China has launched an integrated work permit and social security card enabling foreigners living in the country to have hassle-free transactions.
The "Join in Card" allows foreigners to enjoy 264 public services in diverse sectors such as government affairs, transport, tourism, finance and healthcare without having to carry around their passports or other certificates.
Recently, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security issued a document to implement the integration of foreign workers' work permits with social security cards starting from Dec 1, 2024. It aims to provide more convenient and efficient services for foreigners working in China.
Shen Zhenning, deputy director of the foreign experts service department of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, said that the introduction of the card is of great significance for providing convenient services for foreigners working and living in China.
Expatriates in Zhejiang province became the first recipients of the all-in-one card available in physical and digital versions. According to the local authorities, expats can use the card to take subway and bus in 336 cities, visit 2,825 cultural and tourism venues in the Yangtze River Delta region, and seek medical treatment and buy drugs at tens of thousands of medical institutions and pharmacies in 41 cities.
Work permit and social security card are important certificates for foreigners in China. In the past, they had to visit two departments, submit materials multiple times and fill in information repeatedly, which would take about a month.
Now, they only need to apply online once, and within 10 days, the "Join in Card" will be delivered directly to their homes. An electronic one will also be given.
"As a foreigner, I encounter some difficulties and challenges in my work life. For example, it's not very convenient to make an appointment for registration at a hospital or to swipe your card to buy medicine at a pharmacy, to borrow or return books from the library," said Stephen Fox, who works at an energy company in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province.
"With this new card, I can use my phone to make appointments with doctors in advance, just like my wife, in-laws and Chinese friends. I can seek quick medical treatment on arrival. It also offers a great convenience to take kids to museums and libraries. I don't need to present my passport or go through extra registration procedures," he said, adding that he looks forward to using it.
Fox, from the United States, has lived in Jiaxing for 13 years and married a Chinese wife. He was one of the first expats to receive the card at a launching ceremony in the city on Tuesday.
Jovanovic Milos, from Serbia, is a coach at a soccer club in Jiaxing. He said: "I can save money now." Previously, when he used a foreign bank card for purchases, he had to pay a transaction fee. However, by using the "Join in Card" for payments, he no longer needs to pay any fees.
"More than 10 elements of information are integrated, including personal identity, social security, work permit and bank card number," said Yang Kejian, director of the Jiaxing Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, adding that by streamlining application process and optimizing related policies, the documentation required for foreigners to apply for the card has been reduced by 35 percent.
Zhejiang has 67,000 foreign permanent residents as of late October, with 22,300 of them holding valid work permits. It was named a pilot area by the ministry for promotion of the integrated card.
Yu Jianxing, Party secretary of Zhejiang Gongshang University, said the card allows foreigners to enjoy government services more conveniently during their stay in China, similar to local residents.
This initiative makes foreigners feel at home, optimizes the business environment, and better serves China's high-level opening-up, Yu added.
