Shanghai's Hongqiao International Central Business District has been authorized to recommend eligible foreign talent for permanent residency in China. Here is a detailed guide to the qualifications and application process.

Who can apply

Applicants must be in good health, with no criminal record.

1. Special talent

• Foreign high-level talent who have made major contributions to China's economic and social development, or are deemed of major value to the country, as recommended by national departments or the Shanghai Municipal People's Government.
• Foreign high-level talent recommended by the Administrative Committee of Hongqiao International Central Business District or other key national development zone authorities.
• Foreign high-level talent in the financial sector, recommended by Shanghai's financial authorities.

2. Employment category

• Employed professionals: Foreign talent recommended by their current employer and have worked in Shanghai for four consecutive years, staying in China at least six months per year, with an annual income of no less than six times the city's average salary of the previous year for each of the four years, and annual personal income tax payment no less than 20 percent of their annual income.
• PhD holders: Foreign talents currently working in Shanghai holding a PhD degree.
• High-level talent work-type residence permit holders: Foreign high-level talent recognized by relevant Chinese or Shanghai talent authorities, or senior professionals employed by organizations on the list of science and technology innovation occupations issued by relevant Shanghai authorities, who have held a work-type residence permit marked "talent" and worked in Shanghai for three consecutive years as of the application date, and are recommended by their current employer.
• Overseas Chinese: Overseas Chinese who have worked for four consecutive years in key national development zones such as Hongqiao International CBD or in enterprises included in the national entrepreneurship and innovation bases approved by the State Council, living at least six months in China per year.

3. Investor category

Foreign investors who have made direct investments in Shanghai, either personally or as controlling shareholders in companies, maintained stable investments for three consecutive years, with a total investment exceeding $1 million.

4. Others

Spouses and unmarried children under 18 of qualified talent in the above three categories can apply for dependent permanent residence.

How to apply

Location:

Shanghai Public Security Bureau's Overseas Talent Direct Connection Platform (Hongqiao)

Address: 1F, Building G, Hongqiao International Talents Service Center, Hongqiao Lvgu Plaza, No 69 Yonghong Road, Minhang district

Opening hours:

9 am – 11:30 am, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

Contact: 021-3473-8025

Note: Detailed eligibility criteria, required documents, and other application details are available on site or by calling the National Immigration Administration hotline at 12367.

Source: Minhang district government