No Education, Work, or Age Restrictions for Work Permit!

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ccording to the upgraded measures, high-end foreign Talents will be allowed to work part-time, and those holding foreign talent visas are exempt from work permits. At the same time, employers can hire foreign housekeeping personnel for high-end talents.

For urgently needed foreign professionals, the academic and age limits can be relaxed. Outstanding foreign college graduates are allowed to come to Shandong and start businesses.

The upgraded measures also optimize the service process for foreign talents, including further relaxing the time limit for work and residence permits, simplifying application materials, and reducing the time for approval of work permits.

Here are some main contents of the upgraded measures:

1. For attracting high-end foreign talents

(1) High-end foreign talents are not restricted by age, education, and work experience.

(2) The scope of recognition of high-end talents is expanded.

Foreigners under the age of 40 who meet one of the following conditions can be recognized as outstanding foreign high-end talents, and can apply for confirmation letters for foreign high-end talents following the procedures:

-The important members of major scientific and technological innovation projects above the provincial level (top 3);

– Have a doctorate from a high-level university (subject to the list of foreigners’ work management service system in China, the same below).

(3) Allow foreign high-end talents to work part-time.

High-end foreign talents can work part-time in the jurisdiction (part-time must be about their formal work) or start their businesses without having to re-process with a work permit, after being approved by the employer and reported to the foreign expert management authority at or above the municipal level and the exit-entry administration department.

When the work permit is canceled, the part-time job will become invalid. If necessary, one can re-apply for the work permit including a part-time job.

(4) Exemption of work permit for foreign talent visa holders

Those who hold a foreign talent visa (R visa) are exempt from work permits. Those who need to extend the visa duration in China after the expiry of 180 days, can apply to the local public security immigration management agency for extension seven days before the expiry of the stay period indicated on the visa.

(5) Employers are allowed to hire foreign housekeeping personnel for foreign high-end talents.

The housekeeping personnel can be granted residence and work permits, with the same duration as the high-end talents for whom they work.

2. Support on attracting urgently needed foreign professionals

(1) Relaxation of academic qualifications and age restrictions

For urgently needed innovative and entrepreneurial talents, skilled talents, talents under intergovernmental agreements, there are no academic and age restrictions.

(2) Allow outstanding foreign college graduates to come to Shandong for innovation research and start businesses.

Furthermore, application materials for high-end foreign talent who would like to work in Shandong Province are simplified. And approval time of work permits is shortened.

The upgraded measures will be valid until Sep 30, 2026.