Shenzhen Easing Green Card Applications for Foreigners with PhD

"Those expatriates with PhD degrees who are currently working in Shenzhen, abide by Chinese laws, are in good health, and have no criminal records can apply for permanent residence in China."

The main changes from 2023

There are no criteria for employment years, salary, or taxation.

1. PhD. Holders
Before:
The expats(non-overseas Chinese) holding a PhD must work for consecutive four years in Shenzhen and salary and tax must be met certain standards.

Now:
Only needs to work in Shenzhen, no requirements for work years, salary and tax

Overseas PhD.Holders in SZ Can Apply for Green Card!
Who can apply for it?
1. Foreign nationals with a docoral degree or above
2.Holders of work related residence permit
3. Employed by Shenzhen enterprises

What documents needed?
1. Complete the «Foreigner' s Permanent Residence Application Form in China»
2. Valid passport and work residence permit
3. Ph.D Education certificate certified by a certification agency designated by the national education department and translated by a translation company
4. Valid work permit
5. The employment certificate issued by the current employer
6. The registration certificate of the employer (e.g.a copy of the business license) and the online annual report stamped with the official seal
7. Health certificate issued by the health and quarantine department
8. The country of nationality shall issue a certificate of non-criminal record, which must be certified by the Chinese embassy or consulate in that country (within 6 months)
9. The applicant's personal resume (from the age of 18 to present, with uninterrupted vears and months)
10. Personal tax payment certificate (tax payment period should be 12 consecutive months before application)
11.Information about the applicant's kinship

Visa in China: you only need one document to be a permanent resident
Expats with doctorates and working in Shanghai can now directly apply for Chinese permanent residency, commonly referred to as Chinese green card, according to the official website " Online platform for Government Affairs of Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai Public Security Bureau" (plate -online form for government affairs of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau Entry and Exit Administration Bureau). In this way, neither the length of professional experience nor a minimum wage is required.

This recent policy change is an important development as it removes the previous restriction that limited eligibility to overseas Chinese only.

The new policy allowing expatriates with PhDs to directly obtain Chinese permanent residency in Shanghai represents a significant change in immigration regulations.

Source: Shenzhen Exit-Entry Administration & Isaiah