The Ministry of Public Security  announced at a recent press conference that 12 measures of immigration policies will be rolled out nationwide on 1 August 2019, to further  encourage high-skilled foreign nationals to engage in innovative and  entrepreneurial activities in China. They are the first group of a  series of policies in this area to be introduced by China and have drawn  wide interest.

Twelve Measures of Immigration Policies Issued by

The National Immigration Administration of the Ministry of Public Security

(Effective Nationwide on 1 August 2019)

1. Foreign nationals with advanced professional skills or outstanding achievements, or having exceptional ability needed for China's national  development may apply to the immigration department of China's public security authorities for permanent residency in China upon  recommendation by the competent national authorities, provincial  people's governments or the administrative departments of key  development regions approved by the central government. Their foreign  spouses and underage children may file applications together with them.

2. Foreign nationals who have worked in China for four consecutive years  and stayed in China for no less than six months in each of the four  years, with an annual salary income of at least six times the average salary of the previous year earned by urban employees in the same area  and annual personal income tax payment of no less than 20% of their  standard annual salary income, may apply to the immigration department  of China's public security authorities for permanent residency in China.  Their foreign spouses and underage children may file applications  together with them.

3. Chinese with foreign nationalities who work in China, have doctoral  degrees or have worked continuously for four years in key development  regions of China approved by the central government and have stayed in China for at least six months in each of the four years, may apply to  the immigration department of China's public security authorities for  permanent residency in China. Their foreign spouses and underage  children may file applications together with them.

4. Foreign experts and scholars invited by well-established institutions  of higher learning, scientific research institutes or well-known  companies in China, and high-skilled foreign management and technology professionals recognized by the human resource or the technology  innovation departments of the people's governments at or above the  municipal (with districts underneath) level may apply to the visa  department of China's public security authorities at the port of entry  for an entry visa. After entering China, they may apply to the  immigration department of China's public security authorities for a  multiple-entry visa or a residence permit valid for up to five years  with documents including certificate letters issued by the organizations  that sent the invitation.

5. Foreign professionals and members of innovative and entrepreneurial  teams working for key sectors or industries in China may, with documents  including their work permits and letters issued by the employers, apply  to the immigration department of China's public security authorities  for a residence permit valid for up to five years. Foreign members of  the innovative and entrepreneurial team may also apply for a residence permit valid for up to five years with guarantee letters issued by the  head of the team.

6. Foreign nationals who have made outstanding achievements or having  exceptional ability needed for China's national development may  recommend to the immigration department of China's public security authorities a long-term visa or residence permit valid for up to five  years for foreign members of their team and their research assistants.

7. Foreign nationals employed by companies or public institutions in China  who have received their work permits but have no time to get their work  visa outside China may, with their work permit, apply to the immigration department of China's public security authorities for an  employment-based residence permit. Those who have received two  consecutive employment-based residence permits, each valid for more than  one year, and have no record of violating laws and regulations in  China, may at the third application, apply to the immigration department  of China's public security authorities for an employment-based  residence permit valid for five years.

8. Foreign nationals with advanced professional skills working in  well-established institutions of higher learning, scientific research  institutes or well-known companies in China may engage in innovative and entrepreneurial activities on a part-time basis upon the consent of  both their full-time and part-time employers and after reporting to the  entry-exit administration authorities of China's public security  authorities for record-keeping.

9. Outstanding foreign students who have received bachelor's degrees or  above from well-established Chinese institutions of higher learning and  engaged in innovative and entrepreneurial activities in China after graduation may, with their university diplomas and supporting documents  proving their engagement in innovative and entrepreneurial activities,  apply to the immigration department of China's public security  authorities for a residence permit valid for two to five years.

10. Foreign students who have graduated from internationally renowned  universities and come to China for innovative and entrepreneurial  activities within two years after graduation may, with documents  including their academic certificates (diplomas), apply to the  immigration department of China's public security authorities for a  residence permit valid for up to two years.

11. Foreign students of overseas universities who come to China for  internship at the invitation of well-known companies or public  institutions in China may apply to the immigration department of China's  public security authorities for a visa valid for one year with  documents including letters issued by the organizations that sent the  invitation and confirmation letters from their universities. Foreign  students of overseas universities who come to China for internship under  intergovernmental agreements may apply for an employment-based residence permit according to existing regulations.

12.  In areas of large communities of expatriates, efforts will be made  towards setting up immigration service centers (sites) to offer foreign  nationals policy consultancy, travel information, legal aid and language  and culture services for their convenience during their stay in China.

(All  information in this document is authentic in Chinese. English is  provided for reference only. In case of any discrepancy, the Chinese  version shall prevail.)