1. Adjustments to Shanghai’s Employment-based Permanent Residency Policy
The requirements for applying for employment-based permanent residency in Shanghai have undergone important changes, particularly regarding salary and tax thresholds.Salary Requirements: The minimum annual salary required has increased from 600,000 CNY to 880,000 CNY per year.Tax Requirements: Applicants must still meet the condition of paying 20% of the required annual salary in taxes. The tax threshold has been raised from 120,000 CNY to 176,000 CNY.
Residency Requirement: In addition to meeting salary and tax criteria for four consecutive years, applicants must also reside in China for at least six months each year during this period.
2. Extended Processing Time for Spouse Reunification Permanent Residency
The processing time for spouse reunification permanent residency applications has also been extended. In the past, applicants could usually expect to complete the review and receive their permanent residency card within 6 to 9 months after submission.However, this review period has now been extended to up to one year. This change indicates that the scrutiny of spouse reunification applications has become more stringent. Foreign applicants who meet the requirements should begin their applications as soon as possible to avoid delays.
3.Adjustmengt to Approval Time For Hiring Foreigners by New Companies
For new companies hiring foreign workers, the approval process with the Foreign Experts Bureau has seen a change, with the approval time increasing from 2-5 business days to 10 business days. This adjustment will affect companies planning to hire foreigners or foreign entrepreneurs initiating their start-up plans. Businesses need to plan ahead to accommodate the extended approval period and avoid disruption to their pre-arranged schedules.Note: Foreign applicants should also pay attention to the validity of their visas, ensuring that their visas remain valid during the approval process to meet work visa application requirements and avoid complications that could affect their employment or entrepreneurial plans.
4. Update to the Certification of Italian Degrees by the Chinese Ministry of Education’s Overseas Students Service Center
There have been updates to the certification process for degrees obtained in Italy.Generally, the required documents typically included only the degree certificate and personal identification information. However, for those seeking certification of an Italian degree, an additional official graduation letter from the Italian institution is required.This graduation letter must include essential details such as the degree awarded, the field of study, and the date of graduation. If the letter is issued in a language other than Italian, it is recommended that applicants request the institution to provide the degree name in Italian, as the certification process will rely on the Italian language version of the degree.
5. New Requirements for Employment-based Permanent Residency in Shanghai’s Lingang Area
In addition to the existing salary and tax requirements, the applicant’s company must now meet additional conditions.Specifically, the company must ensure that its tax registration, office address, and registered address are all located within the Lingang area. Only when all these conditions are met will the applicant be eligible to apply for permanent residency under the Lingang employment category.If you are planning to apply for Lingang’s employment-based permanent residency or are unsure whether you meet the new requirements, feel free to consult Maggie for further guidance.
