Top Foreign Professionals Granted Permanent Residence In China

Five foreign experts working in China have been awarded the coveted ‘green card’ permanent residency cards.

The gift of residence cards to top foreign professionals is an important part of China’s strategy to attract the brightest and best expat talent to drive the country’s development as a hub for innovation and excellence. This year, Shanghai city fathers have concentrated on assisting foreigners holding core positions in top research teams to apply for and be granted permanent residency.

The new strategy also allows top talent involved in research to also take part in entrepreneurship and innovation projects, and helps outstanding expat graduates to become permanent residents. Graduates are allowed a two-year residency permit covering their internships or their entrepreneurial activities, with those who’ve worked in the city for three years also qualifying for permanent residency.

Dutch chemist Bernard Feringa, guest professor at Shanghai’s East China University of Science and Technology and Nobel laureate, was the first to be honoured with permanent residency at a recent ceremony. He told local media he was extremely proud to have been granted the ‘green card’ as it’s essential to building a strong programme for students at the university, especially as a new, larger institute is in the planning stage.

Roger Hutton, professor at the Fudan Institute of Modern Physics University, also received his permanent residency card, saying it was very important as he’s lived in and has been committed to China for many years. He believes the government’s drive to recruit top talent and permit long-term residency makes the country far more attractive for the brightest and best, as they’ll feel more welcome and wanted.

David Waxman, also a professor at Fudan University, is equally thrilled with his residency card as he spends at least 10 months of every year in China. He’s one of a thousand foreign expats chosen for their experience and knowledge as part of the government’s talent programme, and his ‘green card’ will make life far easier as well as confirming his value to his preferred country of residence.