R You Talented Enough for China?

China introduced friendly immigration policies in Shanghai and Beijing since 2015 to attract foreign “Talent” to work and reside here. The newly issued policies greatly ease the initial process for “Talent” to come into China and enjoy more friendly and easy immigration environment.

Certified foreign “Talent” can enjoy at least below benefits when working and living in Shanghai and Beijing:

• No retire age limitation, which is a good news for those over age foreign employees who have the problem to renew their work permits

• Obtain a long-term residence permit up to 5 years

• Eligible to hire a foreign domestic helper

• Eligible to enjoy a short-cut when applying for the Chinese Green Card

How can a foreign national be certified as a “Talent” and enjoy mentioned benefits?

For those who fall into one of below categories, the benefits are available once they get the approval from the Talent Assessing Authority in the local government:

• Distinguished talent with a world-recognized award;

• Famous experts;

• Senior executives or R&D experts employed by companies qualified by the Science and Technology Commission or Development and Reform Commission; and

• Other distinguished foreign nationals who can meet an urgent need in a local market.

Upon getting a Talent certificate issued by competent authority, the foreign national can easily obtain a Talent type Residence Permit and be exempt from age limitation, and most excitingly, the certified “Talent” can apply for a residence permit for his/her foreign domestic helper accordingly.

Additionally, between those two cities, Beijing, following Shanghai, has introduced more policies to take care of the overseas Chinese who may be recognized as the Talent. Although Beijing only pilots the overseas Chinese friendly policies in some area, it is possible to express to the whole city gradually.

I believe the new immigration policies progressively introduced by Shanghai and Beijing since 2015 will attract more high-level foreign talents to the work and reside, and the talents will with no doubt to help the local development as well.

Learn more about Jenny Du and our China practice here.