Shanghai Issues Two-Year Category B Work Visas

The Shanghai authorities have extended the duration of a Category B professional talent work visa to two years upon application for a second extension. The initial work permit and first extension will still be issued for a maximum of one year.

In China, the visa duration for foreigners is based on different talent categories, primarily divided into three categories: A, B, and C.

What to Expect

• For Category B (professional talent), the work permit approval period is generally one year. The validity period cannot exceed that of the business license or registration certificate, government approval document, employment contract or assignment letter, and the applicant’s passport or equivalent international travel document.
• The specific scope of foreign professional talent (Category B) includes:

• • Foreign professionals with a bachelor’s degree or above and at least two years of relevant work experience. They must meet one of the following criteria:
    • Managers or professional technical personnel engaged in research, teaching, or management in special fields such as education, scientific research, journalism, publishing, culture, arts, health, and sports.
    • Personnel executing intergovernmental agreements between China and foreign countries, international organization agreements, or China-foreign economic and trade or engineering contracts. Age requirements may be relaxed for individuals dispatched by internationally renowned academic institutions or international organizations in education and science, in accordance with the terms of intergovernmental exchange and cooperation agreements.
    • Personnel hired by representative offices of international organizations in China and representatives of foreign expert organizations stationed in China.
    • Mid-level and above employees dispatched by multinational companies, chief representatives and representatives of foreign companies’ resident offices in China.
    • Foreign management personnel or technical professionals hired by enterprises, public institutions, social organizations, and other entities.

• • Talent with internationally recognized professional skills certifications or those with urgently needed skills.
  • Foreign language teaching personnel. In principle, foreign language teachers should teach the language of their home country. They must hold a bachelor’s degree or above and have at least two years of language education experience. Those who hold a degree in education, language, or pedagogy, or possess a national teaching qualification or a recognized international language teaching certificate, can be exempt from the work experience requirement.
  • Foreign talent whose average salary is at least four times the average local salary from the previous year.
  • Specialized personnel and project implementation personnel in compliance with the regulations of relevant national departments.
  • Professionals who score over 60 points on the points-based evaluation system.

Erickson Insights & Analysis

Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.