Short answer
Release letter vs permit cancellation
No. The employment-exit certificate and the Foreigner’s Work Permit cancellation certificate record different events. A resignation or termination notice explains how one party ended the relationship; the employment certificate proves that it ended; the work-permit cancellation record closes the old authorization; and the new employer’s application seeks new authorization.
Do not assume that one document automatically performs the others. Ask the old employer, new employer, work-permit office, and exit-entry authority which step each controls and get the application numbers and dates in writing.
Search questions bundled here
Questions this guide answers
- Is a release letter the same as work-permit cancellation?
- Can a termination letter be used as a release letter?
- Can I get a new job or work visa without a release letter?
- What happens after I receive the release letter?
- Do I need a new visa after getting it?
- Which documents does the new employer need?
Four records that are often confused
| Document | What it records | Typical issuer or handler |
|---|---|---|
| Resignation or termination notice | How one party says the employment will end | Employee or employer |
| Employment-exit certificate | That the labor relationship ended, with core employment details | Employing unit |
| Work-permit cancellation certificate | That the old Foreigner’s Work Permit was cancelled | Competent work-permit authority after the cancellation process |
| Residence or stay document | The foreigner’s current permission to stay in China | Exit-entry authority |
Why a termination notice may not be enough
A termination notice and an exit certificate can contain overlapping facts, but they serve different purposes. The notice records the act or reason used to end employment. The certificate confirms the completed exit and should contain the particulars required for that record.
If the employer gives only a resignation acceptance, termination notice, or mutual agreement, ask whether a separate 解除（终止）劳动合同证明 will also be issued.
A safer changing-employer sequence
- Confirm in writing how and when the labor contract ends.
- Obtain the employment-exit certificate and check names, dates, position, service period, and seal.
- Ask the old employer for proof of the work-permit cancellation submission and the resulting certificate or system status.
- Give the new employer the exact documents its local process requires and obtain the new application number or receipt.
- Confirm the current residence or stay status directly with the competent exit-entry authority.
- Do not begin work for the new employer merely because the old employer issued a release letter.
Local procedure can change the checklist
Beijing’s published changing-employer guidance illustrates the separation clearly: the old work permit is cancelled, a cancellation certificate is used in the new application, and the new employer submits its own contract and application materials. Other cities may use different windows, labels, or timing rules.
Treat local HR or agent advice as a lead, not the final proof. Ask for the current official checklist, receiving office, application number, and deadline that apply to the actual city and occupation.
Direct answers
Frequently asked questions
Is the work-permit cancellation certificate the release letter?
No. One concerns the labor relationship and the other concerns the old work authorization.
Can I start the new job once I have the release letter?
Not on that document alone. The new employer and competent authority must complete the authorization required for the new employment.
Can a termination letter replace the exit certificate?
Do not assume so. Ask for the specific employment-exit certificate and compare it with the receiving party’s checklist.
Do I automatically need a new visa?
The next residence or visa step depends on your current status, location, and the local process. Confirm it with the competent exit-entry authority.
What should I send the new employer?
Send only the requested records, but expect questions about the employment-exit certificate, old permit cancellation, valid passport and residence document, and new contract.
What proof should I keep?
Keep both certificates, screenshots of system status, submission receipts, contracts, passport and residence pages, and written instructions from both employers.
Primary authorities
Official sources
- Labor Contract Law, Article 50 ↗Official court-hosted English reference on the exit certificate, handover, compensation payment, and file or social-insurance transfer.
- Rules for the Administration of Employment of Foreigners in China ↗State Council English reference on employment permits, employer changes, and steps after employment ends.
- Beijing: cancelling a Foreigner’s Work Permit ↗Official Beijing procedure showing that an employment termination certificate and a work-permit cancellation certificate are distinct records.
- Beijing: work permit application when changing employment ↗Official Beijing procedure illustrating the separate cancellation and new-permit steps and their local timing rules.
- National Immigration Administration: entry, exit, stay, and residence ↗National Immigration Administration guidance on residence applications and handling through the competent exit-entry authority.
Source limit: National rules establish the core employment duties. Work-permit, residence, filing, document, and timing practices can differ by city and case. Confirm the current local process before acting.