China has introduced the “Join in Card,” an innovative solution that combines work permits and social security cards for foreign nationals residing in the country. This new initiative simplifies access to 264 public services across sectors like government, healthcare, transportation, finance, and tourism, eliminating the need for individuals to carry passports or multiple certificates.
Starting December 1, 2024, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security will roll out this nationwide system, marking a significant shift toward more convenient and efficient services for expatriates. Shen Zhenning, the deputy director of the ministry’s foreign experts service department, emphasized that this card is a major advancement in improving the living and working conditions of foreigners in China.
The pilot program, which began in Zhejiang province, has already introduced the all-in-one card, available in both physical and digital formats. Foreigners can use it for various activities, such as traveling in 336 cities, visiting cultural and tourist sites in the Yangtze River Delta, and accessing healthcare services at thousands of facilities across 41 cities.
Previously, foreign workers had to go through a complicated process, making multiple visits to different departments and submitting documents repeatedly, which could take up to a month. With the new system, applicants can now complete the entire process online in a single application, with the card delivered to their home within 10 days, along with a digital version.
Expatriates have shown strong support for the new system. Stephen Fox, an American who has lived in Jiaxing for 13 years, highlighted how the card eliminates everyday challenges such as hospital registrations, pharmacy transactions, and visits to cultural sites. He pointed out that the card makes his experience more aligned with that of local residents, facilitating easier access to services for both himself and his family.
Jovanovic Milos, a Serbian football coach, also noted another advantage: the removal of transaction fees when making payments with the card, a significant improvement over his previous reliance on foreign bank cards.
According to Yang Kejian, director of the Jiaxing Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, the card combines over 10 personal data elements, including identity verification, work permits, social security information, and bank account details. This consolidation, along with a streamlined application process, has reduced the need for documentation by 35%.
As of October, Zhejiang province, which is home to 67,000 foreign permanent residents and 22,300 valid work permit holders, was chosen as the pilot area for this initiative. The card has been praised for fostering a more welcoming environment for expatriates, enhancing the local business landscape, and contributing to China’s broader goals of openness and international collaboration.
Yu Jianxing, Party secretary of Zhejiang Gongshang University, highlighted the card’s role in ensuring that foreigners can access the same services as local residents, further promoting the integration of expatriates into Chinese society.
