I. "Five - Star Card" for Foreign Talents
I.外籍人才“五星卡”
1. Pathways to Talent - Category "Five - Star Card"
1.人才类“五星卡”途径
01 Employed Personnel:
01就业人员
Foreigners working in Shanghai who have worked continuously for four years, resided in China for no less than six months each year, earned an annual salary income of no less than six times the average annual salary of employees in the urban area of the region in the previous year (880,000 yuan), and paid individual income tax of no less than 20% of the annual salary income standard (176,000 yuan per year) may apply for permanent residence in China.
在上海工作的外国人，连续工作满4年，每年实际居住不少于6个月，工资性年收入不低于上一年度所在地区城镇在岗职工平均工资的六倍（88W），年缴纳个人所得税不低于工资性年收入标准的20%，可申请在华永久居留。
Core Materials Required
所需核心材料
A recommendation letter from the current employer
现单位推荐函
Work residence permit (worked continuously in Shanghai for four years)
工作居留许可（连续4年在上海工作）
Proof of income (annual income exceeding 880,000 yuan for four consecutive years)
收入证明（连续4年年收入超过88W）
Individual income tax (paid individual income tax of no less than 176,000 yuan per year for four consecutive years)
个人所得税（连续4年缴纳个人所得税不低于17.6W）
02 Doctoral - Degree - Holding Talents
02 博士学历人才
Foreigners with a doctoral degree working in Shanghai may directly apply for permanent residence.
在上海工作的具有博士研究生学历学位的外国人，可直接申请永久居留。
Highlights: No work experience duration requirements and no salary standard restrictions.
亮点：无需工作经验年限要求，也不受工资标准限制
Core Materials Required
所需核心材料
Valid passport and work - related residence documents
有效护照和工作类居留证件
Doctoral degree certificate and educational degree certification from the Ministry of Education
博士学历学位证书及教育部学历认证
If issued by a domestic educational institution, a China Higher Education Qualification Certification Report must be provided.
境内教育机构出具的须提供给《中国高等教育学历认证报告》
If issued by an overseas educational institution, a Foreign Qualification Certification from the Ministry of Education's Center for Students and Academic Affairs must be provided.
境外教育机构出具的，须提供教育部留学服务中心出具的《国外学历学位认证书》
Foreigner's Work Permit and proof of employment
《外国人工作许可证》及在职证明
A copy of the business license and the annual report for the past year
企业营业执照副本及最近1年年度报告
A health certificate valid for 6 months and a certificate of no criminal record (must be certified by the embassy)
6个月内有效的健康证明及无犯罪记录证明（需经使馆认证）
03 "Double Innovation" and "Double Self - reliance" Workers in Key Development Areas
03 “双创”区域“双自”工作者
Chinese - origin foreign talents working in key national development areas (such as the Shanghai Zhangjiang National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Lingang New Area, etc.) or "double innovation" bases approved by the State Council can apply if they meet the following conditions:
在国家重点发展区域（如上海张江国家自主创新示范区、中国（上海）自由贸易试验区、中国（上海）自由贸易试验区临港新片区等）或国务院批准设立的“双创”示范基地工作的华人，满足以下条件即可申请：
Worked continuously for four years in a unit within the zone
在区内单位连续工作满4年
Resided in China for no less than six months cumulatively each year
每年在中国境内实际居住累计不少于6个月
Have a good tax - payment record and no criminal record
纳税记录良好，无犯罪记录
Core Materials Required
所需核心材料
Proof of overseas Chinese status issued by the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (or original Chinese passport, proof of household registration cancellation)
上海市侨办出具的外籍华人证明（或原中国护照、户籍注销证明）
Proof of permanent residence application for overseas Chinese issued by the "double innovation" competent authority
双创主管部门出具的《外籍华人申请永久居留证明》
Foreigner's Work Permit and tax - payment proof for four consecutive years
连续4年的《外国人工作许可证》及完税证明
04 Personnel with Annotated Residence Permits
04 加注类居留许可人员
Senior professional talents in the science and technology innovation industry, employed and guaranteed by units on the science and technology innovation occupation list formulated by the Shanghai science and technology innovation competent department, who have worked continuously in Shanghai for three years with an annotated "talent" work - related residence document, may apply for permanent residence in China with a recommendation from their current employer.
上海科技创新主管部门制定的科技创新职业清单所属单位聘雇并担保的行业高级专业人才，申请之日前持加注“人才”的工作类居留证件连续在上海工作满3年，经现工作单位推荐，可申请在华永久居留。
Core Materials Required
所需核心材料
A recommendation letter from the current employer
现单位推荐函
Proof of high - level foreign talent or senior professional talent in the science and technology innovation industry
外籍高层次人才，或科技创新行业高级专业人才证明
Annotated "talent" work residence permit obtained for continuous work in Shanghai for three years
连续3年在上海工作办理的加注“人才”的工作居留许可
2. Facilitation of Permanent Residence Application Documents:
2.永久居留申请文件便利
Foreigners applying for permanent residence may submit proof documents such as criminal record, marital status, birth, kinship, or adoption relationship issued by the relevant competent authorities of their home countries and authenticated by the Chinese embassy (consulate) in that country.
申请永久居留的外籍人员，其提交的国外无犯罪记录、婚姻状况、出生、亲属关系或收养关系等证明文件，可以由相关国家主管部门出具，并经过中国驻当地使（领）馆认证。
They may also submit proof documents issued by the foreigner's embassy (consulate) in China.
也可以提交由外籍人员所属驻华使（领）馆出具的证明。
II. New Policies for Residence Permits in Science and Innovation
二、居留许可科创新政
1. "Two - Year - to - Five - Year" Policy:
1.“满二进五”政策
01 Foreigners who have applied for work residence permits in the same company twice consecutively (for a cumulative period of over two years) and are applying for the third time.
01已连续两次在同一家公司申请工作居留（累计两年以上），第三次申请时。
02 The upper age limit is 60 years old (for high - level foreign talents, such as those with Category A employment certificates exceeding 60 years old, the age limit may be appropriately extended to match the employment certificate duration).
02 60岁为上限（外籍高层次人才，如就业证A类超过60岁，可酌情就高办理至就业证时间）
03 No violations of laws and regulations and company guarantee (both company - and individual - based applications must specify the exact policy and the number of years applied for).
03无违法违规问题并公司担保（公司申请、个人申请都需注明具体政策及办理几年）
2. "Five - Year - for - Chinese - Origin" Policy:
2.“华人五年”政策
01 Chinese - origin foreigners applying for work residence permits.
01 华人申请工作居留许可时
02 The upper age limit is 60 years old (for high - level foreign talents, such as those with Category A employment certificates exceeding 60 years old, the age limit may be appropriately extended to match the employment certificate duration).
02 60岁为上限（外籍高层次人才，如就业证A类超过60岁，可酌情就高办理至就业证时间）
03 No violations of laws and regulations and company guarantee (both company - and individual - based applications must specify the exact policy and the number of years applied for).
03 无违法违规问题并公司担保（公司申请、个人申请都需注明具体政策及办理几年）
III. Employment of Foreign Interns
三、外籍实习生聘用
1. Employment of Foreign Students Who Have Studied in China:
1.企业聘用已在中国留学的学生
According to Article 22 of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, foreigners holding study - related residence permits who need to do internships outside the school should obtain the consent of their school and then apply to the exit - entry administration of the public security organ for the annotation of internship location, duration, and other information on their residence permits. In practice, the participation of both the foreign students and the employing units is required.
《中华人民共和国外国人入境出境管理条例》第二十二条规定，持学习类居留证件的外国人需要在校外实习的，应当经所在学校同意后，向公安机关出入境管理机构申请居留证件加注实习地点、期限等信息。实际办理过程中需要留学生和用人单位的共同参与。
Note:
注意：
X2 (short - term study visa) cannot be directly annotated for internships.
X2（短期留学签证）不能直接加注实习
Materials Required: Proof documents from the foreign student management department + proof documents from the internship unit
材料：留学生管理部门出具的证明文件+实习单位的证明文件
Specify the internship position, working hours, internship allowance, supervisor's signature, and contact information.
写明具体实习岗位、工作时长、实习津贴、负责人签名、联系方式。
2. Employment of Foreign Students Studying Abroad
2.企业聘用海外大学就读的外国学生
Foreign students studying at overseas universities (listed on the China Study Website) who are invited by Shanghai enterprises and institutions to do internships.
在境外高校（中国留学网）就读，收上海企事业邀请前来实习的外国学生。
S2 (private affairs visa) annotated for internships.
S2（私人事务签证）加注实习
Materials Required: Proof of enrollment at an overseas university + proof documents from the internship unit and internship activity arrangement plan.
材料：境外高校在读证明+实习单位的证明文件和实习活动安排计划
IV. Implementation of Unilateral Visa - Free Policy
四、单方面免签政策实施
As of June 1, 2025, citizens from 43 countries are eligible for the unilateral visa - free policy to enter China for business, tourism, visiting friends and relatives, exchange visits, and transit, with a stay not exceeding 30 days.
截至2025年6月1日已有43国人员可适用单方面免签政策来华，用于经商、旅游、探亲访友、交流访问及过境，不超过30天。
V. Comprehensive Guide for Electronic Port - of - Entry Visas for Foreigners (M/F/R/Z/S2)
五、外籍人士电子口岸签证（M/F/R/Z/S2）全攻略
1. Types of Port - of - Entry Visas:
1.口岸签证种类
Currently, port - of - entry visas can be issued for F (visit), M (business), R (talent), Z (work), S2 (private affairs), and Q2 (reunion) visas.
目前，口岸签证可以签发F字（访问）、M字（商贸）、R字（人才）、Z字（工作）、S2字（私人事务）、Q2字（团聚）签证。
2. Basic Policies for Port - of - Entry Visas:
2.口岸签证基本政策
01 Issuance Mode:
01签发模式：
On - site or pre - application.
现场或预先申请
Group tour visas can be pre - issued.
团体旅游签证可以预先签发
Electronic visas are pre - issued.
电子签证为预先签发
02 Target Audience:
02 适用对象：
Foreigners coming to China for short - term business, investigation, visit, conference attendance, and visiting relatives.
适用于短期来华商务、考察、访问、参会及探亲的外国人
Single - entry valid, with a stay of 30 days.
一次入境有效、停留30天
03 Review Requirements:
03 审核要求：
Short review period (usually 3 - 5 days, and can be processed immediately in special cases).
审核时限短（一般需要3-5日，遇特殊情况可即时办理）；
Can be applied for by the inviting unit (person) within China.
可以由中国境内邀请单位（人）代为申请；
Relatively simple application materials.
申请材料比较简单