CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- In order to provide convenience for foreign talents to start up businesses in Chongqing, the Provincial Human Resources and Social Security Department officially implemented the foreign talent visa system in March. In the future, qualified high-end foreign talents will be granted a talent visa for a maximum of 180 days, with repeat visits for a period of 5 to 10 years. Their spouses and minor children may also be issued the related visas.

Foreign experts can stay for up to 180 days each time.

According to the Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, the applicant should meet the criteria for foreign high-end talents (Class A) in the Classification Standard for Foreigners Working in China (Trial). They should be high-level foreign talents who can meet the economic and social development requirements, such as scientists, leading talents in science and technology, international entrepreneurs, and those with specialized talents.

The visas for foreign high-end talents show the following highlights: First, the longest validity period: Overseas Foreign Visa Agencies will grant a visa with repeat visits for a period of 5 to 10 years to qualified applicants who meet the requirements of “Foreign High-end Talent Confirmation Letter” or the other materials signed by provincial-level human resources and social security departments.

Secondly, the longest stay: A foreign expert who enters with an R visa is allowed to stay for a maximum of 180 days at a time, which is currently the longest period for a single visit among all the visa types. Thirdly, the shortest audit & certificate period: After the company submits the application, the Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs will compress the audit & certificate period from 15 working days to 5 working days. With the “Foreign High-end Talent Confirmation Letter”, experts can apply for the visa from overseas foreign visa agencies with a minimum 2 days’ audit & certificate period. With the R-visa, all the relevant affairs can be completed within 3 working days. The fourth is the most preferential treatment-free charge: the experts and their families who meet the R visa application conditions are exempted from paying visa fees and urgent expenses.

Handling processes.

First of all, the inviting agency will apply to the Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs and submit the application form, invitation letter and personnel identification standards and other materials to the “Service System for Foreigners Working in China”. The Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs will issue a “Foreign High-end Talent Confirmation Letter” on-line to qualify applicants through online acceptance, online review, and online decision procedures within 5 working days and will send the confirmation letter to the Chinese embassy or the other overseas foreign visa agencies where the applicant is located.

Afterwards, the domestic inviting agency will send the “Foreign High-end Talent Confirmation Letter” to the applicant. Then the applicant needs to print it and bring the required materials to the oversea embassies, consulates, or other overseas agencies entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to apply for the R-visa. Oversea visa agencies will issue visas within 2 working days.

Chongqing has issued 9 “confirmation letters”.

According to the Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, since the formal implementation of the foreign talent visa system in Chongqing on March 1st, the city has issued nine “Foreign High-end Talent Confirmation Letters”, which are mainly distributed in universities and enterprises in our city. Among the foreign talents who have received the confirmation letters, there are foreigners who are selected for the domestic talent introduction program or meet the needs of market-oriented encouragement posts.

According to statistics, among the foreign experts who worked in Chongqing in 2017, there were 134 qualified talents that met the requirements of talent visas. Before the implementation of the “Talent Visa System”, foreign high-end talent handling procedures were consistent with ordinary foreigners’ handling procedures, which took at least 30 working days. After the implementation of the “talent visa”, handling procedures were greatly simplified. All the procedures can be completed within 15 working days from the application of the “Foreign High-end Talent Confirmation Letter” to getting the “work-type residence permits”. (Translated by Gao Jiao, Fathom Language Limited)