Society

Shanghai expats can stay longer

By Yu Ran (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-05 07:38

Foreign talent now able to apply for five-year residence permits

SHANGHAI: Six types of foreign professionals and investors in Shanghai are now eligible to live in the city five years, instead of the usual one year, in a move to help boost economic growth.

Authorities implemented the measures for expatriates on Jan 1 to entice scientific researchers, top managers and investors to stay longer in the city.

Other categories are: individuals with highly specialized skills, celebrities, private investors and foreigners awarded special status in light of their contributions to China. All of these people can apply for five-year residence permits.

One of the changes makes life considerably easier for business owners, who formerly had to prove that they had $30 million of registered capital to apply for the extended permit. This figure was slashed by 90 percent at the turn of the year.

"Now that the number has dropped to $3 million, the range of expats who are eligible to qualify has soared," said a police officer surnamed Zhang from the exit-entry administration bureau of the Shanghai public security bureau.

"Foreigners can now apply to live here for up to five years at a time, instead of just one year."

The extended residence permits were implemented citywide following a successful trial in Shanghai's Pudong New District from July 1. In this interim period, police processed more than 500 of the new five-year permits.

New Zealander Shahla Salih said the move will make foreigners feel more at home in the city.

"I've been trying to make a home for myself here for years and I don't plan on leaving," said Salih, a sales manager at a catering company.

Shanghai saw its population of foreign permanent residents top the 150,000 mark in 2008, up 20,000 from the year before. Figures for last year have not yet been released by the city's bureau of family planning.

Most foreigners live in Shanghai on a short-term basis, using either the tourist (L) or visitor (F) visas, which usually allow them to stay for up to three months.

"I'd say that the current visa policy is pretty good, from a UK citizen's point of view," said Robert Peacock, who works in movie production and holds a one-year residence permit.

"It is a little expensive but not much more than many other places," he said, pointing to the one-year limit as its major drawback.

Like most foreigners working in China, Peacock is not eligible for the longer residence permit even under the revised guidelines, as he does not fall within one of the six categories.

Visas cost about 500 to 600 yuan ($73 to $88) if the foreigner applies by himself. Foreigners who hire an agency to help them get the visa will pay much more.

Environmental consultant David Sutton said getting a Chinese visa has been the bane of his seven-year sojourn in the city.

"It's always one of my biggest concerns," said the 83-year-old American, who finds himself juggling tourist and consultant visas.

"As I don't have a company contract and I'm old, I have more complicated processes to go through if I remain in China."

Those eligible for new residence permits

Shanghai expatriates in these categories can apply for five-year residence permits, instead of the typical one-year visa:

Foreigners who have been named an "Honorary Citizen" for their contributions to the country's prosperity may apply for a five-year residence permit, as may beneficiaries of the Magnolia Honorary Award and Magnolia Memorial Award.

Foreign high-level talent, special talent and foreign celebrities can apply for a residence permit of three to five years, as can those with special or unique talents that are deemed hard to find in China.

Foreign employers of provincial- (ministerial) level scientific research institutions, colleges and universities can apply for residence permits of three to five years, as can national research leaders and teaching staff.

Foreign legal representatives, general managers, vice-presidents or chief financial officers of high-tech enterprises, foreign-invested enterprises, foreign-invested advanced technology enterprises or foreign-invested export enterprises may apply for three- to five-year visas.

Legal representatives, high-level management personnel and researchers of multinational corporations that have their regional headquarters in Shanghai can apply for residence permits of three to five years.

A registered capital of $3 million in business and personal legal representatives of foreign-invested enterprises as well as general managers, vice-presidents, chief financial officers and senior management may apply for a three-year to five-year residence permit.

The above categories of foreign nationals do not need to work or stay in Shanghai. Those applicants who need multiple entries should apply for the three- to five-year multiple-entry valid "F" (visitor) visa.