This guide outlines the eligibility criteria, required materials, application procedures, processing timelines, and contact information for the qualification assessment of high-level foreign talent in Shanghai.

I. Eligibility

(I) Employer qualifications

1. The employer must be legally established, maintain a physical business premises, pay taxes and make social insurance contributions in accordance with applicable laws, and have no record of major legal violations or dishonest conduct. The position offered to a foreign national must address a specific business need for which no suitable domestic candidate is readily available and must comply with relevant national regulations. The remuneration provided to the foreign employee must not fall below the local statutory minimum wage.

2. Where industry-specific laws or regulations stipulate that prior approval shall be obtained from the competent authority, such approval must be secured before the application is submitted.

(II) Applicant qualifications

1. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, in good health, have no criminal record, and have a confirmed employer in China.

2. Applicants must satisfy the criteria set forth in either the Shanghai Assessment Standards for Foreign High-level Talent or the Criteria for Identifying Highly Skilled, Sophisticated and Cutting-edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial) (https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-TalentsinShanghai/20260202/55d8057da5f844238ad5dbb70837ebd5.html). The applicant should be a foreign professional coming to Shanghai for scientific and technological cooperation, academic exchange, innovation, or entrepreneurship.

3. Where other laws or regulations govern the employment of foreign nationals in China, those provisions shall apply.

 

II. Legal basis

This qualification assessment is based on:

1. The Notice of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government on Issuing the Implementation Opinions on Further Deepening the Reform of the Talent Development System and Mechanism and Accelerating the Development of a Science and Technology Innovation Center with Global Influence (CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee [2016] No 19).

2. The Notice of the General Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the General Office of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on the Pilot Program for Identifying Highly Skilled, Sophisticated, Cutting-edge and Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai (General Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology [2022] No 178).

3. The Notice on the Pilot Program for Identifying Highly Skilled, Sophisticated, Cutting-edge and Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai.

III. Requirements for submitted materials

1. All supporting documents in languages other than Chinese must be accompanied by Chinese translations bearing the employer's official seal, except passports and international travel documents.

2. All required documents must bear the employer's official seal.

 

IV. Required documents

1. Employer’s legal registration certificate.

2. Employer's application letter to the Shanghai Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.

3. Application Form for the Qualification Assessment for Foreign High-level Talent in Shanghai.

4. Biographical page of the applicant’s passport or other international travel document.

5. For work-type residence permit applications with the "talent" annotation: the labor contract or employment certificate; for an R visa application: the employment intent agreement or an invitation letter from the employing or inviting organization.

6. Other materials as requested by the permit acceptance or decision-making authority.

7. Commitment letter signed by both the employer and the applicant.

8. Relevant materials demonstrating that the applicant meets one of the criteria in the Shanghai Assessment Standards for Foreign High-level Talent or the Criteria for Identifying Highly Skilled, Sophisticated and Cutting-edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial):

(1) High-end Foreign Talent (Category A), as recognized in the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) or the Criteria for Identifying Highly Skilled, Sophisticated and Cutting-edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial)

https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-TalentsinShanghai/20260202/93364ee8a610445a82aed54d4936138a.html

Eligible applicants include those who:

① are selected for domestic talent introduction programs;

② Meet internationally recognized professional achievement criteria;

③ hold positions that are aligned with market demand and encouraged by government policies;

④ are recognized as innovative or entrepreneurial talent;

⑤ are classified as outstanding young talent;

⑥ Score 85 points or above in the points-based evaluation system; and

⑦ are recommended by relevant authorities.

(2) Renowned scholars and experts:

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

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

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

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

(3) Science and technology innovation talent:

① Renowned experts who enjoy international prestige within the academic and technological community, are pioneers or founders of a particular scientific or technological field, or have made significant contributions to its development.

② Experts, scholars, and technical talent who have led major international research or engineering projects and have extensive research and engineering experience.

③ Experts and scholars who hold associate senior or higher professional titles or equivalent positions at Shanghai institutions in education, scientific research, press and publication, sports, or healthcare, or who hold major leadership positions or receive equivalent treatment.

④ Foreign core members of teams undertaking major national or Shanghai municipal projects, or of leading scientific research and innovation teams.

⑤Foreign scientific and technological personnel, such as core research staff and foreign engineers on the core teams of technology innovation enterprises, who possess professional knowledge and skills.

⑥ Middle- and senior-level managers and professionals at Shanghai high-tech enterprises and technology "Little Giant" enterprises recognized by the science and technology authorities.

⑦Individuals with independent intellectual property rights, such as major technological inventions and patents, or proprietary technologies, who have established businesses in Shanghai. The registered capital should generally be at least $200,000, and the individual must be the largest shareholder with a stake of at least 30 percent.

(4) Enterprise talent:

① Middle- and senior-level managers and professionals at Shanghai's State-owned enterprises, regional headquarters of multinational corporations in Shanghai, R&D centers, and investment companies.

② Middle- and senior-level managers and professionals at Shanghai's foreign-invested advanced-technology enterprises, foreign-invested export enterprises, or enterprises in encouraged industries under the Catalogue of Industries for Guiding Foreign Investment.

③ Middle- and senior-level managers and professionals at enterprises, including enterprises established through individual investment, with registered capital of no less than $3 million.

④ Middle- and senior-level managers and professionals at nationally or Shanghai municipally recognized enterprise engineering research centers, engineering laboratories, engineering technology research centers, enterprise technology centers, and Shanghai technology innovation service platforms.

⑤ Middle- and senior-level managers and professionals at special general partnerships in Shanghai, including law firms and accounting firms.

⑥ Highly skilled talent urgently needed in Shanghai, including senior skilled workers and technicians with specialized expertise and advanced skills.

(5) Young talent:

Young professionals aged 40 or under who hold a doctoral degree or equivalent academic qualification and whose positions match their fields of study.

V. Requirements for submission of relevant materials

1. High-end foreign talent must submit supporting materials showing that they meet the relevant Category A criteria under the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) or the Criteria for Identifying Highly Skilled, Sophisticated and Cutting-edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial). Applicants who have obtained a Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit in the People's Republic of China (Category A) may upload it directly. Applicants qualifying on the basis of average wage income of at least six times the previous year's average wage for employees in all urban units in the region must also submit proof of tax payment for the previous year.

2. Renowned scholars and experts must submit certificates or other proof of awards or projects. Those who have held leadership or other significant positions in overseas government agencies, renowned international organizations, or non-governmental organizations must submit proof of appointment.

3. Science and technology innovation talent must submit supporting materials corresponding to the applicable criterion, including, as relevant, appointment or employment certificates; proof of projects undertaken and core-team membership; evidence of professional knowledge and skills and enterprise core-team membership; recognition documents for high-tech enterprises or technology "Little Giant" enterprises; and, for entrepreneurs, a capital verification report issued within the past 12 months showing paid-in registered capital, together with proof of the relevant intellectual property rights or proprietary technologies.

4. Enterprise talent must submit supporting materials applicable to their category. Regional headquarters of multinational corporations, R&D centers, investment companies, encouraged foreign-invested enterprises, foreign-invested advanced-technology enterprises, and foreign-invested export enterprises must submit the relevant approval documents issued by commerce authorities. Enterprises, including those established through individual investment, with registered capital of no less than $3 million are also required to submit a capital verification report issued within the past 12 months confirming paid-in registered capital. Nationally or Shanghai municipally recognized enterprise engineering research centers, engineering laboratories, engineering technology research centers, enterprise technology centers, and Shanghai technology innovation service platforms must submit the relevant recognition documents. Highly skilled talent must submit the relevant technical or vocational certificates and supporting documents.

5. Young talent: Submit proof of a doctoral degree or equivalent academic qualification.

 

VI. Application procedure

1. The employer submits a qualification assessment application to the acceptance authority, together with the required materials.

2. The acceptance authority shall complete its review within five working days from the date of acceptance. Applications meeting the requirements will be forwarded to the Shanghai Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs for review.

3. The Shanghai Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs shall issue its decision within 10 working days of receiving the referred application. Upon approval, the applicant may download and print the Recommendation Letter for Handling Entry and Exit Documents for Shanghai Foreign High-level Talent.

 

VII. Processing timeline

1. Review: five working days, subject to approval in the system.

2. Approval: 10 working days

 

VIII. Contact

1. Application center

Shanghai Science & Technology Administrative Service Center

Address: 1F, Jimao Building, No 1525 West Zhongshan Road, Xuhui district

2. Service hours

Monday to Friday, 9 to 11:30 am and 1:30 to 4:30 pm, excluding public holidays

3. Hotlines

800-820-5114 (Landline)

400-820-5114 (Mobile)

 

 

Updated Nov 5

 

Sources: Shanghai International Talent; Government Online-Offline Shanghai