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New Policy on Permanent Residence for Foreign Talents in Shanghai

2025-11-14
In recent years, China has continued to expand high-level opening-up. Around the goal of "gathering talents from all over the world for utilization", various regions have continuously optimized policies for introducing foreign talents. As an international metropolis, Shanghai, based on implementing national policies and combining its own development orientation, has launched a series of more targeted, streamlined and demand-oriented new policies on permanent residency (Green Card) for foreign talents in 2025. These policies mainly cover high-level talents, overseas Chinese, highly educated talents and general employment groups, providing a clearer path for overseas talents to settle in Shanghai.

  1. High-Level Foreign Talents: Streamlined Procedures with Priority Support

    The new policy in Shanghai further relaxes the requirements for permanent residency applications of "high-level foreign talents". The core highlights are the "3-year + Endorsed Residence Permit" mechanism and the "recommendation by competent authorities" mechanism.

    (1)
    		 Personnel Holding Endorsed Residence Permits

    (a)  Target Group: Foreign high-level talents recognized by the competent authorities of the Chinese government or Shanghai talent authorities, or senior professionals in industries employed by units listed in Shanghai's Sci-Tech Innovation Occupational List (e.g., key fields such as artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and integrated circuits).

    (b)  Core Requirements:
    (i) Having held a work-related residence permit endorsed with "Talent" before application and having worked continuously in Shanghai for 3 years.
    (ii) Abiding by Chinese laws, being in good health, and having no criminal record.
    (iii) Recommended by the current employer.

    (c)  Advantages: No requirement for high salary or tax payment. The policy mainly focuses on the talent recognition qualification and work stability, making it suitable for high-end talents in scientific and technological research & development and management.
    (2)
    		 Other High-Level Talents Recognized by Shanghai

    (a)  In addition to the above-mentioned groups, the following foreigners can also apply directly for permanent residency:
    (i) National-Level Recommendation: Foreigners who have made significant contributions to China's economic or social development and are recommended by the ministries and commissions of the State Council or the Shanghai Municipal Government.
    (ii) Key Regional Recommendation: Foreign high-level talents or urgently needed talents working in national key development zones in Shanghai (such as ZhangJiang High-Tech Zone, Pilot Free Trade Zone, and Lin-gang New Area) and recommended by the administrative authorities.
    (iii) Financial Sector Talents: High-end financial talents recommended by Shanghai's financial regulatory authorities.

    (b)  Family Accompaniment: Spouses and unmarried children under 18 years old can apply for permanent residency together.
    (3)
    		 Interpretation: Through "government endorsement + key industry orientation", Shanghai gives priority to attracting core talents who can promote scientific and technological innovation and financial development. At the same time, it strengthens the talent introduction advantages of national strategic zones such as ZhangJiang, Pilot Free Trade Zone, and Lin-gang New Area.

  2. Overseas Chinese: Focus on National Key Zones, No Salary Restriction

    Different from the policies in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Shanghai's policy on permanent residency for overseas Chinese has no threshold for salary or individual income tax but emphasizes the work area and residence duration. Its core is to serve the Chinese elites who "return to China for development".

    (1)
    		 Eligibility Requirements:

    (a) Work Area: Must work in units located in China's key development zones (e.g., ZhangJiang High-Tech Zone, Pilot Free Trade Zone, Lin-gang New Area in Shanghai) or "Mass Entrepreneurship and Innovation" demonstration bases (e.g., Shanghai ZhangJiang National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone);
    (b) Residence Requirement: Having worked continuously for 4 years and having resided in China for a total of no less than 6 months each year.
    (c) Other Requirements: Abiding by Chinese laws, being in good health, and having no criminal record.
    (2)
    		 Advantages: No rigid requirements for salary or individual income tax. The policy pays more attention to the work area and long-term residence intention, making it suitable for Chinese scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who wish to return to China for development but do not meet the high-salary requirements.
    (3)
    		 Note: Currently, only Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chengdu, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, etc.) provide such preferential policies. Shanghai's policy is in line with that of other key cities in China, while adding flexibility through the "Mass Entrepreneurship and Innovation" bases.

  3. Foreign Doctors and General Employees: Dual Paths Based on Academic Qualification and Income

    The new policy sets separate standards for highly educated talents (doctors) and ordinary foreign employees, taking into account both academic ability and economic contribution.

    (1)
    		 Permanent Residency for Foreign Doctors

    (a) Core Requirements: Foreigners working in Shanghai who hold a doctoral degree, abide by Chinese laws, are in good health, and have no criminal record.
    (b) Advantages: No requirements for work experience, salary, or tax payment. As long as the academic qualification meets the standard, the application can be made, highlighting the emphasis on highly educated scientific research talents.
    (2)
    		 Ordinary Foreign Employees (General High-Income Talents)

    (a)  Target Group: Ordinary foreign employees with stable income and compliant tax payment, without special talent recognition.

    (b)  Core Requirements:
    (i) Having worked continuously for 4 years and having actually resided in China for no less than 6 months each year.
    (ii) Having a pre-tax annual salary income of ≥ 880,000 RMB for 4 consecutive years, and paying individual income tax of ≥ 20% of the income each year (approximately 176,000 RMB per year);
    (iii) Recommended by the current employer.

    (c)  Family Accompaniment: Spouses and minor children can apply for permanent residency together.
    (3)
    		 Interpretation: This policy targets stable employees with high income and high tax payment, such as executives of multinational corporations and senior experts in foreign-funded enterprises. The annual salary threshold of 880,000 RMB (equivalent to approximately 73,000 RMB per month) ensures that applicants make substantial contributions to Shanghai's economy, while the 4-year residence requirement balances the stability of talents and the needs of the city.

  4. Summary: Core Features of Shanghai's New Policy

    (1)
    		 More Precise: It distinguishes between high-level talents, overseas Chinese, doctors, and general employees, matching the needs of different groups.
    (2)
    		 More Streamlined: It reduces cumbersome materials, strengthens the "talent recognition + employer recommendation" mechanism, and shortens the approval cycle.
    (3)
    		 More Open: The policy for overseas Chinese has no salary restriction, and doctors can apply directly with their academic qualifications, reflecting respect for knowledge-based talents.

Disclaimer

All information in this article is only for the purpose of information sharing, instead of professional suggestion. Kaizen will not assume any responsibility for loss or damage.

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