This guide applies to the Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents, which is issued to legally established employers in China, who are applying for an R visa on behalf of high-end overseas talent.

 

1. Requirements for inviting employers

(1) Employers should be legally established, have a physical business location, comply with tax and social insurance regulations, and have no record of serious violations or dishonesty.

(2) Industry-specific approval should be acquired if necessary.

2. Requirements for applicants

(1) Applicants should be at least 18 years old, in good health, have no criminal record, be employed in China, and have a positive credit history.

(2) Applicants should be overseas high-level talent or urgently needed professionals, such as scientists, technology leaders, international entrepreneurs, specialists, and highly skilled workers. They should meet the standards set by the Evaluation Criteria for Foreigners Employed in China (Trial) and the Criteria for Identifying Highly Skilled, Sophisticated, and Cutting-edge Foreign Talents in Shanghai (Trial) under Category A.

(3) Overseas researchers in national task forces and young oversea talent, such as recent PhD graduates in key fields like science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine, can apply directly for the confirmation letter after being verified by the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. The issued R visa can be valid for up to 10 years.

(4) Other applicable laws and regulations on foreign employment in China take precedence.

 

1. Application form for confirmation letter: Completed online, printed, signed by the applicant (scanned or faxed copies accepted), and stamped by the employer before uploading.

2. Invitation letter from the employer: Issued and stamped by the employer before uploading.

3. Supporting documents for R visa eligibility:

• For applicants selected under China's talent programs: Relevant certificates, official notices, or proof of selection.
• For applicants meeting internationally recognized professional achievement criteria: Certificates or awards verifying achievements.
• For market-driven overseas talent in encouraged positions: Proof of employer qualifications, organizational chart, labor contract, or appointment letter, as well as proof of previous work experience in China, if applicable.
• For innovation and entrepreneurial talent: Investment proof of the employers such as a capital verification report from the past 12 months, along with patents, technical inventions, or intellectual property ownership certificates of the applicants.
• For outstanding young talent: Highest degree certificate and relevant authentication, school ranking proof (if required), and academic performance records for outstanding graduates.
• For applicants who score 85 points or higher under the points-based system for the Foreigner's Work Permit, relevant proof of points is required.

4. The applicant's passport or international travel document: A scanned copy of the information page. The passport's validity should be at least six months.

5. Recent photo: A digital, color, front-facing photo taken within the past six months, with a white background and no borders. The image should be clear, free of blemishes, and without head coverings (except for religious reasons, ensuring full facial visibility).

6. Other documents: Additional materials may be requested by the processing or issuing authority.

Document submission requirements

• Submit all original documents and their Chinese translations electronically to the Service System for Foreigners Working in China.
• Non-Chinese documents should be accompanied by a Chinese translation stamped with the employer's official seal (except passports and international travel documents).
• The application process is entirely online; no physical document submissions are required.

 

1. First-time users of the Service System for Foreigners Working in China should register their employer account on the National Human Resources and Social Security Public Service Platform.

2. After submitting employer information and necessary documents, employers should visit a designated branch of the Shanghai Human Resources Development Service Center with the original enterprise registration form and stamped copies of all required documents for real-name registration. No further notification will be issued upon approval.

3. Employers should refer to the Guide to Application for Foreigner's Work Permit (Trial) for registration requirements. Employers or authorized agencies should complete the online registration before using the system.

4. Employers should apply through the "外国高端人才确认函" (Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents) section in the Service System for Foreigners Working in China.

5. Employers should accurately complete the applicant details, including education and work experience, and upload color scans of original documents.

6. Once all documents are uploaded, employers can submit the application for review. The issuing authority will assess and approve the confirmation letter application.

 

1. Applicants scoring 85 points or above should provide the highest academic degree certificate, vocational qualifications, Chinese proficiency certificate (HSK), labor contract (or dispatch letter), proof of annual salary in China, and work qualification certificate, among other documents.

2. Local incentive points may apply for talents urgently needed for Shanghai's economic and social development. Industry associations recognized by higher-level authorities or industry departments may provide a recommendation letter, granting applicants an additional 10 points. This includes foreign nationals invited by foreign-funded R&D centers, State-owned enterprises and subsidiaries, global/regional headquarters of the world's top 500 companies, national high-tech enterprises, State-recognized enterprise engineering research centers, and local technological innovation platforms. It also includes innovative talents recommended by district-level talent authorities and others with special expertise urgently needed in Shanghai.

3. Foreign nationals entering China with an R visa should have their employer apply for a Foreigner's Work Permit.

4. If discrepancies are found between the Chinese translation and the original documents, the authority may request the employer to submit corrections.

5. After online approval, employers can print the automatically generated Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents.

6. For more details on policies, guides, sample forms, and commitment letters related to the Foreigner's Work Permit, please visit the Shanghai International Talent website.

7. Employers and overseas talent should ensure the accuracy of submitted documents and commitments. They should actively cooperate with the approving authorities during interviews and inspections. If any false promises are made, the authorities can cancel the administrative decision and suspend the processing of work permits for employers, agents, and overseas individuals. Legal violations will be addressed according to the law.

8. Examination and approval period:

• Preliminary review: One workday (after submission of complete and qualified documents).
• Review period: Five workdays (from the date documents are accepted online).
• In special circumstances requiring an extension, the receiving or decision-making authority will handle the matter accordingly.

 

Source: sh-italent.com