Single card now serves foreigners in Tianjin

Eric Fordjour, a post-doctoral scholar from Ghana at Tianjin University, was delighted to receive a "Join in Card" in Tianjin on Dec 30.

The card, which combines a foreign work permit and a social security identification, was first issued to foreigners in China in December, saving application time and costs to offer tangible benefits to foreign professionals.

It realizes the idea of one-application processing online for work permits, allowing foreign workers in China to get convenient service in multiple areas — including medical care, pension, finance, culture and employment benefits.

Together with Fordjour, five other foreigners from Tianjin and Nankai universities and some local companies in the high-tech and education sectors participated in a ceremony to promote the card. They became the first foreigners to enjoy the services in Tianjin.

Representatives from the Tianjin Science and Technology Bureau, Tianjin Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, the Exit-Entry Administration of the Tianjin Public Security Bureau, and the Tianjin branch of the Bank of China attended the ceremony.

The bank's representative said it will continue to promote the card and enhance its services.

The initiative aims to create a more friendly and efficient service model for foreign professionals in China, contributing fresh momentum to economic and social development, the bank said.