On December 12th, the SFBC team attended the "Immigration Covenience Policy Measures Presentation" and the "Special Seminar on the Integration of Foreigners' Work Permits and 'Card Integration' Policy" organized by the Exit and Entry Administration Office of the Minhang Public Security Bureau in Shanghai. These events covered significant updates on policies related to foreigners, and the editor has summarized them for reference.

1. Increased Threshold for Class A Work Visas

1.A类工作签证门槛提高

在上海，外国人工作签证主要分为三类：A类（高端人才）、B类（专业人才）和C类（普通人员）。每一类签证都有不同的申请条件和要求。

- Class A (Top Talents): Designed for top talents who have made outstanding contributions in fields such as science and technology, education, and culture. For example, foreigners with an annual income exceeding 880,000 RMB (previously, the requirement was only 600,000 RMB).

-A类（高端人才）：适用于科技、教育、文化等领域具有突出贡献的高端人才。例如，年收入超过88万元人民币的高薪酬外国人。（而在这之前年收入仅需达到60万）

- Class B (Professional Talents): Suitable for professionals with a bachelor's degree or higher and more than two years of relevant work experience.

-B类（专业人才）：适用于具有学士学位及以上学历，并且有两年以上相关工作经验的专业人才。

- Class C (General Personnel): Applicable to foreign students who have studied at universities in the Shanghai area and obtained a bachelor's degree, or outstanding graduates who have obtained a bachelor's degree from well-known universities abroad.

-C类（普通人员）：适用于在上海地区高校学习并获得学士学位的外国留学生，或在境外知名高校取得学士学位的优秀毕业生。

2. Foreign PhDs Can Directly Apply for Chinese Permanent Residency and Household Registration

2.外籍博士可直接申请中国永居并落户

For foreigners working in Shanghai who hold a doctoral degree and who comply with Chinese laws, are in good health, and have no criminal record, they may apply for permanent residency in China.

对于在上海工作的外国人，具有博士研究生学历学位，并且遵守中国法律、身体健康、无犯罪记录的，可以申请办理外国人永久居留。

Previously, the China Immigration Administration had released information that only foreign Chinese PhDs could directly apply for permanent residency in China, but now the application requirements have been expanded to include all foreign nationals.

而在这之前，中国移民管理局曾经发布外籍华人博士可直接申请中国永久居留相关话题，而这次申请要求从仅限外籍华人博士放宽至所有外籍人员。

Indeed, for foreigners who wish to live and develop steadily in China, obtaining Chinese permanent residency is the best safeguard. After all, residence permits often face uncertainties such as non-renewal and job changes, which could potentially force one to leave the country.

确实是，因为作为外籍人士，想要稳定地在中国生活与发展，中国永久居留是最好的保障。毕竟，居留许可往往需要面临无法延期、工作转变等一系列突发状况，而有可能不得不被迫出境。

So, what are the application requirements and materials for foreign PhDs applying for Chinese permanent residency? Let's take a look together:

那么外籍博士申请中国永久居留，申请要求及材料是怎么样的呢？下面一起来看看：

Basic List of Application Materials

申办材料基础清单

(1) A completely filled out "Application Form for Permanent Residence for Foreigners in China,"

(1)填写完整的《外国人在中国永久居留申请表》，

(2) A valid passport and work-type residence permit.

(2)有效护照和工作类居留证件。

(3) Original doctoral degree and certification documents.

(3)博士学历学位证书和认证证明原件

(4) A valid "Foreigner's Work Permit."

(4)有效《外国人工作许可证》

(5) A certificate of employment issued by the employer.

(5)工作单位出具的在职证明

(6) A copy of the employer's "Business License" or relevant registration certificate.

(6)工作单位《企业营业执照》副本或有关登记证明

(7) A health certificate issued by domestic entry-exit inspection and quarantine departments.

(7)国内出入境检验检疫部门出具的健康证明

(8) A crime-free certificate from abroad, certified by Chinese embassies or consulates abroad (valid for 6 months from the date of issue). The certificate should clearly verify the applicant's criminal record; the name on the certificate must match the name on the valid passport; if the applicant has changed their name, the former name must be indicated on the certificate.

(8)经中国驻外使（领）馆认证的国外无犯罪（自出具之日起6个月内有效）该证明内容应明确对申请人犯罪记录的核实结果；证明上的姓名须与所持有效护照上的姓名一致；申请人如变更过姓名的，须在该证明上注明曾用名；

Note: If the applicant has resided continuously for more than 2 years in a country or region other than the passport-issuing country after the age of 18, a crime-free record certificate from that country or region is also required.

备注：申请人如满18周岁后在护照所属国以外的国家或地区连续居留2年以上的，还需提供在该国家或地区无犯罪记录证明。

(9) A crime-free record certificate in China (covering all passport numbers used by the applicant during their stay in China).

(9)在中国无犯罪记录证明（需涵盖申请人在中国境内居留期间所使用过的所有护照号码）。

Additionally, the foreign spouse and unmarried children under the age of 18 of the aforementioned individuals, who comply with Chinese law, are in good health, and have no criminal record, may apply for permanent residency in China along with them.

此外，上述人员的外籍配偶及未满18周岁的未婚子女遵守中国法律、身体健康、无犯罪记录的，可随同申请办理外国人永久居留。

3. Integration of Foreigner Work Permits with Social Security Cards

3.外国人工作许可证与社会保障卡融合集成

Starting from December 1, 2024, the integration of foreign work permits with social security cards (hereinafter referred to as "social security cards") will take effect. By loading the work permit information for foreigners coming to China (hereinafter referred to as "work permit") onto the social security card, and relying on both physical and electronic social security cards, convenience is provided for foreigners working and living in China.

自2024年12月1日起，将外国人工作许可证与社会保障卡（以下简称“社保卡”）融合集成，通过将外国人来华工作许可（以下简称“工作许可”）信息加载到社保卡，依托实体社保卡和电子社保卡，为外国人在华工作和生活提供便利。

According to the notice, applications, extensions, changes, and cancellations of work permits will be processed entirely online through the foreigner work management service system in China. After entering China, foreigners can download the electronic social security card App on their mobile phone, register and log in using their name, work permit number, or social security number, and receive the electronic social security card loaded with work permit information after real-name and real-person verification. Once foreigners apply for a physical social security card, the electronic social security card will provide standard services to them. For specific frequently asked questions and operation guidelines, please refer to "Merge Work Permits & Social Security: FAQs for Foreigners."

根据通知，工作许可的申请、延期、变更和注销在外国人来华工作管理服务系统全程网上办理。外国人入境后，通过手机下载电子社保卡App，使用姓名、工作许可号码或社会保障号码等信息注册登录，经实名、实人核验后，领取加载工作许可信息的电子社保卡。外国人申领实体社保卡后，电子社保卡向外国人提供标准服务。具体常见问答和操作指南可以查看《Merge Work Permits & Social Security: FAQs for Foreigners》