Special business and work incentives for overseas students and professionals
Overseas students working permits
Foreign students in Shanghai can also conduct part-time entrepreneurial activities in the Lingang New Area. This is applicable given the recommendation of their respective universities and the Lingang Special Area Administration. In this case, the local government will grant them work permits directly on top of their study residence permits. Meanwhile, those who wish to work in the new zone will receive the Shanghai Overseas Talent Residence Permit (Card B), instead of applying for a work permit. Moreover, foreign talents can extend the validity of the SOTRC for ten years.
The Lingang Special Area Overseas Students Pioneer Park
Students and talents abroad are welcome to start businesses in the Overseas Students Pioneer Park at the Lingang Special Area. The said talent zone aims to attract students who have the following qualifications to start a business:
- Have obtained a master’s degree or above from overseas;
- Excellent foreign graduates with a bachelor’s degree or above from a world-class university.
Those who wish to avail themselves and are eligible will be automatically granted the work permit. Furthermore, the local administration can regard their work experience abroad at the same level as domestic work experience. Eligible projects can also obtain special support from the Lingang local administration as listed below.
- Start-up funds
- Office subsidies
- Loan interest discounts
- Listing subsidies
Overseas talents’ qualification for Chinese professional licenses
Shanghai allows overseas talents to take China’s examinations for registered qualification certificates for professionals like real estate appraisers and registered urban and rural planners. Eligible registered professionals with foreign licenses in Finance, Architecture, Planning, Design, and other fields can provide professional services in Lingang Special Area. Besides, their work experience abroad may be regarded as domestic work experience.
Recruitment of overseas students and experts
Overseas Chinese
Outstanding foreign graduates can work directly in the Lingang Special Area and apply for work and residence permits. They can also benefit from the “escalator” system intended for projects under the Shanghai Pujiang Talent Program. The system will allow applicants to go directly to the second round of review and get a better chance of being included in the said program. This program targets Chinese fresh graduates and entrepreneurs who have returned to China from overseas and want to start a business. Accordingly, foreign experts can come to Shanghai and conduct a research project for at least 9 months per year for 3 consecutive years under the Shanghai Municipal 1,000 Talents Plan.
Returning overseas students who have acquired a foreign nationality can get support for improved working and living conditions. They can directly apply for a ten-year residence permit (Type B) for overseas talents without needing a work permit.
Foreign talents and experts
Science and technology companies in the Lingang area continue to relax restrictions on the qualifications of foreign talents. This means that foreign talents can get hired more easily regardless of their age, educational background, and working experience. At the same time, they can obtain a two-year or longer Foreigner’s Work Permit if they are qualified.
Also, read our previous article on Residence Permit Made Easier for Foreigners in China
