Notice of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government on Issuing the Several Provisions on Encouraging Overseas Returnees to Work and Start Businesses in Shanghai

Several Provisions on Encouraging Overseas Returnees to Work and Start Businesses in Shanghai

Chapter I: General Provisions

Article 1 These Provisions are formulated to further improve work related to overseas returnees, accelerate the building of Shanghai into a high-level talent hub, implement more proactive, open, and effective policies for attracting overseas talent, encourage overseas returnees to work and start businesses in Shanghai, and create a more internationally competitive comprehensive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship and a talent development environment.

Article 2 These Provisions apply to overseas returnees coming to work or start businesses in Shanghai, including those who have acquired foreign nationality and those who studied abroad from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region, and the Taiwan region.

The term "overseas returnees" in the preceding paragraph refers to individuals who meet one of the following conditions:

(1) Those who studied abroad (overseas) under public sponsorship or at their own expense and obtained a bachelor's degree or higher from an overseas institution; or

(2) Visiting scholars or advanced research personnel who obtained an undergraduate degree or higher, or a mid-level or higher professional/technical title in China, and then engaged in advanced study or research for one year or more at an overseas university or scientific research institution, achieving certain results.

Article 3 The Municipality prioritizes the introduction of high-level overseas returnees who are urgently needed in leading industries, emerging industries, future industries, and other sectors.

The term "high-level overseas returnees" in these Provisions, in addition to meeting the conditions for overseas returnees, also refers to those who meet one of the following conditions:

(1) Renowned scientists who enjoy a certain reputation in the international academic or technological community, and are pioneers, founders, or have made significant contributions to the development of a particular field;

(2) Experts and scholars with profound academic attainments who have made significant contributions to the development of a specific specialty or field, have published influential academic papers in internationally renowned academic journals, or have received internationally influential academic awards, whose achievements are at the forefront of their industry or field and are widely recognized within the profession;

(3) Experts and scholars who hold positions equivalent to associate professor or associate researcher or higher at renowned overseas universities or scientific research institutions;

(4) Experts and scholars who hold mid-to-senior level management positions in overseas government agencies, intergovernmental international organizations, or renowned non-governmental organizations;

(5) Management experts who hold senior management positions in world-renowned enterprises, or senior technical personnel in renowned multinational corporations or financial institutions, or senior technical personnel in renowned law (accounting, consulting) firms, familiar with business and international rules in related fields, with relatively rich practical experience;

(6) Experts, scholars, and technical personnel who have presided over large international scientific research or engineering projects and possess rich scientific research or engineering technical experience;

(7) Professional technical personnel who possess major technological inventions, patents with promising industrialization prospects, or other independent intellectual property rights or proprietary technologies;

(8) High-level overseas returnees recognized by relevant state departments or the Municipal Talent Work Bureau;

(9) Other special talents with unique expertise urgently needed by the Municipality.

Article 4 The Municipal Talent Work Bureau is the competent department for overseas returnee work in the Municipality. It is responsible for formulating and organizing the implementation of policies and plans for attracting overseas returnees, building exchange platforms for overseas returnees to innovate and start businesses in Shanghai, enhancing the attractiveness and cohesion for overseas returnees, conducting comprehensive analysis of information on introduced overseas returnees, and evaluating the effectiveness of related work.

Departments and units including the Municipal Science and Technology Commission, the Municipal Education Commission, the Municipal Public Security Bureau, the Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, the Municipal Commission of Commerce, the Municipal Finance Bureau, the Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, the Municipal Taxation Bureau, the Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, the Municipal Health Commission, the Municipal Transportation Commission, the Municipal Housing and Urban-Rural Development Management Commission, the Municipal Intellectual Property Administration, Shanghai Customs, the Shanghai Head Office of the People's Bank of China, and the Shanghai Branch of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange shall, in accordance with their respective duties, carry out related work to encourage overseas returnees to work and start businesses in Shanghai.

Article 5 Work related to overseas returnees shall implement the principle of "supporting study abroad, encouraging returnees, ensuring freedom of movement, and enabling them to play their role." Relevant departments, units, overseas returnee entrepreneurship parks, overseas returnee social organizations, and employers of overseas returnees shall strengthen education on national conditions for overseas returnees, encouraging them to consciously abide by laws, regulations, rules, and social ethics, and to carry forward the tradition of serving the country through their overseas studies. At the same time, they shall care about the work and life of overseas returnees and provide convenience for them to work and start businesses in Shanghai.

Article 6 The coordination mechanism for overseas returnee work in the Municipality shall be improved to coordinate and resolve major issues in overseas returnee work.

The Municipality shall advance the "one-stop service" for overseas returnee affairs, building online and offline integrated service platforms. Each district shall establish service windows for overseas returnees to provide policy consultation, business acceptance, and service support for overseas returnees coming to work and start businesses in Shanghai.

Chapter II: Modes of Service by Overseas Returnees to the Municipality

Article 7 In accordance with laws, regulations, rules, and relevant national and municipal provisions, support and encourage overseas returnees to serve the economic and social development of the Municipality by utilizing their professional expertise and advantages through various forms such as full-time or part-time employment, cooperative research, returning to give lectures, academic and technical exchanges, investigation and consultation, innovation and entrepreneurship:

(1) Serving as civil servants (excluding those with foreign nationality), advisors, consultants, or technical experts in state organs;

(2) Establishing technology enterprises through technology shareholding or investment;

(3) Serving as the legal representative of state-owned enterprises;

(4) Being employed or concurrently holding professional/technical positions, mid-to-senior management positions, advisory or honorary positions in schools, scientific research institutions, medical institutions, cultural and art troupes, news media organizations, financial institutions, key (open) laboratories, engineering technology research centers, and other enterprises and institutions;

(5) Investing in industries such as education and healthcare or opening service institutions such as architectural design, law, accounting, and consulting firms;

(6) Utilizing advanced science and technology, equipment, funds, and other conditions to conduct cooperative research or establish cooperative R&D bases with universities, research institutes, and various enterprises;

(7) Serving in senior management or technical positions for major projects or key programs;

(8) Coming to the Municipality to give lectures or engage in academic, cultural, and artistic exchanges;

(9) Conducting R&D activities for commissioned scientific research projects overseas, or commissioning relevant research units or organizations in the Municipality to conduct R&D on overseas scientific research projects;

(10) Cooperating with relevant units or accepting commissions based on overseas scientific research, education, and training institutions to cultivate talent for employers and promote international talent exchange;

(11) Registering intermediary agencies in the Municipality to provide intermediary services for introducing foreign investment, technology, projects, etc., to the Municipality, or establishing science and technology service institutions such as maker spaces and technology transfer agencies in the Municipality to connect with international innovation resources and provide professional services such as venture incubation and technology transfer for the incubation and commercialization of international innovation achievements;

(12) Being employed to work in the overseas offices of units in the Municipality;

(13) Serving the Municipality in other ways.

Article 8 Communication and contact with overseas student organizations and overseas returnees shall be strengthened, welcoming them to Shanghai for inspection and exchange activities. Various activities for overseas returnees shall be organized to further enhance the influence of brands such as the "Gathering Global Talents" global innovation and entrepreneurship activities, providing convenience for overseas returnees to innovate and start businesses in Shanghai.

Integrated development of overseas returnee work in the Yangtze River Delta region shall be continuously promoted, facilitating cross-regional cooperation, talent resource sharing, and orderly flow of high-level overseas returnee talent. Overseas returnees are encouraged to serve the Yangtze River Delta region in various forms.

Chapter III: Establishing Enterprises and Other Economic Entities

Article 9 The Municipal Talent Work Bureau provides qualification recognition and related services for overseas returnees coming to Shanghai to establish enterprises and enjoy preferential policies in accordance with laws and regulations. Relevant departments and units shall facilitate the establishment of enterprises by overseas returnees and their enjoyment of related benefits in accordance with laws and regulations.

Article 10 The Municipal Talent Work Bureau may first accept applications entrusted by overseas returnees to their domestic relatives or friends for qualification recognition to enjoy preferential policies for establishing enterprises. Subsequently, relevant departments and units shall handle the relevant procedures to facilitate overseas returnees investing and establishing enterprises in Shanghai.

Article 11 Within the scope of industries permitted and encouraged for investment by the state and the Municipality, overseas returnees may use patents, proprietary technologies, and scientific/technological achievements to engage in technology transfer, technology contracting, technology shareholding, pledge financing, etc., in Shanghai. They may also establish their own enterprises or joint ventures with enterprises in the Municipality, or invest in Shanghai in the name of individuals or overseas registered companies.

Article 12 The Municipality encourages the establishment of overseas returnee entrepreneurship parks. Eligible overseas returnee entrepreneurship parks may enjoy policies for science and technology innovation and entrepreneurship carriers.

Article 13 The Municipal Talent Work Bureau is responsible for the management of overseas returnee entrepreneurship parks. It will guide and support these parks in conjunction with districts and relevant departments/units, and conduct regular inspections and evaluations. Districts and relevant departments/units shall actively support the establishment of overseas returnee entrepreneurship parks, care about their construction and development, establish mechanisms for evaluating technology projects within the parks, and select enterprises with high technological content to enter the parks.

Article 14 Each overseas returnee entrepreneurship park shall establish a dedicated service team to provide comprehensive services for enterprises established by overseas returnees, including registration, tax agency services, business affairs, training, technology identification, project application, legal consultation, and international cooperation. Parks are encouraged to provide various professional services such as R&D, intellectual property, and investment/financing, simplifying procedures and reducing steps. At the same time, they shall assist overseas returnee enterprises in applying for various national and municipal funding projects according to procedures, and encourage providing policy support to overseas returnee enterprises with strong innovation capabilities, great development potential, and good market prospects in accordance with regulations.

Article 15 The Municipality encourages and supports qualified overseas returnee entrepreneurship parks to provide venture capital and financing guarantee support for overseas returnees, creating conditions for enterprises within the parks to attract international venture capital and seek listings.

Article 16 Overseas returnee enterprises or startup teams may enjoy entrepreneurship support policies such as startup guarantee loans, social insurance subsidies for startup organizations in their initial stage, rewards for excellent startup projects, and science and technology innovation vouchers in accordance with relevant regulations.

Article 17 Various types of venture guidance funds and support funds are encouraged to increase support for enterprises established by overseas returnees. Financial institutions are guided to develop financial products that meet the characteristics and development needs of enterprises established by overseas returnees, strengthen credit support, and enhance financing convenience. Guarantee institutions and reinsurance institutions are encouraged to provide loan guarantee and reinsurance services for enterprises established by returning overseas returnees.

Article 18 Intellectual property protection for enterprises established by overseas returnees shall be strengthened. Overseas returnee enterprises are encouraged to apply for patents, and those meeting relevant regulations may apply for fee reductions or exemptions. The technological achievements of overseas returnees may be appraised as capital contribution for shareholding investment in accordance with relevant state regulations.

Article 19 Overseas returnee enterprises are encouraged to apply for establishing postdoctoral research stations, postdoctoral innovation practice base host units, and other postdoctoral work platforms. They are encouraged to recruit overseas doctors and postdoctoral researchers for scientific research work, and support eligible individuals in applying for municipal postdoctoral support programs.
Overseas returnee entrepreneurship parks are encouraged to establish offshore innovation and entrepreneurship bases. They are encouraged to establish overseas returnee innovation and entrepreneurship colleges, offer startup boot camps, and organize overseas returnees to come to Shanghai for various innovation and entrepreneurship theme activities such as park tours and project roadshows. Various socialized service institutions are supported to play an active role, establishing and improving an enterprise-oriented, market-driven overseas returnee startup support system.

Article 20 Universities and research institutions are encouraged to open their laboratories to enterprises established by overseas returnees. Enterprises established by overseas returnees are supported in establishing enterprise technology centers or jointly forming engineering technology research centers with universities and research institutions, enjoying relevant preferential policies in accordance with regulations. Eligible overseas returnees are encouraged to take part-time positions in universities, research institutions, etc.

Article 21 Overseas returnees coming to work or start businesses in Shanghai, along with their spouses and children under 16 years of age or studying in regular secondary schools, may apply for permanent household registration in the Municipality with the Municipal Talent Work Bureau in accordance with relevant regulations. High-level overseas returnees may also enjoy preferential policies in accordance with relevant regulations.

Article 22 Overseas returnees coming to work or start businesses in Shanghai, along with their spouses and children, may apply for the “Shanghai Residence Card” in accordance with relevant regulations. Among them, overseas returnees who have acquired foreign nationality and other eligible overseas returnees, along with their spouses and children, may apply for the “Shanghai Overseas Talent Residence Permit (Shanghai Residence Card Type B)” in accordance with relevant regulations.

Article 23 Districts shall care about the schooling of overseas returnees’ children. Children of overseas returnees holding the “Shanghai Overseas Talent Residence Permit (Shanghai Residence Card Type B)” may, at the preschool and compulsory education stages, have their schooling arranged by the education administrative department of their place of residence according to the principle of proximity, in accordance with relevant regulations. If their children study at the senior secondary stage in the Municipality and obtain a senior secondary school graduation diploma, they may take the national college entrance examination in the Municipality in accordance with relevant regulations and apply to universities that have enrollment plans in the Municipality. Eligible children of overseas returnees may enroll in schools for children of foreign nationals in the Municipality.
Relevant departments, units, and districts shall actively create conditions to better meet the schooling needs of overseas returnees’ foreign-nationality children. The layout of schools for children of foreign nationals shall be further optimized. For high-level overseas returnees, assistance shall be provided in accordance with relevant regulations for their children to enroll in schools for children of foreign nationals. Exploration shall be made to gradually improve the mechanism for local primary and secondary schools to accept foreign students in areas where foreign nationals are relatively concentrated.

Article 24 Overseas returnees who have acquired foreign nationality and hold the “Shanghai Overseas Talent Residence Permit (Shanghai Residence Card Type B)” may apply for work permits following the current practices of the Lingang Special Area and apply for residence permits valid for a period not exceeding the validity of their residence permit. The employing units of overseas returnees shall assist them in handling the relevant procedures.

Article 25 Overseas returnees holding the “Shanghai Overseas Talent Residence Permit (Shanghai Residence Card Type B)” may participate in professional title evaluations, professional (practitioner) qualification examinations, and professional (practitioner) qualification registrations in the Municipality during their work in Shanghai in accordance with relevant regulations. For eligible high-level overseas returnees, their overseas professional work experience, academic and scientific research achievements, and scientific and technological innovation contributions may serve as bases for evaluating senior professional titles, not subject to restrictions on their domestic years of service. Recognition shall be given to overseas professional qualification certificates held by overseas returnees in accordance with relevant regulations, corresponding to appropriate professional titles.

Article 26 Overseas returnees shall participate in social insurance in accordance with national and municipal regulations, and those meeting conditions shall enjoy corresponding social insurance benefits. Unemployed spouses and children under 18 or studying at the senior secondary stage of overseas returnees may participate in the basic medical insurance for urban and rural residents of the Municipality and enjoy corresponding benefits in accordance with relevant regulations. Support is provided for family members to use family pooling funds in accordance with relevant regulations.

Article 27 Overseas returnees who have acquired foreign nationality and hold the “Shanghai Overseas Talent Residence Permit (Shanghai Residence Card Type B)” may, based on consensus with their employing units in the Municipality, contribute to, withdraw from, and apply for loans from the housing provident fund in accordance with relevant regulations. Upon termination or dissolution of the labor (employment) relationship with the employing unit in the Municipality, procedures for sealing, transferring, etc., the housing provident fund account may be handled in accordance with relevant regulations.

Article 28 Overseas returnees who have acquired foreign nationality and hold the “Shanghai Overseas Talent Residence Permit (Shanghai Residence Card Type B)” may apply for or replace motor vehicle driving licenses, handle motor vehicle registration procedures, and apply to participate in non-operating passenger car quota auctions in the Municipality in accordance with relevant regulations.

Article 29 The Municipality provides residence and entry-exit convenience for overseas returnees who have acquired foreign nationality. High-level overseas returnees who have acquired foreign nationality may apply for work-type residence permits (annotated with “Talent”) or R-visas (Talent Visa) in accordance with relevant regulations. High-level overseas returnees who have acquired foreign nationality or overseas returnees meeting market-based talent recognition standards may, upon recommendation by relevant departments or their work units, apply for permanent residence in China in accordance with relevant regulations.

Article 30 Relevant departments, units, and districts shall strengthen funding coordination to provide support for high-level overseas returnees coming to work or start businesses in Shanghai.

Article 31 Relevant departments, units, and districts shall care about the career choices of spouses of high-level overseas returnees, who may be given priority for employment under equal conditions.

Article 32 High-level overseas returnees recognized by the Municipal Talent Work Bureau as meeting conditions may enjoy treatments such as “green channels” for handling household registration and the “Shanghai Overseas Talent Residence Permit (Shanghai Residence Card Type B)”, opening personal free trade accounts, and customs clearance convenience in accordance with relevant regulations.

Article 33 Eligible overseas returnees may apply for civil service positions in the Municipality in accordance with the “LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON CIVIL SERVANTS” and other relevant laws, regulations, and provisions. Overseas degrees and academic qualifications obtained by overseas returnees, upon certification by the Service Center for Scholarly Exchange of the Ministry of Education, if they have corresponding relationships with domestic degrees and academic qualifications, may serve as the basis for application.

Article 34 Insurance enterprises in the Municipality are encouraged to develop commercial medical insurance products that meet the medical needs of overseas returnees. Hospitals with appropriate conditions are encouraged and supported to strengthen cooperation with domestic and foreign insurance companies and join the direct payment network systems of international medical insurance. Market entities are supported in establishing third-party international medical insurance settlement platforms.

Article 35 Remuneration for overseas returnees working in the Municipality may be determined favorably through negotiation between the employing unit and the individual based on the position held and the individual’s contribution. Public institutions with high concentrations of high-level talent, such as universities and research institutions, may independently recognize outstanding overseas returnees as high-level talent within a certain percentage of their authorized staffing, and independently decide salary levels using annual salary systems, agreement-based salary systems, etc., not restricted by the total performance-based wage quota of the unit. Enterprises are encouraged to establish enterprise annuities for employees including overseas returnees. Enterprises located in parks that have already established talent enterprise annuities may give priority to establishing annuities for overseas returnees.

Article 36 Overseas returnees may be included in the municipal and district-level talent housing security coverage in accordance with relevant regulations. Districts and relevant departments/units are encouraged to provide rental subsidies or physical housing rentals to outstanding scientific and technological innovation and entrepreneurship overseas returnees.

Article 37 Capital contributions, profits, capital gains, asset disposal proceeds, liquidation proceeds, etc., from overseas returnees establishing foreign-invested enterprises in China may be remitted into or out of China in Renminbi or foreign exchange according to law.

Article 38 Where overseas returnees need to import scientific and educational articles, etc., from overseas for scientific research or teaching purposes, they shall rely on their affiliated universities, research institutions, or other units with tax exemption qualifications to apply to customs. Customs shall handle duty reduction and exemption procedures in accordance with relevant national regulations. If payment in foreign exchange is required for imported goods, they may go to designated foreign exchange banks to handle foreign exchange purchase procedures with materials such as the import contract, invoice, and import payment declaration form.

Article 39 Outstanding overseas returnee talents working or starting businesses in the Municipality shall be commended in accordance with relevant regulations, actively creating a good atmosphere of respecting talent.

Article 40 These Provisions shall become effective on February 1, 2026, and remain valid until January 31, 2031.

The English version is for reference only. If there are differences between the English version and the Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.
Source：Shanghai Municipal People's Government（Chinese version）