Permit timeline · Change employer · Job loss · M-visa work · Visa flagship.
Class A is high-end talent (points, a salary tier, or a named programme on the live notice). Class B is the professional default (degree, experience, points / salary band). Class C is short / intern / seasonal-style — not how you staff a WFOE. Salary helps; it does not always auto-A. Age/degree looseness on A is a theme, not a promise. Confirm the current MOST/city notice — do not file a 2021 PDF. Changing class is a new application, like changing employer. Then follow the timeline.
At a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Default hire? | Class B. |
| Auto-A on salary? | Sometimes a tier — confirm live notice. |
| Class C for WFOE staff? | No. |
| Same as residence permit? | Work permit first, then residence — timeline page. |
| Upgrade A later? | New file, not a button. |
Scope and legal framework
Foreigner work-permit classification. The administration assigns A / B / C against a national standard that cities implement. Points tables, salary multiples of local average wages, and talent catalogues are the usual A/B doors.
What A actually buys. Processing convenience and relaxed age/degree themes in many cities — not immunity from labour or tax, and not a substitute for a real job and employer.
What this page is not. The notification-letter → work permit → residence permit calendar lives on the timeline spoke. M-visa employment is still illegal.
Practical workflow
- Open the notice your city published this year — not a blog scorecard.
- Test A channels (list / salary / points) before you promise HQ “we are A.”
- If B: collect degree authentication (apostille) and the timeline pack.
Common mistakes
- Using Class C to hide a full-time engineer.
- Starting work on an M visa “while A is processing.”
- Assuming a US job title maps to A.
Action checklist
- City notice dated this year.
- Class labelled A/B/C with the reason.
- If B: apostille calendar for degree / police record.
- Timeline page owner named.
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