The Ministry of Public Security has announced a pilot project granting preferential policies to attract high-end foreign talent to the nation’s capital. Beijing follows Shanghai in becoming the second city to introduce such measures.

Starting March 1, the project strategically targets high-end foreign professionals, including overseas Chinese who graduated from foreign universities and have started businesses in Beijing, foreign exchange students, and foreigners who work for entrepreneurial startups in the city.

One of the goals of the project is to provide a steady stream of foreign talent for scientific and technological innovation in Beijing’s newly re-tooled Zhongguancun National Demonstration Zone, said the Ministry’s Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration.

As part of the new policy, overseas Chinese in possession of a doctoral degree received abroad will be given permanent residency, no matter how long they stay in the capital. Additionally, foreigners who have worked at Zhongguancun companies for four years, staying at least six months per year, will be given the permit as well.

Other highlights of the program include allowing foreign students to have part-time jobs while starting their own businesses in Zhongguancun, allowing overseas university students to have short-term internships in Zhongguancun, and providing easier access to permanent residency for foreigners with doctoral degrees.

Wang Huiyao, president of the South China Global Talent Institute, explained the benefit of the policies: “The threshold will be lowered for overseas Chinese and high-end foreign talent, which is definitely a real benefit for them,” said Wang.

Meanwhile, policies designed to mold Shanghai into a global technological innovation center have resulted in the issuing of more visas and permits.

Since loosening visa policies in July of last year, 715 permanent resident permits have been issued in Shanghai, which is up 60 from the same time the year before.

One of the benefits to lowering the entry requirements for foreign experts in technology and innovation is that they will be eligible for permanent residency permits that are valid for up to 10 years, compared to the five years that was issued before.

High-level foreign talent with a permanent job in Shanghai can obtain a foreign expert permit that is valid for between two and five years. The procedure for obtaining that permit has been simplified, and the age restriction was lifted from 60 to 70 years. Expats can also apply for permanent residency on the recommendation of their companies after working in Shanghai for three years. Under the new policy, foreign talent employed in technology and innovation will be eligible for permanent residence permits valid for up to 10 years.