In recent years, in order to attract and retain foreign talent and to promote scientific and technological innovation as well as economic development, local governments in many parts of our country have successively introduced a series of facilitation policies. Among them, the new policy regarding the handling of the criminal record certificate for foreign talent has attracted particular attention. This policy not only significantly shortens the time it takes for foreign talent to join enterprises but also provides them with a more flexible and convenient channel for applying for work visas. So, what exactly does this policy cover, and how can one apply? Let's take a look!
近年来，为了吸引和留住外籍人才，推动科技创新和经济发展，我国多地政府纷纷推出了一系列便利政策。其中，关于外籍人才办理无犯罪记录证明的新政尤为引人注目。这项政策不仅大大缩短了外籍人才入职企业的时间，还为他们提供了更加灵活和便利的工作签证申请通道。那么，这项政策具体包含哪些内容？如何申请？让我们一起来看看！
01Target Population for the No-Criminal-Record Certification System
01 无犯罪证明备案制的目标人群
1. Foreign Researchers and Doctoral Graduates in Key Disciplines
1. 科研团队的外籍科研人员和重点学科博士毕业生
Foreign researchers in scientific research teams and recent doctoral graduates in key disciplines such as science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine are eligible to be directly included within the scope of the "Confirmation Letter for High-End Foreign Talents." They can directly apply for Foreign Talent Visas (R visas) and enjoy benefits such as reduced application materials and simplified procedures.
科研团队的外籍科研人员、理工农医等重点学科的应届博士毕业生等青年外籍人才，可以直接纳入《外国高端人才确认函》的适用范围。他们可以直接申请外国人才签证（R签），并享受材料减免、流程简化等相关待遇。
2. Advantages of the Foreign Talent Visa (R Visa)
2. 外国人才签证（R签）的优势
Foreign talents holding Foreign Talent Visas (R visas) are granted visa validity periods of up to 5 to 10 years, with multiple entries and a maximum stay of 180 days per entry. Their spouses and minor children will also be issued visas of the same validity period and multiple entries.
持有外国人才签证（R签）的外籍人才，签证有效期可长达5年至10年，多次入境，每次停留180天。其配偶及未成年子女也将获发有效期相同、多次入境的相应种类签证。
3. Relaxation of Age, Education, and Work Experience Requirements
3. 放宽年龄、学历和工作经验限制
Employers seeking professional scientific and technological talents may appropriately relax requirements regarding age, education, and work experience. Foreign scientific and technological talents who wish to take part-time jobs or engage in innovation and entrepreneurship in Shanghai do not need to reapply for or change their work permits after unified filing by the employing unit.
用人单位如需专业科技人才，可适当放宽年龄、学历、工作经验的要求。外国科技人才如需在上海兼职工作、创新创业，经聘请单位统一报备后，无需重新办理或变更工作许可证。
4. No-Criminal-Record Certification System
4. 无犯罪记录证明备案制
According to the Version 4.0 policy, foreign scientific and technological talents hired by employers may follow the same procedure as high-end foreign talents (Category A) when applying for work permits in China. A "notification + commitment" system for no-criminal-record certification is implemented. Foreign talents can simply declare "no criminal record" on the application form without the need to submit additional no-criminal-record certificates or authentication materials. The employer's certification is sufficient.
4.0版政策规定，用人单位聘请的外国科技人才可参照外国高端人才（A类），在办理外国人来华工作许可时实施无犯罪记录证明“告知+承诺”制。即外国人才直接在申请表上承诺“无犯罪记录”，无需额外提交无犯罪记录证明及认证材料，用人单位给予证明即可。
5. Highly Skilled Talents with Internationally Recognized Vocational Qualification Certificates
5. 持有国际通用职业技能资格证书的高技能人才
The official launch of the "foreign professional talents" channel for "holders of internationally recognized vocational qualification certificates or urgently needed skilled talents" has been initiated. Foreign highly skilled talents are categorized into three groups: "holders of internationally recognized vocational qualification certificates," "urgently needed skilled talents in this city," and "holders of other internationally recognized vocational qualifications." The age limit for these talents has been further relaxed to 70 years old.
正式启用“外国专业人才”中“持有国际通用职业技能资格证书或急需紧缺的技能型人才”通道。将外国高技能人才分为“持国家通用国外职业资格证书”、“本市急需紧缺的技能型人才”和“持其他国际通用职业技能人才”三类实施准入，并进一步放宽年龄至70周岁。
02Classification Standards for Foreigners' Work Permits in China (Categories A, B, and C)
02 外国人来华工作许可A、B、C三类标准
Category A: High-End Foreign Talents
A类：外国高端人才
High-end foreign talents are those who meet the criteria of being "highly skilled, urgently needed, and scarce," and are oriented towards market demand. They are scientists, leading figures in science and technology, international entrepreneurs, and specialized talents needed for China's economic and social development. They enjoy convenient processing channels such as the "green channel" and "flexible handling," with the maximum duration of the work permit reaching up to 5 years.
外国高端人才是指符合“高精尖缺”和市场需求导向，中国经济社会发展需要的科学家、科技领军人才、国际企业家、专门特殊人才等。他们享有“绿色通道”和“容缺办理”等便捷办理通道，工作许可证最长期限可达5年。
Specific Criteria: A points-based score of over 85 points; Meeting internationally recognized standards of professional achievement; Talents engaged in innovation and entrepreneurship; Outstanding young talents; Foreign talents meeting the demand for encouraged positions oriented by the market; Foreign talents selected under domestic talent introduction programs.
具体判断标准：计点积分85分以上；符合国际公认的专业成就认定标准；创新创业人才；优秀青年人才；符合市场导向的鼓励类岗位需求的外国人才；入选国内人才引进计划。
Category B: Professional Foreign Talents
B类：外国专业人才
Professional foreign talents are those who meet the guidance catalog for foreigners working in China and the specific position requirements, and are urgently needed for economic and social development.
外国专业人才是指符合外国人来华工作指导目录和岗位需求，属于经济社会发展急需的人才。
Specific Criteria: A points-based score of over 60 points; Holding a bachelor's degree or above and having at least 2 years of relevant work experience; Possessing internationally recognized vocational qualification certificates or being urgently needed skilled talents; Foreign language teaching personnel; Foreign talents with an average salary income not less than four times the average salary of the region in the previous year.
具体判断标准：计点积分60分以上；具有学士及以上学位和2年及以上相关工作经历；持有国际通用职业职能资格证书或急需紧缺的技能型人才；外国语言教学人员；平均工资收入不低于本地区上年度社会平均工资收入4倍的外籍人才。
Category C: General Foreign Personnel
C类：外国普通人员
General foreign personnel are those who meet the domestic labor market demand and comply with national policy regulations.
外国普通人员是指满足国内劳动力市场需求，符合国家政策规定的其他外国人员。
Specific Criteria: Foreign personnel who meet the current regulations for working in China; Outstanding graduates with a master's degree from domestic universities; Foreign personnel engaged in temporary or short-term work (not exceeding 90 days); Foreign youth coming to China for internships under intergovernmental agreements; Foreign students and graduates from overseas universities who meet specified conditions; Foreign personnel working in special fields such as offshore fishing, etc.
具体判断标准：符合现行外国人在中国工作管理规定的外国人员；国内硕士优秀毕业生；从事临时性、短期性（不超过90日）工作的外国人员；政府间协议来华实习的外国青年；符合规定条件的外国留学生和境外高校外籍毕业生；远洋捕捞等特殊领域工作的外国人等。
The number of Category C talents is subject to certain limitations. The government will analyze and assess whether a candidate meets the requirements based on the current labor market conditions of the local city.
C类人才数量有一定限制，政府会根据当地城市的劳动力市场现状来分析评估该候选人是否符合要求。
03Checklist for Foreigners' Work Visa Application
03 外国人工作签证申办资料清单
Documents Required by Foreign Applicants:
外籍人士需要准备的资料：
1. Passport and photo
1.护照及照片
2. Academic degree certificate and authentication documents
2.学历证书及认证文件
3. Certificate of no criminal record and authentication documents (The filing system has been implemented, and some talents are exempted from providing this)
3.无犯罪证明及认证文件（已实施备案制，部分人才无需提供）
4. Employment certificate
4.工作证明
5. Medical examination report
5.体检报告
6. Temporary residence certificate
6.临时居住证明
Documents Required by Employers:
用人单位需要准备的资料：
1. Business license
1.营业执照
2. Proof of legal representative's identity
2.法人身份证明
3. Tax payment certificate
3.纳税证明
4. Credit report
4.信用报告
5. Social security certificate
5.社保证明
6. Foreign-related filing
6.涉外备案
7. Employment contract
7.劳动合同
8. Various commitment letters/application forms
8.各类承诺书/申请表
Warm Reminders:
温馨提示
• It is recommended that foreign applicants apply for the corresponding visa type based on their own conditions to ensure a smooth application process for the work visa.
•建议外籍人士根据自身条件申请对应的类型，以确保顺利申请到工作签证。
•Avoid submitting applications casually due to insufficient personal experience, which may result in application rejection or even denial, thereby affecting the success rate of future applications.
•避免因个人经验不足随性递交造成申请退回甚至被拒，以免影响之后的申请成功率。
•If you have any questions, you may contact a professional agency for consultation to obtain more answers and application solutions.
•如有任何疑问，可联系专业机构进行咨询，获取更多解答和申请方案。
Through this new policy, our country has further intensified its efforts to attract foreign talents, providing them with a more convenient and efficient onboarding channel. It is believed that in the near future, more outstanding foreign talents will join the development and construction of our country, jointly promoting the prosperity and progress of the economy and society.
通过这项新政策，我国进一步加大了对外籍人才的吸引力度，为他们提供了更加便捷和高效的入职通道。相信在不久的将来，会有更多优秀的外籍人才加入到我国的发展建设中来，共同推动经济社会的繁荣与进步。
