Shanghai simplifies work permit applications for expats
September 26, 2016 Category Expat corner, Weekly
Foreigners will find it easier to work in Shanghai after the city released a series of policies to attract international talent. From November 1, foreigners will be able to apply for a unified work permit as the two types of work permits for ordinary foreign employees and foreign experts will be combined into one. The application process will also be simplified. Foreign workers will be classified into categories A, B and C: A for top talent, B for professional talent, C for unskilled workers or those working in the service industry. Some materials previously required to file an application will no longer be needed, such as a personal resume. Current work permits can still be used until their expiry date. Shanghai last year handled 8,599 applications for foreign expert work permits and 120,933 for employment licenses for foreign employees, more than other provinces and cities. Another new policy announced by Shanghai allows students who graduate from local universities without work experience to find employment in the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) and the Shanghai Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone. Previously, foreigners needed to have at least two years’ work experience to apply for work and residence permits in Shanghai. By August this year, 64 foreign postgraduates had obtained work permits under the policy. Another new policy allows regional headquarters of transnational companies, investment companies and foreign-funded research and development (R&D) centers, which are registered in the two trade zones, to employ graduates from leading foreign universities, with or without work experience, the Shanghai Daily reports.
Shanghai also canceled the 60-year-old age limit to apply or get work and residence permits for high-level foreign professionals last year. If the applicants are recognized as “foreign talent” by the authorities, they could be issued permits lasting five years, and they can also apply for a permanent residence permit after working for three years if their employers back their case. A total of 96 foreign expats have been issued such 5-year visas, including 27 older than 60. Most expats need to renew their residence permits once a year, but from last year, they can have their permits renewed for 5 years after two previous renewals. More than 1,800 qualifying expats have applied for the 5-year permits.
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