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R Visa - High-Level or Urgently Needed Talent

ChinaTalent and merit

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Which exceptional-talent, academic, scientific, artistic, technological, cultural or other profiles does the pathway target?

The R visa targets high-level and urgently needed scientists, technology leaders, international entrepreneurs, specialists and highly skilled talent meeting China's Category A standards.

See recorded sources
  • Article 4 first paragraph
    第四条 R字签证发放对象为国家经济社会发展需要的外国高层次人才和急需紧缺人才,符合&“高精尖缺&”和市场需求导向的科学家、科技领军人才、国际企业家、专门人才和高技能人才等。
  • Article 4 second paragraph
    申请R字签证的外国人,应当符合《外国人来华工作分类标准(试行)》中外国高端人才(A类)标准条件。国家外国专家局会同外交部、公安部,根据经济社会发展需要和人才资源供求状况适时调整外国高端人才认定标准。

What achievements, recognition, awards, publications, reputation or other evidence establishes the required level?

R visa applicants must meet the Category A (high-end foreign talent) standard of the Classification Standards for Foreigners Working in China (trial). Category A covers talent who meet one of: selection for a recognised domestic talent-introduction programme; internationally recognised professional achievement (e.g. Nobel Prize winners; 3 papers as first or corresponding author in JCR Q1-Q2 journals); market-oriented encouraged posts; innovation/entrepreneurship talent; outstanding young talent; or a points score of 85 or more.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Category A has many sub-criteria (18 achievement items, 9 market-oriented posts, etc.); only examples are given here.
  • Art 4 states the high-end talent standard may be adjusted; the classification standard is the 2017 trial version.

Is an employer, nominator, recognised body, peer group or government endorsement required?

A domestic inviter must submit an online form, invitation and talent proof to the provincial foreign-work authority; qualifying recognition yields a confirmation letter within five working days.

See recorded sources
  • Article 5 first paragraph
    第五条 外国人在境外申请R字签证,由邀请单位向省、自治区、直辖市人民政府外国人工作管理部门(以下称省级人民政府外国人工作管理部门)提出申请,在线提交申请表、国内单位邀请函件以及符合R字签证人才认定标准的相关证明材料。
  • Article 5 confirmation
    对符合外国高端人才标准条件的,由省级人民政府外国人工作管理部门在5个工作日内在线向国内邀请单位出具《外国高端人才确认函》(见附件),并将《外国高端人才确认函》等信息交换至我国驻申请人所在国(地区)使馆、领馆或者外交部委托的其他驻外机构,国家外国专家局将前述信息交换至外交部、公安部。
  • Article 6(1)
    (一)签证申请表;
  • Article 6(2)
    (二)本人护照(有效期为6个月以上)以及符合规定的照片;
  • Article 6(3)
    (三)《外国高端人才确认函》打印件;
  • Article 6(4)
    (四)驻外使馆、领馆或者外交部委托的其他驻外机构要求的其他材料。

Can the holder change employer, work independently, establish a business or conduct other professional activity? What is the family position?

Working in China still requires the work permit at the employer location. The facilitated online application uses contract/appointment proof, health proof and passport/R-visa pages; this is not unrestricted employer mobility. The spouse and minor children receive corresponding multiple-entry visas with matching validity.

See recorded sources
  • Article 10 work requirement
    第十条 持R字签证在华工作的外国人,应当向用人单位所在地的地方人民政府外国人工作管理部门或其委托机构申请办理外国人来华工作许可。
  • Article 10 process
    持R字签证的外国人,可在线提交聘用合同或任职证明、体检证明、R字签证签注页、护照信息页申请外国人来华工作许可,全程在线申请外国人来华工作许可的延期、换发和补发,地方人民政府外国人工作管理部门应在3个工作日内进行审查并作出决定,同时将相关信息交换至同级公安机关出入境管理机构。
  • Article 7
    第七条 驻外使馆、领馆或者外交部委托的其他驻外机构为符合条件的R字签证申请人签发有效期为5至10年、多次入境的签证;为上述人员的配偶及未成年子女签发有效期相同、多次入境的相应种类签证。

What duration, renewal and accelerated or normal longer-term residence pathway is officially stated?

R visas have five-to-ten-year multiple-entry validity, distinct from the permitted stay of each entry. The official measures do not grant automatic permanent residence.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The individual R-visa permitted stay and any later permanent-residence entitlement require their separate conditions; five-to-ten-year visa validity is not ten-year continuous residence.
  • Article 7
    第七条 驻外使馆、领馆或者外交部委托的其他驻外机构为符合条件的R字签证申请人签发有效期为5至10年、多次入境的签证;为上述人员的配偶及未成年子女签发有效期相同、多次入境的相应种类签证。
  • Article 8
    第八条 驻外使馆、领馆或者外交部委托的其他驻外机构可为第七条所述人员加急办理签证申请,在2个工作日内签发签证。
  • Article 9
    第九条 驻外使馆、领馆或者外交部委托的其他驻外机构为第七条所述人员办理签证,免收签证费和急件费。
  • Article 10 process
    持R字签证的外国人,可在线提交聘用合同或任职证明、体检证明、R字签证签注页、护照信息页申请外国人来华工作许可,全程在线申请外国人来华工作许可的延期、换发和补发,地方人民政府外国人工作管理部门应在3个工作日内进行审查并作出决定,同时将相关信息交换至同级公安机关出入境管理机构。

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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