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Work PermitPoints SystemCategory A/B

China Work Permit Points System: What Do 60 and 85 Points Mean?

China's work-permit points route can support Category B at 60 points or Category A at 85 points, but it is only one eligibility route and never an automatic approval.

Direct answer: Under the published classification criteria, 60 points can qualify a candidate for the Category B points route and 85 points can qualify a candidate for the Category A points route. These thresholds do not guarantee approval, and many applicants qualify through a different listed route instead of points. The employer and local authority must identify the applicable route and verify the evidence.

What the score measures

The table assigns points for items such as salary paid in China, education or professional qualification, relevant work experience, annual working time, Chinese-language ability, age, work location and recognized talent credentials. A self-calculated total is only a planning tool because the authority decides which documents prove each item.

Do not count the same achievement twice or assume an estimate from a recruiter is an official score. Salary, experience dates, degree records and the proposed job should match the documents filed by the employer.

Points are not the only route

Category A also includes specified high-end talent and achievement routes. Category B includes several professional, education-and-experience, salary and program routes. A candidate who clearly meets one of those routes may not need to rely on the points threshold.

The opposite is also important: reaching 60 or 85 does not erase baseline requirements, employer eligibility, occupation-specific rules or document problems. Local implementation and case facts still matter.

Build an evidence-first score sheet

Ask the employer to list each claimed factor, the supporting document, whether authentication or apostille is required and the authority that will review it. Resolve gaps before the employer submits the online work-permit application.

eChinaVisa can help organize the U.S.-side passport, degree and criminal-record documents and later prepare the Z-visa file after the work-permit notification is issued. It cannot determine the China-side category or guarantee a work permit.

Frequently asked questions

Does 60 points guarantee a Category B work permit?

No. It supports one Category B eligibility route, subject to evidence and authority review.

Do all applicants need a points calculation?

No. Other published Category A or B routes may apply.

Who submits the score and documents?

The China-based employer files the work-permit application and supporting evidence.

Related guides

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eChinaVisa can help identify the visa category, pre-review documents, prepare and check COVA, follow online preliminary review, and coordinate passport submission and return. We are an independent application assistance service, not a government website or government agency; approval, validity, entries and official processing time are decided by Chinese authorities.

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Sources

  1. Shanghai government: official A/B/C evaluation criteria
  2. China government guide: work-permit documents and employer filing
  3. Chinese Embassy in the U.S.: Z visa uses the work-permit notification
  4. Reddit work-permit eligibility question signal (not an official rule)

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