The Visa Office for foreigners in Hangzhou’s Linping district officially commenced operations on Jul 30.
By Jin Yingying
To further support foreign talent, Hangzhou has rolled out a series of policies aimed at easing the process for foreign entrepreneurs and streamlining services. For the 14th consecutive year, the city has been ranked among the most attractive cities in China for foreign talent.
Measures to Facilitate Immigration
Entry-Exit for Foreigners
Hangzhou has implemented seven preferential exit-entry policies since 2017, aimed at benefiting and attracting high-level foreign talent, long-term worker in China, overseas Chinese, and international students, providing a broad range of conveniences for foreign professionals and their families.
More convenient immigration policies have been implemented, making Hangzhou more attractive for foreign talent as the National Immigration Administration rolled out 12 streamlined immigration policies in 2019.
Key highlights of these policies include:
1. Foreigners with high-level talents, with outstanding contributions, which the state specially needs and whom received the state authorities, provincial people’s governments or national key development regional administrative departments may apply for permanent residence permit in China from the entry-exit administration of public security organ. Their accompanying spouse and underage children may also apply for permanent residency.
2. Foreigners working in China that have worked continuously for 4 years and actually stayed no less than 6 months accumulatively each year in China, whose annual wage is not less than six times the average salary of urban employees of the previous year, whose annual personal income tax is not lower than 20% of the annual income may apply for permanent residence permit in China from the entry-exit administration of public security organ. Their accompanying spouse and underage children may also apply for permanent residency.
3. Overseas Chinese working in China who have a doctoral degree or master’s degree or have worked continuously for 4 years in key development areas of the country and actually stayed no less than 6 months accumulatively each year in China may apply for permanent residence permit in China from the entry-exit administration of public security organ. Their accompanying spouse and underage children may also apply for permanent residency.
4. Foreign professionals and scholars invited by key domestic institutions of higher learning, scientific research institutes and well-known enterprises, as well as high-level management and professional, and technical personnel that have been recognized by the competent scientific and technological innovation departments of the people’s governments at or above the municipal level may apply for visa on arrival from the port visa administration office of the public security organ. After entering the country, a multiple entry visa or residence permit with a validity of up to 5 years may be applied from the entry-exit administration of public security organ on the basis of certificates and letters from the inviting units.
5. In key domestic development areas, foreign talents introduced by the industry and members of innovative entrepreneurship teams may apply for residence permits of up to 5 years from the entry-exit administration of public security organ on the basis of work permits and unit corresponding materials. Foreign members of the innovative entrepreneurship team may also apply for a residence permit of up to 5 years of validity with the letter of guarantee from the team leader.
6. Foreigners with outstanding contributions, which the states specially needs may recommend foreign members and research assistants of the work team they lead to apply for long-term visas or residence permits with up to 5 years of validity from the entry-exit administration of public security organ.
7. Foreigners employed by enterprises and institutions in China who have completed work permit notice and are unable to leave the country to apply for a work visa may apply for a work residence permit at the entry-exit administration of public security organ with the work permit notice documents and other materials. If you have applied for a residence permit for work twice in a row for a length of more than one year and there is no violation of laws and regulations, the third time you can apply for a residence permit with a validity period of 5 years from the entry-exit administration of public security organ.
8. Foreign high-level talents working in key domestic institutions of higher learning institutes and well-known enterprises shall be approved by the work unit and part-time employer and can apply for part-time innovation and entrepreneurship activities from the entry-exit administration of public security organ.
9. Foreign outstanding students with bachelor’s degree or above who engage in innovative and entrepreneurial activities in China after graduating from key universities in China may apply for residence permits valid for 2 to 5 years from the entry-exit administration of public security organ on the basis of their certificates such as university diplomas and innovative and entrepreneurial activities proofs.
10. Foreign students who graduate from internationally renowned universities and come to China for innovation and entrepreneurship within two years after graduation may apply for residence permits valid for up to 2 years from the entry-exit administration of public security organ on the basis of their academic qualifications (degree) certificates and other materials.
11. Foreign students from overseas universities invited by well-known domestic enterprises and institutions for internship in China may apply for a visa valid for one year from the entry-exit administration of public security organ for internship activities on the basis of invitation letters and university study certificates. Foreign students from overseas universities who come to China for internship under intergovernmental agreements may apply for work-related residence permits according to regulations.
12. Promote the establishment of immigration service centers (sites) in places where foreigners are concentrated and build an interactive platform for immigrant exchanges, and provide social integration services such as policy consultation, travel, legal aid, language and culture for long term foreign residents.
Expanded Policies and Services for Talent
To simplify the process for foreign professionals seeking work permits, Hangzhou has strived to optimize policies and services.
1. Expedited Work Permits: High-level foreign talent (Class A) can make a commitment for both non-criminal record and academic certificate. Applications can be completed entirely online, without paper documents, for permits valid up to five years. The applicants can make a commitment for both non-criminal record and academic certificate.
2. Extended Work Permits: Foreign professionals with consecutive work permits and a clean record for the same employer can now renew their permits for two to five years, within the validity of their contract, passport, and insurance.
3. Broadened Talent Criteria: In collaboration with national authorities, Hangzhou has expanded eligibility standards for Class A (high-level) and Class B (specialized) foreign talent, increasing access to work permits for more professionals in critical roles.
4. Local Incentives for High-Demand Talent: Foreign professionals in key industries and outstanding young talent can earn bonus points on their applications, accelerating their approval process.
5. Easy Access to Talent Confirmation Letters: Authorized by the state, Hangzhou now allows key foreign talent to apply online for the “High-Level Foreign Talent Confirmation Letter”, which provides a talent visa free of visa and rush fees. This also extends to family members, who can apply for multi-entry visas.
6. Convenient Work Permits for Foreign Students:
1）Outstanding foreign graduates with a master’s degree or higher can apply for work permits with a letter from their institution, bypassing the usual two-year work experience requirement.
2）Exceptional undergraduate students who meet talent criteria and excel in internships can qualify under the “high-level talent” category for work permits.
7. “One-Stop Service” for Work and Residence Permits: Special service windows are available for foreign professionals to apply for work and residence permits simultaneously, streamlining the process by integrating multiple steps and reducing wait times.
8. Unified Citizen Card: Foreign professionals in Hangzhou will now receive a city card, granting them access to social security, medical, public transit, and cultural services, similar to those offered to residents.
9. Simplified Foreign Exchange Processes: Foreign professionals holding Class A and B work permits can conduct foreign exchange transactions with ease, including income transfers, tax simplifications, and investments in local securities and insurance products.
10. Permanent Residency: High-level foreign professionals with significant contributions, as well as those in priority development areas, are eligible to apply for permanent residency, along with their families, if they meet specified educational and work experience criteria.
Hangzhou continues to refine policies to support foreigners working and starting businesses in the city. For instance, foreigners recognized as top cross-border e-commerce talents in Hangzhou can directly apply for a work visa and a residence permit for employment, helping to address the “difficulty of staying in Hangzhou” for foreign talent.