I. Target Applicants
(I) Basic Requirements for Employers
1. The employer must be legally established, have a physical business premise, pay taxes and social insurance in accordance with the law, and have no record of serious violations or dishonesty. The position offered to the foreign national must be of special need, with no suitable local candidates available, and must comply with relevant national regulations. The wage and salary paid to the foreign employee must not be lower than the local minimum wage and salary standard.
2. If laws or regulations require prior approval by the competent industry authority, the employer shall obtain such approval.
(II) Basic Requirements for Applicants
1. The applicant shall be at least 18 years old, in good health, have no criminal record, and have a confirmed employer within China.
2. Foreign talent engaged in scientific and technological cooperation, academic exchange, or innovation and entrepreneurship activities in Shanghai shall meet the Recognition Standards for Foreign High-Level Talent and the Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, and Cutting-Edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial).
3. If laws or regulations specify other conditions for foreigners working in China, such provisions shall apply.
II. Legal Basis
1. 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 Construction of a Globally Influential Science and Technology Innovation Center (H.W.F. [2016] No. 19).
2. The General Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the General Office of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security's Notice on the Pilot Implementation of Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, Cutting-Edge and Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai (G.K.B.C. [2022] No. 178).
3. Notice on the Pilot Implementation of Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, Cutting-Edge and Urgently Needed Foreign Talent in Shanghai
III. Requirements for Submission of Documents
1. Non-Chinese supporting documents shall be accompanied by Chinese translations, bearing the official seal of the employer (excluding passports or international travel documents).
2. Required documents shall be stamped with the employer's official seal.
IV. Application Procedure
1. The employer shall submit the qualification recognition application to the acceptance authority along with the required supporting documents.
2. Within five working days from the date of acceptance, the acceptance authority shall review the submitted materials. If the materials meet the requirements, they will be forwarded to the Shanghai Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs for further review.
3. The Shanghai Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs shall review the materials and make a decision within 10 working days from the date of receipt. Upon approval, the applicant may download and print the Recommendation Letter for Foreign High-Level Talent to Handle Exit-Entry Documents in Shanghai.
V. Required Documents
(I) Legal registration certificate of the employer.
(II) Official application letter from the employer submitted to the Shanghai Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.
(III) Application form for recognition of foreign high-level talent qualifications.
(IV) Information page of the passport or international travel document.
(V) For applicants applying for a work-type residence permit (with the "Talent" annotation), a labor contract or employment certificate shall be provided; for those applying for an R visa, an employment intention agreement or invitation letter from the employing (inviting) entity shall be provided.
(VI) Other Documents: Additional documents as required by the acceptance or decision-making authority based on specific needs.
(VII) Letter of commitment from both the employer and the individual.
(VIII) Supporting documents proving the applicant meets the Recognition Standards for Foreign High-Level Talent or the Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, and Cutting-Edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial), including:
1. Foreign talent who meet the standards for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A) as defined in the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) and the Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, and Cutting-Edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial), specifically:
① Those selected under domestic talent introduction programs;
② Those meeting internationally recognized standards of professional achievement;
③ Foreign talent meeting market-oriented encouraged position requirements;
④ Innovation and entrepreneurship talent;
⑤ Outstanding young talent;
⑥ Those with a point-based score above 85 points;
⑦ Talent recommended by relevant authorities.
2. Well-Known Scholars and Experts
① Recipients of national-level foreign-related awards such as the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award or recipients of national-level funds and projects such as the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars;
② Recipients of provincial or ministerial-level awards such as Shanghai Honorary Citizen, the Magnolia Award, or the Shanghai Science and Technology Award;
③ Foreign experts and scholars selected for national or Shanghai foreign expert programs;
④ Talent who have held leadership or key positions in foreign (overseas) government agencies, well-known international organizations, or non-governmental organizations, or the like in the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions.
3. Science and Technology Innovation Talent
① Renowned experts who enjoy a high reputation in the international academic and technological community, pioneers or founders in specific scientific or technological fields, or those who have made significant contributions to the development of a particular scientific or technological field;
② Experts, scholars, or technical talent with extensive experience in scientific research or engineering technology, who have led major international scientific research or engineering projects;
③ Experts and scholars holding deputy senior professional titles (or above) or key leadership positions, or enjoying equivalent treatment, in Shanghai's education, research, publishing, sports, and healthcare institutions;
④ Foreign core members of national or Shanghai major project teams and leading scientific research and innovation talent teams;
⑤ Scientific and technological talent such as foreign research backbones or foreign engineers with professional knowledge and skills, who are core members of science and technology innovation enterprises;
⑥ Mid- and senior-level management and professional talent of high-tech enterprises or science and technology "little giant" enterprises recognized by the science and technology authorities in Shanghai;
⑦ Individuals with significant technological inventions, patents, independent intellectual property rights, or proprietary technologies, who come to Shanghai to establish enterprises (with registered capital generally not less than USD 200,000, holding no less than 30% personal equity and being the largest shareholder).
4. Enterprise Talent
① Mid- and senior-level management and professional talent of state-owned enterprises, multinational companies’ regional headquarters in Shanghai, R&D centers, or investment companies in Shanghai;
② Mid- and senior-level management and professional talent of foreign-invested advanced technology enterprises, foreign-invested export-oriented enterprises, or enterprises in encouraged industries listed in the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries;
③ Mid- and senior-level management and professional talent of enterprises and individually invested enterprises with registered capital exceeding USD 3 million;
④ Mid- and senior-level management and professional talent of nationally and municipally recognized enterprise engineering research centers (recognized by development and reform authorities), engineering laboratories (recognized by development and reform authorities), engineering technology research centers (recognized by science and technology authorities), enterprise technology centers (recognized by industry and information technology authorities), and Shanghai technology innovation service platforms (recognized by science and technology authorities);
⑤ Mid- and senior-level management and professional talent of special general partnership enterprises such as law firms and accounting firms in Shanghai;
⑥ Highly skilled talent, including senior technicians and technicians with special expertise and advanced skills urgently needed in Shanghai.
5. Young Talent
Foreign talent under the age of 40 who hold a doctoral degree and whose job position is consistent with their field of study.
VI. Requirements for Submission of Supporting Documents
Foreign high-end talent shall submit supporting documents in accordance with the standards for Foreign High-End Talent (Category A) as defined in the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) and the Recognition Standards for Highly Educated, Professionally Competent, and Cutting-Edge Foreign Talent in Shanghai (Trial). If the applicant has already obtained a Work Permit and meets the Category A standards, the Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit of the People's Republic of China (Category: A) can be uploaded directly. Foreign high-end talent applying based on the criterion of "average annual salary income not less than six times the average salary income of urban employees in the previous year in the region" shall also submit tax payment certificates for the previous year.
2. Well-Known Scholars and Experts: Award or project recipients shall provide certificates or proof documents. Experts who have held leadership or important positions in foreign (overseas) government agencies, well-known international organizations, or non-governmental organizations, or the like in the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions shall provide proof of position.
3. Science and Technology Innovation Talent: Experts and scholars, holding deputy senior professional titles (or above) and key leadership positions or enjoying equivalent treatment in Shanghai's education, research, publishing, sports, and healthcare institutions, shall submit appointment letters or proof documents of holding deputy senior professional titles (or equivalent positions). Foreign core members of national or Shanghai major project teams or leading scientific research and innovation teams shall submit proof of the project and proof of their core membership. Scientific and technological talent such as foreign research backbones or engineers with professional knowledge and skills, who are core members of science and technology innovation enterprises, shall submit materials proving their professional knowledge and skills as well as proof of their position in the enterprise core team. High-tech enterprises and science and technology "little giant" enterprises shall provide relevant recognition materials. Individuals with significant technological inventions, patents, independent intellectual property rights, or proprietary technologies, who establish enterprises in Shanghai (with registered capital generally not less than USD 200,000, holding no less than 30% personal equity and being the largest shareholder) shall submit an enterprise capital verification report (paid-in capital) issued within the past 12 months and proof of significant technological inventions, patents, independent intellectual property rights, or proprietary technologies. Talent meeting other recognition standards within this category shall submit corresponding proof materials.
4. Enterprise Talent: For multinational companies' Shanghai regional headquarters, R&D centers, investment companies, foreign-invested encouraged enterprises, foreign-invested advanced technology enterprises, or foreign-invested export-oriented enterprises, relevant approval documents recognized by the commerce authorities shall be submitted. Enterprises and individually invested enterprises with registered capital exceeding USD 3 million shall submit an enterprise capital verification report (paid-in capital) issued within the past 12 months and other supporting documents. Enterprises recognized by national or municipal authorities, including enterprise engineering research centers (recognized by development and reform authorities), engineering laboratories (recognized by development and reform authorities), engineering technology research centers (recognized by science and technology authorities), enterprise technology centers (recognized by industry and information technology authorities), and Shanghai technology innovation service platforms (recognized by science and technology authorities) shall submit corresponding recognition documents. Highly skilled talent, such as senior technicians and technicians with special expertise and advanced skills urgently needed in Shanghai, shall submit relevant certificates or proof of technical skills and expertise.
5. Young Talent: Proof of doctoral degree (academic qualification) shall be provided.
VII. Approval Timeframe
1. Review period: Five working days (based on system review approval).
2. Final approval period: 10 working days.