High-level foreign talent will enjoy a simpler application process for visas, immigration and permanent residence in Beijing. According to the Beijing Public Security Bureau, 20 new immigration policies will be implemented starting March 1.

These measures are aimed at meeting the needs of high-level foreign talent, overseas Chinese returnee entrepreneurs, foreign members of entrepreneurial teams and young foreign students. The measures will help give the green light for these parties to stay permanently in China.

Some of the 20 new policies will be tested out first in Beijing’s Zhongguancun National Innovation Demonstration Zone.

Those policies include: the Ministry of Public Security setting up a Permanent Residence Service Center in Zhongguancun to deal with demands of foreigners, the approval period for the permanent residence for high-level foreign talent being shortened from 180 working days to 50, and an integral assessment system being implemented for the permanent residence demands of foreigners in Zhongguancun. Additionally, a convenient channel for applying for permanent residence will be offered to overseas Chinese who have Doctoral or Master’s degrees, and who have set up long-term businesses in Zhongguancun. Foreign students in universities will also be allowed to take short-term internships in Zhongguancun.

Another 10 policies, which have been implemented in Shanghai since July 1, 2015, will also be implemented in Beijing. These include allowing foreigners who meet certain requirements for wages and taxes to apply for permanent residence in China, allowing foreign students who graduated from Chinese universities to start enterprises in China, and allowing high-level foreign talent to hire foreign domestic workers in China.

The Permanent Residence Service Center in Zhongguancun will be officially open to foreigners in Beijing from March 1, 2016.