Refer China: A Complete Analysis of China's 2025 Work & Residency Trends

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By the end of December 2025, China has not yet released the complete annual statistics for foreigner work permits and permanent residency ("Chinese Green Card") approvals. However, based on official reports from the first half of the year, local policy updates, and industry observations, a clear trend is visible: the willingness of foreign talent to work in China has significantly increased, application numbers continue to rise, and talent is highly concentrated in high-tech industries and key cities.

📌 Key Takeaways at a Glance:

Work permit applications for foreigners in 2025 are estimated to have increased by approximately 20-30% year-on-year.
Permanent residency approvals are projected to reach 3,000-5,000, among the highest annual figures on record.
Talent primarily flows into sectors like Artificial Intelligence, Biomedicine, New Energy, Finance, and Education.
Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen remain the top destinations for foreign professionals.

I. Work Permits: Significant Application Growth, Category A Talent Leads the Way

According to information released by the Chinese government in July 2025, visa-free entries by foreigners in the first half of the year reached 13.64 million, a year-on-year increase of 53.9%. While this does not equate to work visa numbers, it strongly indicates a rapid recovery in international mobility.

Feedback from human resources departments in multiple regions suggests that work permit applications in 2025 grew by 20-30% compared to the same period in 2024, with a notably rising proportion of Category A (high-end) talent—those with advanced degrees, high-level skills, and high salaries.

Major Concentrated Industries:

Artificial Intelligence & Semiconductors
Biomedicine & Medical Devices
New Energy (EVs, Photovoltaics, Energy Storage)
Fintech & Professional Services (Consulting, Audit, etc.)
Higher Education & Research Institutions
Advanced Manufacturing & Automation

Notably, within Category A talent, over 60% are concentrated in the three national strategic emerging industries: integrated circuits, biomedicine, and artificial intelligence.

Top City Destinations:

Shanghai: The Lingang New Area and Zhangjiang Science City offer distinct policy advantages, with Category A approvals up 38% year-on-year.
Beijing: A hub for research talent, centered around Zhongguancun, universities, and central state-owned enterprise headquarters.
Shenzhen: Its vibrant tech and innovation ecosystem attracts numerous tech entrepreneurs.
Guangzhou, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an: These "new first-tier" cities are also intensifying their efforts to attract talent.

II. Permanent Residency ("Chinese Green Card"): Lowered Threshold, Record Approvals

China's permanent residency system has long been known for its stringent requirements, but 2025 policy has clearly shifted toward "targeted talent attraction." The new version of the "Five-Star Card" is now widely implemented, allowing holders access to local conveniences like social security, healthcare, and children's education.

Although the national total has not been officially announced, based on local cases and data from third-party service agencies, the number of permanent residency approvals nationwide in 2025 is estimated to be between 3,000 and 5,000. This figure far exceeds the annual average of less than 1,000 in the early 2020s.

Primary Applicant Groups:

Senior executives or core technical experts in high-tech enterprises.
Strategic industry investors with over USD $500,000 invested in China.
Professors from "Double First-Class" universities and leads on national-level research projects.
Individuals with internationally significant contributions (e.g., Nobel laureates, Olympic champions).

Cities with Highest Concentration of Approvals:

Shanghai (over 30% of national total)
Beijing (concentration of universities and international organizations)
Shenzhen & Guangzhou (driven by tech and manufacturing)
Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing and other Yangtze River Delta cities follow closely.

III. Comparison with Previous Years: Opening-Up Efforts Continue to Intensify

The table below illustrates the evolving landscape:

Year	Work Permit Trend	Permanent Residency Trend	Policy Environment
2020-2022	Declined due to pandemic impact	Very Low (Annual Avg. <1,000)	Strict Control
2023	Began Recovery	Slight Increase	Gradual Opening
2024	Significant Rebound	Accelerated Growth	Optimized Business Environment
2025	Major Growth (+20-30%)	Significant Rise (Est. +50%+)	Comprehensive Talent Attraction, "Green Channels" Widespread

Conclusion: China is Becoming a New Choice for Global High-End Talent

In 2025, as China continues to advance high-level opening-up and optimize services for foreign talent, more international professionals are viewing the country as an ideal place for career development. Whether for short-term work or long-term settlement, policy benefits are being realized, and urban amenities are improving.

Looking ahead, with the deepening of Belt and Road cooperation, the effects of RCEP, and the acceleration of domestic industrial upgrading, China's appeal to global talent is expected to grow even stronger.