New Policies for 5 Year Work Residence in China!

Source: JobTube, Arianna J., Freya W., Josh B.

As per Guangzhou Public Security Bureau, as of June 25th, 2019, there were about 83,400 foreigners living in Guangzhou, with an increase of 1.6% year on year; among which, 55,000 are permanent (more than half a year), with an increase of 6.8% year on year.

Accordingly, Guangzhou Public Security Bureau has issued a series of new measures for foreigners including a convenient M Visa policy for business people (60 days and 30 days); a no-more-than-two-year visa (marked entrepreneurship) for foreign students that graduate from Chinese colleges and a no-more-than-six-month (marked internship) for campus students; a visa extension policy for China Import and Export Fair.

Besides, when foreigners come to work for some institutions in Guangzhou, they can directly apply to the public security organ for a work residence permit with the "work permit notice", and they do not need to return to their home country to apply for Z-visa.

In addition, it is worth mentioning that there is a visa policy based on personal integrity, which is, foreigners in Guangzhou with good working records can apply for 2-5 years of work residence permits.

Relaxed policies for five-year residence permit in these cities:

Besides Guangzhou; Chengdu, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Xiamen, Shanghai, Hainan have already relaxed the application conditions for a five-year residence permit. In the new deal, the following five categories have been added to the list of foreigners who are entitled to apply for a work residence permit of up to five years:

1. Foreign experts and scholars invited by domestic key universities, scientific research institutes and well-known enterprises, as well as foreign high-level management and professional and technical talents recognized by relevant departments of the people's government at or above the level of city divided into districts;

2. Foreign talents and members of innovation and entrepreneurship team in key domestic development fields and industries;

3. Foreign members of the working team and research assistants recommended by foreigners with significant contributions and special needs of the country;

4. Foreigners who have applied for a work residence permit for more than one year for two consecutive times without any illegal act and for the third time;

5. Excellent foreign students who have obtained bachelor's degree or above in key domestic institutions of higher learning and engage in innovation and entrepreneurship activities in China after graduation.

Among the five categories, the fourth applies to the most people. In practice, it is not difficult to apply for a work residence permit for more than one year. Regardless of education background, income, work and residence time, foreigners can apply for a work residence permit for up to five years given they have completed two consecutive applications for work residence permit.

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