Source: OT-Team(G), 北京广播电视台
As China sharpens its focus on becoming a magnet for international talent, some foreign-invested enterprises in the capital are voicing concerns that existing visa rules may be hindering their ability to retain key employees.
Zhang, general manager of a multinational company in Beijing, recently underscored the importance of permanent residency — often called the "Five-Star Card" — for foreign staff. "Permanent residency would allow our core team members to enjoy benefits almost equal to those of Chinese citizens, from daily conveniences to greater professional stability," Zhang said in an interview. "This is essential for companies like ours that rely on highly skilled international professionals."
His company currently employs four foreign nationals, but one case highlights the issue most clearly. The firm's French chief financial officer, who has lived in China for 16 years and is married to a Chinese citizen, is considered indispensable to the company's operations. Despite his deep personal and professional ties to China, he is still bound by a work visa that must be renewed every year.
The renewal process creates a significant bottleneck: when his passport is held for visa extension procedures, he cannot travel abroad for more than four months annually. "This severely restricts his ability to conduct international business trips and affects overall efficiency," Zhang explained. "Both the company and the employee are eager for a more permanent solution."
Observers note that this situation reflects a broader challenge faced by many foreign-invested firms across China. While the country has made progress in attracting overseas talent through various preferential policies, cumbersome visa renewals remain a sticking point for many long-term expatriates. For companies competing globally, the ability to offer employees long-term security is increasingly seen as a decisive factor in talent retention.
What do you think? Should China make permanent residency more accessible to long-term foreign professionals?
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