How do you change employers on a China work permit in 2026?

The former employer should cancel the Foreigner's Work Permit after your contract ends. Many city guides expect that cancellation filing within about 10 working days of the termination event. Collect the cancellation certificate and a resignation or termination document signed by both sides. Without those papers, the next sponsor cannot cleanly apply.

The new employer then submits a new Foreigner's Work Permit application through the national foreigners-working system with a Chinese employment contract, your passport data, a still-valid work-type residence permit, photos, and the cancellation proof. Beijing guidance for people already working in China who keep a similar occupation often says to apply for the new permit within three months of cancellation. A large change of occupation can trigger extra qualification evidence. Multinational internal transfers sometimes sit on a shorter 30-day clock after cancellation. Finish the work-permit step before you treat the new company as your legal workplace.

Keep the work-type residence sticker valid while the transfer runs. Many movers specifically ask the old company not to cancel the residence permit at Exit-Entry, because you need that stamp to stay legal while the new work permit processes: Cancel a work permit. After the new work permit issues, update employer details on the residence permit at Public Security Exit-Entry so the sticker matches the new sponsor: Apply for a residence permit and Renew a residence permit.

Re-check temporary address registration if you move flats for the new job: Register address. Tax withholding and social-insurance enrolment also switch with the employer, so align HR timelines with File taxes and Get a social security number. Mandarin-only counters are common: Chinese bureaucracy without Chinese.