China's work permit system uses a points-based classification to categorize foreign workers into three tiers: Category A (high-level talent), Category B (general professionals), and Category C (temporary/unskilled). Your point score determines your category, which affects approval speed, duration, and even whether you need a work permit at all.
The Three Categories
| Category | Points | Description | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (High Talent) | ≥85 | Scientists, tech leaders, senior management | Fast-track, green channel |
| B (General) | 60-84 | Standard professionals, teachers, engineers | Standard processing |
| C (Temporary) | <60 | Seasonal workers, interns, low-skill | Restricted, quota-based |
Points Scoring Criteria (2026)
| Category | Criteria | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Salary (RMB) | ≥900,000 | 25 |
| 600,000-900,000 | 20 | |
| 450,000-600,000 | 15 | |
| 300,000-450,000 | 10 | |
| 150,000-300,000 | 5 | |
| Education | Doctoral degree | 20 |
| Master's degree | 15 | |
| Bachelor's degree | 10 | |
| Vocational/Other | 5 | |
| Work Experience | 5+ years relevant | 15 |
| 2-5 years relevant | 10 | |
| 0-2 years | 5 | |
| Age | 26-45 (optimal) | 15 |
| 18-25 or 46-55 | 10 | |
| 56+ (restricted) | 5 | |
| Chinese Language | HSK Level 5+ | 10 |
| HSK Level 3-4 | 5 | |
| HSK Level 1-2 | 3 | |
| None | 0 | |
| Region (first-tier city) | Shanghai/Beijing/Shenzhen/Guangzhou | 10 |
| Other Tier 1-2 cities | 5 | |
| Western/Northeast China | 0 (but other incentives apply) | |
| Special achievements | Awards, patents, notable projects | 5-20 |
How to Reach Category A (85+ Points)
Example path to 85 points for a tech executive:
- Salary ¥600K+/year: 20 points
- Master's degree: 15 points
- 5+ years experience: 15 points
- Age 26-45: 15 points
- Working in Shanghai: 10 points
- HSK Level 3: 5 points
- Patent holder: 10 points
- Total: 90 points → Category A
Can You Get a Work Permit Without a Degree?
It's challenging but not impossible. Without a bachelor's degree, you lose 10-20 education points. To compensate, you need:
- Very high salary (¥900K+ = 25 points)
- Extensive experience (5+ years = 15 points)
- Age 26-45 (15 points)
- Tier 1 city (10 points)
- Special achievements/patents (10-20 points)
- Best case without degree: ~75-85 points (borderline A/B)
In practice, most successful work permit applicants without degrees have exceptional technical skills or are senior executives with high salaries.
Category Benefits
| Benefit | Category A | Category B | Category C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing time | 5-7 days (green channel) | 15-20 days | 30+ days (quota) |
| Permit duration | Up to 5 years | 1-2 years (renewable) | ≤1 year |
| Visa type | R visa (talent) | Z visa (work) | Z visa (restricted) |
| Family dependents | S1/S2 automatic | S1/S2 with conditions | Limited |
| PRC permanent residency | Fast-track eligible | Standard path | Not eligible |