Spotlight on APAC Series: China

In our Spotlight on APAC series we round up the latest immigration developments from across the region.  In this post we look at China’s extension to the duration of Category B work visas.

In a recent move the Shanghai immigration authorities extended the duration of Category B professional talent work visas to two years upon a request for a second extension.  Applicants should note that the shift in policy only applies to the second extension and the initial application and first extension will be issued for a maximum period of one year.

In China, the visa duration for foreign nationals is based on different talent categories, primarily divided into three categories: A, B, and C.

For Category B (professional talent), the work permit approval period is generally one year. The validity period cannot exceed that of the business license or registration certificate, government approval document, employment contract or assignment letter, and the applicant’s passport or equivalent international travel document.

The specific scope of foreign professional talent (Category B) includes:

• Foreign professionals with a bachelor’s degree or above and at least two years of relevant work experience. They must meet one of the following criteria:
  • Managers or professional technical personnel engaged in research, teaching, or management in special fields such as education, scientific research, journalism, publishing, culture, arts, health, and sports.
  • Personnel executing intergovernmental agreements between China and foreign countries, international organisation agreements, or China-foreign economic and trade or engineering contracts. Age requirements may be relaxed for individuals dispatched by internationally renowned academic institutions or international organisations in education and science, in accordance with the terms of intergovernmental exchange and cooperation agreements.
  • Personnel hired by representative offices of international organisations in China and representatives of foreign expert organisations stationed in China.
  • Mid-level and above employees dispatched by multinational companies, chief representatives and representatives of foreign companies’ resident offices in China.
  • Foreign management personnel or technical professionals hired by enterprises, public institutions, social organisations, and other entities.
• Talent with internationally recognised professional skills certifications or those with urgently needed skills.
• Foreign language teaching personnel. In principle, foreign language teachers should teach the language of their home country. They must hold a bachelor’s degree or above and have at least two years of language education experience. Those who hold a degree in education, language, or pedagogy, or possess a national teaching qualification or a recognised international language teaching certificate, can be exempt from the work experience requirement.
• Foreign talent whose average salary is at least four times the average local salary from the previous year.
• Specialised personnel and project implementation personnel in compliance with the regulations of relevant national departments.
• Professionals who score over 60 points on the points-based evaluation system.

China: Shanghai introduces 13 measures to attract foreign talent

In a move to support and attract more Category A foreign nationals to work in Shanghai, the authorities made an announcement of 13 new measures designed to streamline procedures for obtaining visas, residence permits, work permits and permanent residency.  The announcement was made at the fourth Shanghai Talent+ Summit in late September 2024.

If you would like more information or assistance in handling immigration matters for China please contact [email protected] and [email protected]

Author