In what circumstances can foreigners be exempted from the employment license and employment permit?

In accordance with Article 9 of Rules for the Administration of Employment of Foreigners in China，foreigners may be exempted from the Employment License and Employment Permit when they meet any of the following three conditions:

(1) foreign professional technical and managerial personnel employed directly by the Chinese government and holding a Foreign Expert Certificate issued by China's Bureau of Foreign Expert Affairs;

(2) foreign professional technical and managerial personnel with senior technical titles or credentials of special skills recognized by their home or international technical authorities or professional associations employed by Chinese government offices or institutions and foreigners holding a Foreign Expert Certificate issued by China's Bureau of Foreign Expert Affairs;

(3) foreign workers with special skills who work in offshore petroleum operations without the need to go ashore for employment and hold a Work Permit for Foreign Personnel Engaged in Offshore Petroleum Operations in the People's Republic of China;

(4) foreigners who conduct commercialized entertainment performances with the approval of the Ministry of Culture and hold a Permit for Temporary Commercialized Performance.

In accordance with Article 10 of Rules for the Administration of Employment of Foreigners in China，foreigners may be exempted from the Employment License and may apply directly for the Employment Permit by presenting their Employment Visas and relevant papers after their entry when they meet any of the following conditions:

(1) foreigners employed in China under agreements or accords entered into by the Chinese government with foreign governments or international organizations for the implementation of Sino-foreign projects of cooperation and exchange;

(2) chief representatives and representatives of the permanent offices of foreign enterprises in China.