The Pudong New Area in Shanghai has officially begun issuing the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-Level Talents, authorized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

As the first district in China under city jurisdiction to receive this authority, Pudong is now better equipped to facilitate visa applications for overseas high-level talents.

Foreign talents can benefit from this program if they meet the criteria for high-level talent (Category A) as specified in the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (Trial) or qualify under the Criteria for Identifying Highly-Skilled, Sophisticated and Cutting-edge Foreign Talents in Shanghai (Trial). Additionally, foreign researchers involved in national task teams and young foreign talents who are recent PhD graduates in key disciplines such as science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine are also eligible.

This visa offers several advantages for foreign high-level talents:

Streamlined processing: The qualification review process for foreign talents is reduced to five working days. Visas for high-level talents and their spouses and minor children can be issued as early as the day after application. Procedures related to work permit can be completed in three working days.

Extended visa validity: Foreign talents who meet the relevant criteria can receive a multiple-entry visa valid for five to 10 years.

Longest stay duration: Each visit can last up to 180 days, which is currently the longest single-stay period available for any type of visa.

Cost-free processing: This visa process incurs no fees, meaning foreign talents and their families are exempt from visa and expedited processing charges. Additionally, spouses and minor children can apply for the same type of visa with matching validity and multiple entries.

Applications can be completed entirely online. The inviting organization should access the Service System for Foreigners Working in China (fwp.safea.gov.cn/lhgzweb) and apply for the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-Level Talents. It is important for first-time users of the system to register an organizational account online and complete real-name registration at an offline window. Only after successful verification at the window can the organization  use the system.

The inviting organization should fill in the applicant's basic information, educational background, work experience, application details and other content and upload the required original documents. The reviewing department will subsequently conduct a preliminary check within one working day and will make a decision within five working days. Once approved, the inviting organization can download the confirmation letter for the applicant's visa application.

For detailed guidelines, please refer to the Pudong Talent Service website (pdrcfw.cn) or the Pudong New Area Talent Policy Service Platform (rczc.pudong.gov.cn), or call 021-5860-1282 for inquiries.

Shanghai issued its first batch of Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-Level Talents to eight expats in January 2018.

Source: Official WeChat account of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Pudong New Area Committee