Acquiring a working visa in China is typically a very long and difficult process given the massive amount of paperwork and bureaucracy that comes with it. Now, the Chinese government aims to eliminate all of that to streamline the application process to get more foreign workers into the country as quick and as easy as possible.
Authorities have unveiled new plans to cut the red tape in acquiring working visas in China. The plan was outlined in a policy document released on Sunday, which included several pilot programs aimed at boosting foreign employment in the Yangtze River Delta region. The plan will include major commercial hubs located in the region such as Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Shanghai.
The policy document, which was approved by the State Council and the Central Committee of the Communist Party, outlined new measures that will streamline various working visa application processes. This includes applications for work permits, permanent residency, and employment permits for foreign workers.
According to the document, all of the measures are aimed at attracting more international talent to the major cities across China's Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces. To achieve this goal, the the government aims to provide support for the establishment of more foreigner-friendly facilities such as hospitals and schools across the mentioned regions.
The government also plans to roll out new measures to enhance the country's immigration process to streamline the entry of new foreign talents. Another incentive that is being explored is the possible provision of tax and housing subsidies for foreign workers employed at the country's free-trade zones.
Foreign companies and analysts have long stated that China should impose more measures to cut bureaucracies amongst its different processes to boost its global opening-up strategy. So far, the different processes have slowly been improved as the country begins to recognize the economic benefits of having more foreign talents.
Sources within foreign-run companies have stated that the new measures are definitely a smart way to bring in more foreign talents. Innovation within the international companies operating in China is mainly driven by the people that work there, which means that providing them with support will only serve to spur more innovation.
One of the key issues that have been expressed by foreigners currently working in China is the availability of information in English. A foreign national working in Hangzhou had mentioned that China does have all of the necessary information available, but it is unfortunately not published in English. Another complaint brought up by a foreign worker, who did not wish to be identified, is the required yearly renewal of permits. The foreign national working in Shanghai stated that the process was very inconvenient, time-consuming, and expensive.
