The implementation of a new work permit system has become stabilized over the years. The Chinese government continues to optimize the system to facilitate the work permit application process toward standardized processes and requirements on a national level to curb illegal employment while attracting highly skilled individuals to support the Chinese economy. Meanwhile, it still allows flexibility in the implementation at a local level, depending on the local economy and demand for different talent or technical personnel. Different local measures have been implemented to facilitate and simplify the work permit process for qualified foreign nationals and companies. Depending on the local practice (such as in Shanghai), the scope of high-technology talents or highly skilled personnel has been widened. More qualified foreign nationals can enjoy relaxed requirements on age, educational background, work experience and exemptions in providing certain documentation during the work permit process.

Local PSBs in some cities (such as Beijing and Shanghai) have also continued to adopt exit-entry-related policies that attract foreign talent to live and do business in China, reflecting the country's emphasis on innovation. For example, if a foreign national is certified by the relevant local authorities in charge of foreign talent to be a "foreign high-level talent," they can obtain a long-term residence permit and enjoy a fast-track route to applying for a China permanent residence permit.

While there have occasionally been more preferential measures implemented to facilitate the work permit and residence permit application for high-level talents and highly skilled personnel, post-application supervision has been strengthened to ensure an ordered and effective management mechanism for foreign nationals working in China. Immigration audits have been carried out more frequently to discover and penalize misconduct or dishonesty by the foreign national and the company during the immigration process.