Foreigners in Beijing offered a simplified residence permit procedure
From cement plants and coal mines to building an innovative economy. With the start of the new five-year plan, Chinese megacities have decided to transition to a new development model with an emphasis on high technology and green production. Officials believe that foreign experts and entrepreneurs can help solve this task.
"China has been striving for years to attract not so much financial capital as human capital," says Wang Huiyao, director of the Center for China and Globalization. "The country now needs talents more and more."
But few decide to move to China. The reason is the lengthy, complex, and multi-step procedures for obtaining a work visa and then a residence permit. Bureaucracy often discourages descendants of Chinese emigrants with Western education who are considering a career in China from returning. By the way, this does not apply to tourist visas, which can be ordered on the website https://anyway.com.ua/tours-by-country/china/viza-kitaj.html.
"China only benefits from the presence of foreign specialists," says James Zimmerman, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China. "We see that overseas Chinese often want to return to the country. Some want to invest, others simply feel more comfortable here culturally. The government should work on this issue, facilitate the movement of people, talents, information, and technology. Perhaps the process has already begun, and the authorities understand how important all this is for the country's development."
The situation has begun to change in the country's largest cities, primarily in Beijing and Shanghai. The administrations of the two megacities are trying to make the stay of foreign experts mutually beneficial and comfortable. For example, the capital's authorities launched a pilot program to issue green cards. So far, it covers only foreign IT experts working in Beijing's Zhongguancun district, which is called China's Silicon Valley.
"It was possible to apply for a green card before," notes Wang Huiyao. "However, the review process took from 6 months to a year. Under the new rules, the maximum term is 50 days. In addition, the Ministry of Public Security plans to open a specialized center in the Zhongguancun district. It will accept applications from foreigners for residence permits. Nothing like this has existed in the country before."
Foreign employees of startups in the Zhongguancun district, foreigners opening businesses there, as well as overseas Chinese with a candidate or doctoral degree can obtain a residence permit on favorable terms. In addition, companies in Beijing's Silicon Valley will have the opportunity to take on foreign interns. Foreigners studying at universities in the Chinese capital will be able to open their own companies in this district and engage in the development and implementation of new technologies.
And although in the near future the preferential program will operate only in Beijing, over time, if it is successful, it will be extended to other regions of the country.