Twelve Measures for a Talent-Friendly Ecosystem

Living Allowances
Newly recruited professionals to Xiamen holding a full-time Bachelor’s degree or above, or a foreign Bachelor’s degree or above, are eligible for a one-time living allowance:

• Doctoral Degree Holders (under 40 years old): RMB 80,000
• Master’s Degree Holders (under 35 years old): RMB 50,000
• Bachelor’s Degree Holders from “Double First-Class” Universities/Disciplines or the world’s top 200 universities (under 30 years old): RMB 30,000
• Bachelor’s Degree Holders from other universities (recent graduates): RMB 10,000 Eligibility also extends to part-time postgraduate students, graduates from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and foreign professionals holding equivalent degrees.

Temporary Housing Assistance
Recent graduates (within three years of graduation) and current students with a full-time associate degree or higher from institutions outside Xiamen are eligible for up to 12 months of free temporary housing assistance while seeking employment, participating in internships, or undertaking practical training in Xiamen. Eligibility also extends to part-time postgraduate students, individuals from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and foreign professionals.

Spouse Employment Facilitation

Xiamen offers employment facilitation services for spouses of newly recruited high-caliber professionals and doctoral degree holders:

• Spouses employed by government agencies, public institutions, or state-owned enterprises outside Xiamen: May be eligible for job placement assistance in Xiamen, subject to meeting transfer regulations and based on their original employment sector;
• Spouses who are recent doctoral graduates: Receive priority consideration for Xiamen’s talent development programs and civil service positions, all other qualifications being equal;
• Spouses in other professions: Receive coordination and support from relevant municipal departments for job placement.

For spouse placement within provincial and ministerial units, please consult the respective human resources department.

Children’s Education
Children of high-caliber professionals (categories A+, A and B) attending compulsory education are offered preferred enrollment in high-quality public schools recommended by municipal or district education authorities, based on parental preference. Children of category C high-caliber professionals attending compulsory education are assigned to public schools by municipal or district education authorities, primarily based on proximity.

Housing Support
High-caliber professionals working or starting businesses in Xiamen can purchase designated housing (ranging from 100 to 200 square meters) at 45% of the market price, subject to existing regulations.

• After five years of occupancy and five years of continuous work in Xiamen: The government will gradually grant the homeowner a portion of the land appreciation value and other related fees they would have otherwise paid.
• After 10 years of ownership: The homeowner is no longer required to pay land appreciation fees to the government upon selling the property.

Healthcare Benefits
Xiamen provides tiered healthcare benefits for high-caliber professionals:

• Category A+: Receive top-tier healthcare coverage;
• Category A: Receive second-tier healthcare coverage;
• Category B and eligible Category C: Receive third-tier healthcare coverage;
• Other Category C professionals not initially covered: May receive reimbursement for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses at the third-tier benefit level.

Dedicated community health service stations offer convenient access to health consultations, elderly, maternal and child health management, specialized treatments, and referral services for these professionals and their families.

Immigration and Customs Facilitation
Foreign high-caliber professionals can apply for or renew R visas at ports of entry. Concierge service is available for permanent residency applications. A “deferred document submission” process allows applicants for long-term residency to submit required documents after the initial application, provided they commit to doing so within a specified timeframe.
Eligible high-caliber professionals, along with senior executives and key business/technical personnel from their companies, can apply for APEC Business Travel Cards for expedited immigration processing within APEC economies.
Reasonable quantities of scientific research equipment, teaching materials, and personal belongings imported by these professionals are eligible for duty-free customs clearance.

Financial Services
High-caliber professionals starting businesses in Xiamen can access various financial support options:

• Equity Investment: Apply for equity investments of RMB 1-5 million from the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Guidance Fund. The fund’s stake will not exceed 20% of the company’s total equity;
• Technology-Focused Loans: Access preferential loan programs, including:

Technology Credit Loans: Up to RMB 5 million;

Technology Guaranteed Loans: Up to RMB 20 million;

Technology Insured Loans: Up to RMB 3 million.

These loans come with benefits such as interest subsidies and premium discounts.

Legal Services
High-caliber professionals in Xiamen receive preferential legal services:

• Free Legal Consultations: Access free legal consultations at designated law firms;
• Discounted Legal Services: Receive a minimum 20% discount on services from designated law firms, including arbitration and litigation representation, legal document review and drafting, and legal counsel;
• Notary Services: Benefit from free and discounted notary services at municipal notary offices:

Free Services: Personal declarations, employment history verification, and intellectual property notarization;

Discounted Services (minimum 20% off): Academic credentials, professional titles, and evidence preservation for infringement cases.

Transportation
High-caliber professionals in Xiamen enjoy various transportation benefits:

• Free Public Transportation: Unlimited free travel on the city’s metro, BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), and public buses;
• Kulangsu Island Access: Free access to the ferry terminal’s citizen passage to Kulangsu Island for themselves and up to three accompanying individuals;
• Airport Priority Security: Access to the priority security lane at Xiamen Airport;
• Airport and Railway Lounge Access:

Category B and above: Five complimentary uses annually of the Xiamen Airport first-class lounge and the Xiamen Railway Station business lounge;

Category C: Three complimentary uses annually of the same lounges.

Culture, Sports, and Leisure
Xiamen offers a range of cultural, sports, and leisure
benefits for high-caliber professionals:

• Discounted Tickets for Performances: Minimum 20% discount on tickets at venues such as the Banlam Grand Theater, Jiageng Theater, and Minnan Opera Art Center;
• Free Annual Tourism Pass: Free annual tourism pass providing free access to scenic spots, including Kulangsu Island;
• Discounted Fitness Facilities: Minimum 20% discount on bookings or membership cards at designated fitness venues, such as the Xiamen Sports Center and Workers’ Stadium;
• The Egret Salons: Access to “The Egret Salons,” providing premium spaces for meetings and relaxation.

Recognition and Engagement
Xiamen actively recognizes and engages high-caliber professionals through various initiatives:

• Nominations for Awards and Honors: High-caliber professionals will be nominated for awards and honors at various levels;
• Showcasing Talent: Publicity campaigns will highlight exemplary individuals and their contributions;
• Expert Sabbaticals: Regular sabbaticals will be offered to provide opportunities for professional development and rejuvenation;
• Talent Engagement Platform: Dedicated communication channels will be established to facilitate consultation and enable high-caliber professionals to contribute directly to the city’s economic and social development

Source: Xiamen Investment Handbook