Foreign nationals may work in the PRC only after obtaining Employment Permits and Residence Certificates except where they:
- are a professional technician or management personnel employed directly by the Chinese Government;
- hold a Foreign Expert Certificate issued by the Foreign Expert Bureau and are employed by state authorities or public institutions;
- have specialized skills working in offshore petroleum operations without the need to go ashore and hold a Work Permit for Foreign Personnel Engaged in Offshore Petroleum Operations in the PRC; or
- engage in commercial activities with the approval of the Ministry of Culture and hold a permit to conduct temporary commercial activities.