The Notice on Supporting Convenient and Open Introduction of Foreign Talents to Lin-gang Special Area in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone was officially published at a policy briefing on Sept 20.

According to the Notice, Shanghai will strive for the greatest welfare of foreign talents in Lin-gang Special Area and strive to the special area into a pilot area for introducing foreign talents.

According to Fu Guoqing, deputy director of Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission and deputy director of Shanghai Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, about 215,000 foreigners work in Shanghai, accounting for 23.7 percent of the national total, ranking first in China. Among the more than 160,000 Foreigner's Work Permits issued by Shanghai, about 30,000 are for foreign high-end talents (Category A), accounting for more than 18 percent of the total. Both the number and quality of foreign talents in Shanghai rank first in China. The city has issued the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-Level Talents for more than 500 people, also ranking first nationwide. 58 foreign experts have been awarded the Chinese government's Friendship Award. In 2019, Shanghai ranked first in the "Amazing China – the Most Attractive Chinese Cities for Expats" for the seventh consecutive year.

Lin-gang Special Area's innovative foreign talent policy includes five aspects: increasing efforts to support the introduction of foreign scientific and technological talents, supporting the introduction of foreign research and innovation teams into major projects, granting Lin-gang Special Area administrative power and autonomy in introducing foreign talents, providing convenience for foreign talents to make innovations and start businesses in Lin-gang, and providing more convenient services for employers and foreign talents in Lin-gang.

In terms of increasing efforts to support the introduction of foreign scientific and technological talents, restrictions on the age, education and work experience may be relaxed for foreign talents hired by scientific research institutions, innovation platforms, high-tech enterprises, research and development centers or State-owned enterprises in Lin-gang Special Area, as well as foreign talents in short supply for industrial development in the special area. According to the signing date of the contract, a Foreigner's Work Permit will be granted for two years or longer.

In terms of supporting the introduction of foreign research and innovation teams in major projects, for the first time leading scientific research and innovation talents and their foreign team members are allowed to enjoy the green channel for the Foreigner's Work Permit.

In terms of granting Lin-gang Special Area the administrative power and autonomy in introducing foreign talents, Lin-gang Special Area can recommend its key scientific and technological innovative institutes and companies for places on the List of Scientific and Technological Innovation Professions in Shanghai, according to its industrial orientation. Foreign talents in senior management or technical positions hired by enterprises on the list can be treated as foreign high-level talents and enjoy relevant convenience when applying for a Foreigner's Work Permit. Lin-gang Special Area can give 10 extra points as a local incentive to foreign talents to attract them to work and live in the special area. Lin-gang Special Area can carry out credit-based employer management. Foreign talents employed by employers with high credit can enjoy the convenience of simplifying some materials when applying for work permits.

In terms of providing convenience for foreign talents to make innovations and start businesses in Lin-gang Special Area, as long as the enterprise is established in accordance with the law, the restrictions on age, education and work experience can be relaxed for first-time applicants for the Foreigners' Work Permit. If the company is proven to be operating legally, the permits can be renewed quickly.

In terms of providing more convenient services for employers and foreign talents in Lin-gang Special Area, employers in the special area can use the resources of Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission (Shanghai Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs) to provide a platform to attract talents from overseas. Foreign high-level talents in Lin-gang Special Area can apply for credit cards at the Shanghai branch of the Bank of China, and enjoy preferential measures such as simplified procedures and financial services. The establishment of a service harbor for Foreign Talents in Lin-gang Special Area is supported to carry out pre-job training, legal consulting, cultural exchanges and other social integration activities for foreign talents.