On the afternoon of February 21, at the China Construction Bank branch in the Ningbo Municipal Government Service Center, Dave Towey, Associate Dean at the Faculty of Science and Engineering of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, received the city’s very first “Join in Card”.

“This is the first ‘Join in Card’ issued in Ningbo—what an honor,” said Towey. “With this card, I no longer need to carry my passport, my work permit, and a whole bunch of other documents. It really lightens my wallet. This one single card allows me to take public transport, shop, and access healthcare.”

The name “Join in Card” comes from a Chinese phrase meaning “gathering talents from all over the world”. It marks part of an important initiative to enhance convenience for foreigners working and living in Ningbo.

Previously, foreign nationals working in China had to apply for a work permit and a social security card—two separate cards. With the current initiative, work permit information is embedded in the social security card, enabling foreigners to access a wider range of services with one single card. This streamlining effort makes working and living in China significantly more convenient.

An official from the Ningbo Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau stated that foreign residents in Ningbo can currently use their social security card for a wide range of services, including accessing government services, receiving medical treatment, purchasing medication, paying for public transportation, visiting cultural and tourism venues, and shopping at designated retailers.

The social security card can be used to navigate government services across 19 departments, including human resources, social security, education, civil affairs, and housing.

An official from the Ningbo Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs stated that the “Join in Card” symbolizes the improved integration of data from work permits, residence permits, and the social security services foreigners are eligible for, streamlining the process. By replacing physical work permits with electronic certificates, processing time and costs are reduced while convenience and the overall experience for foreign residents are enhanced.

As an economic hub in the Yangtze River Delta, an open and outward-facing city, and a national transportation gateway, Ningbo continues to attract an increasing number of foreign professionals. As of 2024, the city is home to more than 7,700 permanent foreign residents.

Going forward, Ningbo’s municipal bureaus for science and human resources plan to integrate more data from existing permits into these cards, expanding their functionality even further. This is expected to enhance the city’s appeal to international talent, fostering a more inclusive, livable, and business-friendly environment.

“For years, I’ve been in love with Ningbo’s unique charm as a port city and its rich culture,” said Towey. “Now, with the ‘Join in Card’, the government has made it even easier for us to access public services—I feel like a true Ningbo local now.”