摘要：The Supreme People’s Court has issued the Interpretation (II) on the Application of Law in the Trial of Labor Dispute Cases (“Inte
Sept 1: China’s New Rules Shake Up Foreigners’ Job Relations
9月1日：中国新规改变外国人的劳动关系
The Supreme People’s Court has issued the Interpretation (II) on the Application of Law in the Trial of Labor Dispute Cases (“Interpretation II”), which takes effect on September 1, 2025.
最高人民法院发布了《关于审理劳动争议案件适用法律若干问题的解释（二）》（以下简称“解释二”），该解释自2025年9月1日起生效。
This new interpretation introduces provisions concerning labor relations involving foreign nationals. In cases where prior judicial interpretations conflict with this document, Interpretation II shall prevail.
这一新的解释引入了涉及外国人的劳动关系条款。在以往的司法解释与本文件冲突的情况下，以“解释二”为准。
Key Provisions
主要条款
Article 4 stipulates that where a foreign national establishes an employment relationship with an employer within the territory of the People’s Republic of China, the people’s courts shall support a request to confirm such a relationship if one of the following conditions is met:
第4条规定，外国人在中华人民共和国境内与用人单位建立劳动关系，如满足以下任一条件，人民法院应支持确认此类关系的请求：
1.The foreign national has obtained permanent residence status;
1. 外国人已获得永久居留身份；
2.The foreign national has obtained a work permit and is legally residing in China;
2. 外国人已获得工作许可，并在中国合法居住；
3.The foreign national has completed other relevant procedures in accordance with state regulations.
3. 外国人已按照国家规定完成其他相关手续。
Article 5 provides that duly established representative offices of foreign enterprises in China may participate as parties in labor dispute cases. If a party requests to add the foreign enterprise itself as a litigant, the court shall also grant support.
第5条规定，依法设立的外国企业驻华代表处可以作为当事人参与劳动争议案件。如果一方请求将外国企业本身作为诉讼当事人，法院也应予以支持。
Interpretation by the Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court
上海第二中级人民法院的解释
The Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court has issued a detailed explanation of Articles 4 and 5, clarifying two major points:
上海第二中级人民法院对第4条和第5条进行了详细解释，明确了以下两点：
1.Conditions for Foreign Nationals to Request Confirmation of an Employment Relationship
1. 外国人请求确认劳动关系的条件
Under Chinese law, foreign nationals working in China (excluding diplomats and certain other special personnel) generally fall into two categories:
根据中国法律，在中国工作的外国人（不包括外交官和某些其他特殊人员）通常分为两类：
(1)Those holding a Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Permit;
(1)持有外国人永久居留证的人员；
(2)Those holding valid work permits and residing lawfully in China.
(2)持有有效工作许可并在中国合法居住的人员。
Interpretation II expands on this by confirming three groups of foreigners who may seek recognition of an employment relationship:
“解释二”在此基础上确认了三类可以寻求劳动关系认定的外国人：
(1)Permanent Residents: Holders of China’s Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Permit enjoy nearly the same rights and obligations as Chinese citizens, with limited exceptions. They may therefore lawfully request recognition of labor relations.
(1)永久居民：持有中国外国人永久居留证的人员享有与中国公民几乎相同的权利和义务，仅在有限的例外情况下有所不同。因此，他们可以依法请求确认劳动关系。
(2)Work Permit Holders: Foreigners holding a valid work permit and residence permit—such as the Foreigner’s Employment Certificate or the newer Foreigner’s Work Permit—are eligible to seek confirmation of employment relationships. Since April 1, 2017, China has implemented a unified work permit system, allowing foreigners with the requisite permits to apply for visas and residence documents.
(2)工作许可持有者：持有有效工作许可和居留许可的外国人（例如外国人就业证或更新的外国人工作许可）有资格寻求确认劳动关系。自2017年4月1日起，中国实施了统一的工作许可制度，持有必要许可的外国人可以申请签证和居留文件。
(3)Others in Compliance with Regulations: Certain other foreigners who complete required procedures under Chinese regulations (for example, those specified in Articles 9 and 10 of the Regulations on the Administration of Employment of Foreigners in China) may also request confirmation of labor relations.
(3)符合规定的其他人员：按照中国法规完成所需手续的其他外国人（例如《在中国就业的外国人管理办法》第9条和第10条规定的人员）也可以请求确认劳动关系。
2.Litigation Status of Foreign Enterprises in Labor Disputes
2. 外国企业在劳动争议中的诉讼地位
Although representative offices of foreign enterprises in China generally lack independent legal personhood and cannot directly establish labor relations, Interpretation II provides that they may still act as parties in labor dispute cases. This ensures that facts can be properly examined and the rights of all parties protected. Additionally, courts shall support applications to add the foreign enterprise itself as a party to the case when requested.
尽管外国企业在中国的代表处通常不具备独立法人资格，不能直接建立劳动关系，“解释二”规定它们仍可以作为当事人参与劳动争议案件。这确保了事实可以得到妥善审查，各方权利得到保护。此外，当被请求时，法院应支持将外国企业本身作为案件当事人的申请。
来源：外事商务咨询中心
