Chinese and expatriate professionals holding certain overseas occupational qualifications will receive priority support, including work permits and access to adequate housing in Shanghai. This initiative, announced by the city on Wednesday, aims to attract talent from around the world and further enhance its vibrancy.
At the Third Shanghai Talent+ Summit, the city unveiled the Shanghai List of Recognized Overseas Occupational Qualifications, encompassing 85 qualifications.
Wu Qing, Vice-Mayor of Shanghai, expressed, "Shanghai will continue to introduce policies that may even surpass those of some overseas locations to facilitate the growth and success of talent."
Among the qualifications, 48 from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, primarily in the fields of financial management, next-generation information technology, biomedicine, high-end manufacturing, architecture, and engineering, align with Shanghai's key industries. These qualifications were classified as Category A, granting holders access to a range of talent-focused support measures.
Category B includes 15 qualifications, including fellowships with organizations like the Association for Computing Machinery, the Institution of Engineering and Technology in the UK, and the Royal Aeronautical Society in the UK. Holders of Category B qualifications will enjoy enhanced working conditions.
Category C comprises 22 qualifications, where holders can attain corresponding professional titles in China directly by contributing to innovation and entrepreneurship in Shanghai.
The city introduced a package of premium services for outstanding global talent working full-time in Shanghai. This talent will benefit from high-quality, customized services related to settlement and housing, among other aspects.
To qualify, applicants must possess internationally recognized professional achievements in the technological field or make significant innovations or entrepreneurial contributions in Shanghai with globally leading technological accomplishments. Alternatively, they should hold important positions at internationally renowned companies or top-tier technology-based enterprises and institutions.
A sub-forum focusing on venture capital investment drew over 500 investors and representatives from unicorns—startups valued at over $1 billion—from both domestic and international markets.
Zhang Wei, head of the organization department of the Shanghai Committee of the Communist Party of China, stated, "With a robust industrial foundation, abundant talent resources, and a mature financial market, Shanghai provides an ideal environment for nurturing scientific and technological unicorn enterprises. The city will continue to establish a law-based business environment in line with international standards and optimize services for enterprises to encourage further innovation."
Wu Jincheng, director of the Shanghai Commission of Economy and Informatization, outlined the city's goals, including achieving competitive results, fostering innovative enterprises, and attracting leading talent in future-oriented industries such as health, artificial intelligence, energy, space, and materials. He added, "Shanghai aspires to develop world-leading future-oriented industrial clusters and play a pivotal role in driving global scientific and technological advancements and industrial transformations."