New Visa process hailed in Changchun new area

Improved exit-entry policies attract high-quality foreign workers, students

Chomba, a Zambian student on a master's degree program at Jilin University, was delighted to learn that Changchun New Area has released new exit and entry policies for foreign personnel.

Approved by the Ministry of Public Security, the seven new policies on exit and entry to support the development of the new area were issued on Dec 12.

Previously, the visa renewal process involved complicated procedures for international students or foreigners who wanted to work in the zone. Now that the new policies have been issued, Chomba, who is preparing for her doctoral candidate entrance examination, plans to stay in Changchun, capital of Jilin province, and start her career in the new area.

Global professionals working in Changchun have widely applauded Jilin's and Changchun New Area's seven new exit and entry policies for foreigners. They said the new policy helps them to feel a sense of belonging.

Bayin Chaolu, Party chief of Jilin province, said that the province will focus on its strategy of driving development by serving innovative personnel, to support a new round of rejuvenation in Jilin. He said the province will construct platforms at the provincial, city and county levels to support personnel management reform, and to serve professionals and their innovative startups.

Changchun New Area has attracted 270 foreign enterprises, 39 Fortune 500 companies and 6,000 high-end professionals.

Liu Peizhu, Jilin Party committee member and deputy director of the province's Public Security Department, said at a news conference on Dec 12: "Changchun New Area, as the economic development demonstration zone in Jilin and an important engine for rejuvenating industry in Northeast China, has a growing demand for high-end technologies and innovative personnel, which are crucial for its industrial optimization and upgrading."

Jilin's Public Security Department surveyed the actual needs related to the exit and entry permit process in Changchun New Area and assessed relevant State departments' preferential policies.

According to Liu, foreign personnel, along with their spouses and young children, can directly apply for permanent residence in China if they are recommended by Changchun New Area's administrative committee. The new area has listed qualifying criteria to identify professionals from overseas who meet the application standards for Changchun New Area.

Liu said that the policy lowers the threshold for foreigners' access and simplifies the application procedure for permanent residence.

Foreigners who work in Changchun New Area for four years consecutively - and spend six months or more every year in China - can apply for permanent residence in China for themselves, their spouses and their young children, following their companies' recommendation. They need to have a stable income and accommodation, and their annual salary and personal income tax have to meet prescribed standards.

"It is helpful to set up a concise and transparent application channel for foreigners," said Miao Honghui, head of the human resources management department at the business school of Jilin University.

Overseas Chinese who have gained a doctorate or postdoctoral qualifications, or those who have worked in the Changchun New Area for four years consecutively and live in China for six months or more every year, can apply for permanent residence in China.

Miao said that the policy is effective at attracting overseas Chinese to start businesses in Changchun New Area.

Overseas Chinese who come to the area to visit relatives, have business meetings, launch events related to the science, education, culture and health sectors or for personal affairs, can apply for a five-year multiple entry visa.

A residence permit valid for five years can be issued to overseas Chinese who need long-term residence for work, study or private affairs in the new area, which the local authorities expect will boost the economy and trade exchanges.

The policies are also targeted at foreign students who intend to start innovative businesses. They can apply for residence permits valid for two to five years after providing their Chinese diplomas. During that period, if they are hired by Jilin-based companies, they can apply for a work permit.

The new policy will support foreign students launching innovative startups and will attract intellectual resources related to foreign graduates. Companies in Changchun New Area can offer internships to graduates of foreign universities, in a bid to attract high-quality personnel.

If the applicants have had two previous work residence permits without legal violations, on their third application they can be granted a work residence permit valid for five years or less.

"Compared to the former policy, the new one is beneficial for foreigners to live and work in Jilin with a sense of stability," Miao said.

Foreign technical and senior management personnel working in Changchun New Area with work permits can apply for work visas at the port of entry.

"The policy expands the entry channels for foreign experts and allows the port visa department to issue work and personnel visas, which provides great convenience for foreign technical and senior management personnel," said Men Lei, associate senior editor of Jilin Human Resources and Social Security's publicity center.

He added that the new policies have simplified the procedures for entry and exit approval, and have localized the standards for foreign professionals. Policies concerning workers' spouses and young children are now more understanding, Men said.

"The implementation of the policies will further optimize innovation and the business environment for foreign personnel in Changchun New Area, and will promote Jilin's economic development as a traditional industrial base," said Liu of the Public Security Department.

He added that government administrations will continue to provide support to attract more investment and personnel by providing "the most convenient exit and entry channels, the most welcoming reception for foreign residents and the most efficient services".

caoyingying@chinadaily.com.cn

Left: A bird's-eye view of Changchun New Area, which has been making significant progress in reforms and innovation. Right: Jilin University, located inside Changchun New Area, an important economic development demonstration zone in Northeast China. [Photos provided to China Daily]

A view of Sanjiahu Park in Changchun Hi-tech Development Area, part of Changchun New Area. The new area is an important engine for rejuvenating industry in Northeast China. [Photo provided to China Daily]