作者（author）：陆俊辉律师 ｜Attorney Lawrence Luk

律师提醒：

外国人在华就业必须获得《外国人来华工作许可证》和工作类居留许可证。否则很容易被视为“非法“，外籍员工按非法就业、用人单位则按非法用工分别予以处罚。需提醒注意的是，外籍员工在任职单位办理就业手续的，则仅允许在任职单位就业，而且两证必须都办在该任职单位名下，否则同样视为“非法“，按非法就业和非法用工分别处罚相关当事人和用人单位。

法律依据：

《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》第四十一条，外国人在中国境内工作，应当按照规定取得工作许可和工作类居留证件。任何单位和个人不得聘用未取得工作许可和工作类居留证件的外国人。

《外国人在中国就业管理规定》第八条，在中国就业的外国人应持Z字签证入境（有互免签证协议的，按协议办理），入境后取得《外国人就业证》（以下简称就业证）和外国人居留证件，方可在中国境内就业。

外国人非法就业的情形：

根据《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》第四十三条外国人有下列行为之一的，属于非法就业：（一）未按照规定取得工作许可和工作类居留证件在中国境内工作的；（二）超出工作许可限定范围在中国境内工作的；（三）外国留学生违反勤工助学管理规定，超出规定的岗位范围或者时限在中国境内工作的。

外国人非法就业需要承担的法律后果：

根据《中华人民共和国出境入境管理法》第八十条规定：

“外国人非法就业的，处五千元以上二万元以下罚款；情节严重的，处五日以上十五日以下拘留，并处五千元以上二万元以下罚款。

介绍外国人非法就业的，对个人处每非法介绍一人五千元，总额不超过五万元的罚款；对单位处每非法介绍一人五千元，总额不超过十万元的罚款；有违法所得的，没收违法所得。

非法聘用外国人的，处每非法聘用一人一万元，总额不超过十万元的罚款；有违法所得的，没收违法所得。”

“第六十二条规定，外国人有下列情形之一的，可以遣送出境：

（一）被处限期出境，未在规定期限内离境的；

（二）有不准入境情形的；

（三）非法居留、非法就业的；

（四）违反本法或者其他法律、行政法规需要遣送出境的。其他境外人员有前款所列情形之一的，可以依法遣送出境。

被遣送出境的人员，自被遣送出境之日起一至五年内不准入境。”

What types of documentation are required for foreigners to work in China? What are the consequences of illegal employment?

Attorney's Perspective：

Foreigners working in China must obtain a "Foreigner Work Permit" and a work-related residence permit. If the relevant employment procedures are not completed for employment, the employee will be deemed "illegal" in terms of vision, foreign employees will be punished according to illegal employment and the employer will be punished according to illegal employment.

Important reminder: Foreign employees must work in the same company as they handle employment procedures, and both certificates must be obtained under the name of the employer. Otherwise, they will be considered "illegal" and punished according to illegal employment and illegal employment, as well as the relevant parties and enterprise units.

Legal basis:

1. Article 41 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that foreigners working within China shall obtain work permits and work-related residence permits in accordance with regulations. No unit or individual shall hire foreigners who have not obtained work permits and work-related residence permits.

2. Article 8 of the "Regulations on the Administration of Employment of Foreigners in China" stipulates that foreigners employed in China shall enter the country with a Z-visa (if there is a mutual visa exemption agreement, the agreement shall be followed), and upon entry, they shall obtain the "Foreigner Employment Permit" (hereinafter referred to as the "Employment Permit") and the foreigner's residence permit before they can work in China.

Instances of Unauthorized Employment by Foreign Nationals：

In accordance with theExit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China：

Article 43 Any of the following acts of foreigners shall be deemed unlawful employment:

(1)Work in China without obtaining work permits or work-type residence permits in accordance with relevant regulations;

(2)Work in China beyond the scope prescribed in the work permits; or

(3)Foreign students work in violation of the regulations on the administration of foreign students working to support their study in China and work beyond the prescribed scope of jobs or prescribed time limit.

The legal consequences for foreign nationals engaged in illegal employment：

In accordance with theExit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China：

Article 80Foreigners who work in China illegally shall be fined not less than RMB 5,000 but not more than RMB 20,000 yuan; where circumstances are serious, they shall be detained for not less than five days but not more than fifteen days and shall also be fined not less than RMB 5,000 yuan but not more than RMB 20,000 yuan.

Persons who introduce jobs to ineligible foreigners shall be fined RMB 5,000 yuan for each job illegally introduced to one foreigner, with a cap of not more than RMB 50,000 yuan in total; and entities that introduce jobs to ineligible foreigners shall be fined RMB 5,000 yuan for each job illegally introduced to one foreigner, with a cap of RMB 100,000 yuan in total; and the illegal gains, if any, shall be confiscated.

Individuals or entities that illegally employ foreigners shall be fined RMB 10,000 yuan for each illegally employed foreigner, with a cap of RMB 100,000 yuan in total; and the illegal gains, if any, shall be confiscated.

Article 62 Under any of the following circumstances, foreigners may be repatriated:

(1)Are ordered to exit China within a prescribed time limit but fail to do so;

(2)Are involved in circumstances in which they are not allowed to enter China;

(3)Illegally reside or work in China; or

(4)Need to be repatriated for violation of this Law or other laws or administrative regulations.Other overseas personnel who fall under any of the circumstances prescribed in the preceding paragraph may be repatriated in accordance with the law.

Repatriated persons shall not be allowed to enter China for one to five years, calculating from the date of repatriation.