How Fast?	Remember…
Higher Salary	Direct points boost	Fast	Must match your social security payments
HSK 4-6	Decides borderline cases	Medium-Fast	Need an official certificate
Recognized Degree	Core points, possible bonus	Medium	Get it verified and translated
Regional Incentives	Extra points in some areas	Medium	Ask your HR about local rules
Consistent Records	Prevents audits and delays	Fast	The system cross-checks everything