Foreigners with a doctoral degree working in Shanghai now have the opportunity to directly apply for Chinese permanent residence, commonly known as the Chinese green card, according to the official website "Online platform for Government Affairs of Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai Public Security Bureau.

The original text is as follows:

Those expatriates with Ph. degrees and currently work in Shanghai, and abide by Chinese laws, have good health, and have no criminal records can apply for permanent residence in China.

The foreign spouse and their unmarried children under 18 years old of the above foreign applicants and abide by Chinese laws, have good health, and have no criminal records can apply for permanent residence together.

In this way, neither the length of work experience nor a minimum salary standard is required.This recent policy change is a significant development as it removes the previous restriction that limited eligibility only to overseas Chinese.

The new policy allowing expatriates with Ph.D. degrees to directly obtain Chinese permanent residence in Shanghai represents a significant shift in immigration regulations. It demonstrates China's commitment to attracting and retaining international talent and promoting academic collaboration. Foreign professionals with a Ph.D. degree can now enjoy the benefits and stability of permanent residence in Shanghai, fostering a diverse and inclusive community of skilled individuals contributing to the city's growth and prosperity.