CHENGDU, Oct. 11 -- A pilot program to improve the work permit application process for foreigners will be launched on Nov. 1 in Chengdu, capital of the southwestern province of Sichuan, local authorities said Tuesday.

The program will unify the current two permits, one for "foreign employees" and another for "foreign experts," into one, according to Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs.

The permit is based on a credit-based talent evaluation system that classifies foreign workers into top talent, professional talent and unskilled workers.

Top talent, with verbal assurance, can enter China without having to submit a criminal record certificate.

Those classed as top talent do not have to submit certain paperwork including job qualification and degree certificates before entering the country.

Some application material has also been waived, such as an application letter and resume.

The pilot program was first announced by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs in early September, covering Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanghai, Anhui, Shandong, Guangdong, Sichuan and Ningxia, from October 2016 to March 2017.

The practice will be applied nationwide in April 2017.