I. Title 

Qualification Assessment for Foreign High-level Talents in Shanghai

II. Regulatory Basis 

These standards are formulated based on the notice issued by the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and Shanghai Municipal People's Government regarding the issuance of the document titled Implementation of Opinions on Further Deepening the Reform of Talent Development System and Mechanism and Accelerating the Construction of a Globally Influential Science and Technology Innovation Center (CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee [2016] No 19).

III. Eligibility Requirements

Foreigners who meet the Shanghai Recognition Standards for Foreign High-level Talents and are engaged in scientific and technological cooperation and academic exchanges, as well as innovation and entrepreneurship activities in Shanghai.

IV. Application Materials

1. Proof of Legal Registration of the Employer;

2. Employer's Application Letter to the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs;

3. Application Form for the Qualification Assessment for Foreign High-level Talents in Shanghai (to be completed in Chinese by the applicant; if the applicant cannot write in Chinese, the employer should fill it out on their behalf, confirmed and signed by the applicant; submit a printed version on A4 paper and an electronic version including a 35mm*45mm photo (smaller 2-inch version); electronic content can be burned to disk or emailed to gccrd@sgst.cn);

4. Copy of valid passport (original required for verification);

5. For those applying for a work-related residence permit (with "talent" annotation), submit a labor contract or employment certificate; for those applying for an R visa, submit a copy of the intent agreement or invitation letter from the employing (inviting) unit (both original versions required for verification);

6. Copies of materials proving the applicant’s compatibility with one of the standards for recognition as Foreign High-level Talents (originals or copies stamped with the employer's official seal required for verification):

(1)Foreign high-end talents: Submit the "Foreigner's Work Permit" (Category A). For those applying with an average wage income not less than 6 times the previous year's local average wage income, provide proof of tax payment for the previous year.

(2)Renowned scholars and experts: Provide certificates or proof of awards and projects won; experts holding leadership or important positions in overseas government agencies, renowned international organizations, and non-governmental organizations should provide proof of employment.

(3)Science and technology innovation talents: 

Associate professors and above should submit appointment letters in education, scientific research, news and publishing, sports and healthcare fields in this city, or other work proof of holding equivalent positions; 

Foreign core members of teams undertaking national or municipal major projects, as well as core members of leading scientific innovation teams should submit proof of their participation and role as core members; 

Foreign scientific and technological personnel such as core research members and foreign engineers of technology innovation enterprises who master professional knowledge and skills should submit proof of their professional knowledge and skills and role as core members of enterprises; 

Those working for high-tech enterprises and technology "Little Giants" (top performers among high-tech SMEs) should provide corresponding materials to prove status of the enterprises; 

Those with independent intellectual property rights such as significant technological inventions and patents, as well as proprietary technologies, and who have started businesses in Shanghai (with registered capital generally not less than $200,000, personal shareholding not less than 30% and being the largest shareholder), should submit investment proof such as enterprise capital verification reports (paid-in registered capital) issued within the past 12 months and proof of individuals holding the relevant IP rights and proprietary technologies; 

Talents meeting other recognition standards within this category should submit relevant corresponding proof.

(4)Corporate talents: 

Regional headquarters of multinational corporations, research centers, investment companies, and encouraged types of foreign-invested enterprises, advanced technology enterprises with foreign investment, or foreign-invested export enterprises should also submit relevant approvals by the commerce departments; 

Enterprises with registered capital of over $3 million should also submit an enterprise capital verification report (actual paid-up capital) issued within the past 12 months and other proof materials; 

Those recognized by the State and this city as corporate engineering research centers (recognized by the development and reform departments), engineering laboratories (certified by the development and reform departments), engineering technology research centers (certified by the science and technology departments), corporate technology centers (certified by the industry and informatization departments), and Shanghai's technology innovation service platforms (certified by the science and technology departments), should also submit recognition materials from relevant departments; 

Highly skilled personnel urgently needed in Shanghai such as senior technicians and craftsmen should also submit certificates or proof of related skills.

(5)Young talents: Submit proof of a doctoral degree (education).

7. Commitment letter from the employer and the individual.

V. Application Site

Shanghai Service Center for Foreigners Working in China:

1st Floor (Windows No 1-4), No 1525 Zhongshan West Road, Xuhui district

3rd Floor (Single Window for matters related to foreigners' work and residence), No 1500 Minsheng Road, Pudong New Area

VI. Opening Hours

Zhongshan West Road: Monday to Friday, 9 am - 11:30 am, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm; 

Minsheng Road: Monday to Thursday, 9 am - 11:30 am, 1 pm – 5 pm; Friday, 9 am -11:30 am, 1 pm – 3 pm; excluding holidays.

VII. Contact Numbers

8008205114 (landline)

4008205114 (mobile)

VIII. Application Workflow

1. The employer submits the application for qualification assessment to the corresponding departments, along with relevant application materials.

2. The departments review the application and decide whether to accept it. If the application materials are complete and meet the requirements, the application will be accepted, and a notice of the acceptance will be issued. If the application materials are incomplete or do not meet the requirements, the applicant will be informed on-site about the deficiencies and how to correct them. The application will be accepted after all the materials are in order.

3. Within 5 working days from the date of acceptance, the accepting department reviews the materials and submits them to the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs for review.

4. The Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs shall decide within 10 working days of receipt of the materials. A "Recommendation Letter for Handling Entry and Exit Documents for Shanghai Foreign High-level Talents" will be issued for approved cases and reasons will be provided for cases not meeting the conditions or standards.

IX. Notes

For the materials provided in languages other than Chinese, translations into Chinese must be provided, complete with the employer's official seal.

Appendix: 

Chinese version: 外籍高层次人才认定标准

English version: Shanghai Assessment Standards for Foreign High-end Talents

Japanese version: 《上海市外国籍高度人材認定標準》

Appendix: Shanghai Assessment Standards for Foreign High-end Talents

The foreign high-level talents specified in this rule must meet one of the following conditions:

I. Foreign High-level Talents (Category A) as per the Classification Standards for Foreigners' Work Permits (Trial)

1. Selected for domestic talent introduction plans;

2. Meet internationally recognized professional achievement criteria;

3. Foreign talents in positions aligned with market demand and encouraged by government policies;

4. Innovative and entrepreneurial talents;

5. Outstanding young talents;

6. Scoring 85 points or above based on a point-scoring system.

II. Renowned Scholars and Experts

1. Recipients of national-level awards such as the China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award, national-level funds and projects such as the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars;

2. Recipients of provincial and ministerial-level awards such as Honorary Citizen of Shanghai, Magnolia Award and Shanghai Science and Technology Awards;

3. Foreign experts and scholars selected for national and municipal foreign expert programs;

4. Talents who have held leadership or significant positions in overseas government agencies, renowned international organizations, or non-governmental organizations.

III. Science and Technology Innovation Talents

1. Internationally renowned experts with a high reputation in academic and technical fields, pioneers or founders in a certain scientific and technological domain, or those who have made significant contributions to the development of a specific scientific and technological field;

2. Experts, scholars, and technical professionals who have led international large-scale scientific research or engineering projects, demonstrating extensive experience in scientific research and engineering;

3. Associate professors and above or those holding equivalent positions in education, scientific research, news publishing, sports, and healthcare fields in Shanghai;

4. Foreign core members of teams undertaking national or municipal major projects, as well as core members of leading scientific innovation teams; 

5. Foreign scientific and technological personnel such as core research members and foreign engineers of technology innovation enterprises who possess professional knowledge and skills;

6. Middle and senior management, and other professionals of Shanghai high-tech enterprises and "Little Giants" enterprises (certified by the science and technology departments);

7. Individuals with independent intellectual property rights and proprietary technologies such as significant technological inventions and patents who have started businesses in Shanghai (With registered capital generally not less than $200,000, personal shareholding not less than 30%, and is the largest shareholder).

IV. Corporate Talents

1. Middle and senior management and other professionals of State-owned enterprises, regional headquarters of multinational corporations, research centers, and investment companies in Shanghai;

2. Middle and senior management and other professionals of advanced technology enterprises with foreign investment, foreign-invested export enterprises, and enterprises encouraged by the Catalogue of Industries for Guiding Foreign Investment;

3. Middle and senior management and other professionals of enterprises with registered capital of over $3 million;

4. Middle and senior management and other professionals recognized by the State or Shanghai as corporate engineering research centers (certified by the development and reform departments), engineering laboratories (certified by the development and reform departments), engineering technology research centers (certified by the science and technology departments), corporate technology centers (certified by the industry and informatization departments), and Shanghai's technology innovation service platforms (certified by the science and technology departments);

5. Middle and senior management and other professionals of specialized general partnership enterprises such as law firms and accounting firms in Shanghai;

6. Highly skilled personnel urgently needed in Shanghai such as senior technicians and craftsmen with special expertise and outstanding skills.

V. Young Talents

Talents under the age of 40 holding a doctoral degree (education) and working in positions matching their field of study.

Source: sgst.cn