2026｜New PR Policy for Foreign PhDs in Shanghai

As at 1 January 2026, the former policy for foreign PhD holders applying for permanent residence (PR）in Shanghai was officially repealed and all relevant application channels were shut down. Following a three-month review and revision, the new policy came into force on 2 April 2026. Featuring a dual-track application mechanism, the new policy is designed to recruit outstanding high-level overseas talents. We have compiled the application criteria, required documents and application tips for the reference of employers and applicants.

💡All applicants must meet all  four basic requirements below:

1. Be a foreign national employed in Shanghai;

2. Hold a doctoral degree and abide by the laws and regulations of China;

3. Be in good health condition and have no criminal record both at home and abroad.

4. Have been steadily employed in Shanghai for no less than three consecutive years. 

💡Applicants may choose either of the two application tracks.

✅Track A: Employment Matching Majors from Prestigious Universities

Applicants shall have obtained their doctoral degree from  from a key domestic university (a university included in the world-class university and world-class discipline list published by the relevant government authorities)  or a university ranked among the world's Top 100 in the Shanghai Ranking's Academic Ranking of World Universities. Their current position must be highly relevant to their doctoral major. There is no minimum salary requirement.

✅Track B: High-income Market-oriented Talent Track

The each annual income shall be no less than three times the average wage of urban employees in Shanghai of the previous year, with a sound tax payment record.

💡Rules for Accompanying Family Members

Qualified principal applicants may submit a joint application for permanent residence together with their foreign spouses and unmarried children under the age of 18, provided that such family members are in good health condition and have no criminal record.

💡Old Policy vs New Policy

✍️For Principal Applicants (Foreign PhD Holders)

1. Fully completed Application Form+2 recent 2-inch ID photos

2. Valid passport & work-type residence permit, original+2 copies

3. Doctoral degree certificate and accreditations, original+2 copies (Credential Verification Report for domestic degree holders/Foreign Academic Credential Verification Certificate issued by the Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education for overseas degree holders) 

4. Foreigner's work permit for the recent 3 years, original+2 copies, plus printed copies of QR code or electronic permit information

5. Employment certificate (stating doctoral major, current position and professional field), original+1 copy. Track B applicants also need a 3-year salary statement issued by the employer

6. Employer’s business license / public institution legal person certificate, duplicate+2 copies, plus online annual reports for the past 3 years, 2 copies

7. 3-year personal income tax statement issued by Shanghai tax authorities, original+1 copy

8. Health certificate (valid for 6 months), original+1 copy

9. Overseas non-criminal record certificate authenticated by Chinese embassies/consulates (valid for 6 months), original+1 copy

10. Domestic non-criminal record certificate covering all your previous foreign passport numbers (valid for 3 months), original+1 copy

👨‍👩‍👧For Foreign Spouses

1. Fully completed Application Form+2 recent 2-inch ID photos

2. Valid passport, visa or residence permit, original+ 2 copies 

3. Marriage certificate (Overseas papers need consular authentication, valid for 6 months), original+2 copies, plus 2 copies of ID used for marriage registration

4. Valid health certificate, overseas and domestic non-criminal record certificates (same validity rules as above)

👨‍👩‍👧For Foreign Children under 18 Years Old

1. Fully completed Application Form+2 recent 2-inch ID photos

2. Valid passport, visa or residence permit, original+2 copies

3. Birth certificate / kinship certificate / adoption certificate, original+2 copies. A paternity test report is required for children born out of wedlock.

4. Both parents’ ID papers, original+2 copies

5. Parents’ marriage certificate, original+2 copies. For divorced parents, please provide guardianship documents such as court rulings. Overseas papers require consular authentication.

6. If either parent was a Chinese national when the child was born, nationality confirmation procedures must be completed first.

1. In-person application: Applicants aged 18 and above must apply in person. Minors shall be accompanied by both parents; the legal guardian can handle the application if parents are divorced.

2. ID photos: Take digital photos at on-site service points and keep the receipt (valid for 3 months). The spare photos shall be 48mm×33mm colour photos with a plain white background.

3. Nationality & name changes: Submit relevant certification if you have changed your nationality or name, or once held Chinese nationality.

4. Document translation: All foreign-language documents must be translated by a qualified local translation company (with official stamp and a copy of the company’s business license attached).

5. Policy exclusion: Foreigners engaged in postdoctoral research in Shanghai are not eligible for this policy.

6. Document authentication: Papers with Apostille issued by member states of the relevant international convention are exempt from consular authentication. Other overseas documents need authentication by Chinese embassies or consulates.

7. Document validity: Key documents including passports, residence permits and business licenses shall be valid for more than 6 months upon submission.

8. Interview notice: Authorities may arrange an interview. Your application will be cancelled if you fail to attend or submit supplementary materials on time without valid reasons.

✅For PhD graduates from regular universities with short tenure and insufficient income: we suggest to accumulate 3 consecutive years of working experience and complete tax records, and take positions relevant to your doctoral major. Start your application once you meet all requirements.

✅For PhD holders from Double First-Class universities or global top 100 institutions with matched positions and stable employment: You are eligible for the new policy. Prepare documents as per the checklist and submit your application in due time.

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