China Work Visa Medical Examination: What Beijing and Shanghai Pages List for Work Permits

This page gives general administrative information and no medical advice.

The Beijing work permit manual

A manual on the Beijing Municipal Government English portal says that if a person is not included in the Foreigner Point Scoring System, the employer can apply for the Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit before the person enters China. The manual says it is applicable for clauses 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of "Foreign Talents (Class B)".

The manual lists an original copy, paper or electronic, of the "Physical examination report" among the materials listed for the application.

The manual says these are accepted for that item: a Verification Certificate of Physical Examination Records of Overseas Personnel, or the Certificate of Health Examination issued by the Inspection and Quarantine Institutions of China, or a physical examination report issued by an overseas health and medical institution and accepted by those institutions. It says any health certificate must have been issued within the past six months. It says that if the report cannot be presented, the employer may provide a letter of commitment on health.

The manual says the commitment system can be adopted prior to entry. It says that when applying for a Foreigner's Work Permit after entry, the Verification Certificate of Physical Examination Records of Overseas Personnel or the Certificate of Health Examination issued by the Inspection and Quarantine Institutions of China has to be provided.

The Beijing health entrance examination guide

The Beijing Municipal Government English portal also carries a guide to the health entrance examination. The page carries the date 2022-12-16.

The guide says people shall undergo a physical examination if they are foreigners who apply to reside permanently, obtain employment, study or stay in China for one year or longer, and have reached the age of 16.

Among the documents for the health-check appointment, for a work residence permit the guide lists the original and photocopy of the employment certificate issued by the local administration of foreign expert affairs.

The guide says personnel entering China must complete the health management procedures by themselves within 15 days after entry so as not to affect the subsequent employment and residence procedures.

The Shanghai health check guide

The Shanghai Municipal Government English portal carries a guide to the health check. The page is dated August 30, 2024, and its footer says it was updated July 14, 2026.

The guide says anyone planning to live, work or study in Shanghai for a year or more needs to complete a health check at the International Travel Healthcare Center. It says this step is crucial for applying for residence and employment permits.

Among the documents for the health-check appointment, for applicants seeking a residence permit for work, the guide lists an employment certificate issued by the relevant local foreign experts authority, a photocopy of the employer's business license, or the original and a photocopy of the applicant's Foreigner's Work Permit.

The regulation text

The State Council's Regulation on the Administration of Entry and Exit of Foreigners says that for a work residence permit the applicant submits a work permit and other supporting materials. It says foreigners who apply for a residence permit valid for 1 year or more must submit a health certificate as the rules provide. It says a health certificate is valid for 6 months from the day it is issued.

State Council Order 814 amended the Regulation, and the Order took effect on 1 October 2025.

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Questions people ask

What does the Beijing work permit manual say about a physical examination report?

The manual lists an original copy of the "Physical examination report" among the materials listed for the application, and says a health certificate must have been issued within the past six months.

What does the Beijing manual say if the report cannot be presented?

The manual says the employer may provide a letter of commitment on health.

What does the Shanghai guide say about the health check and work?

The guide says anyone planning to work in Shanghai for a year or more needs to complete a health check at the International Travel Healthcare Center.

Sources

Each source above was read on the date shown. This page is an unofficial summary of general administrative information. It is not published by the bodies named above, and it is not medical advice. If it differs from the official pages, the official pages prevail, and rules may change after the check date.