China Talent Visa (R)
Chinese talent visa, namely the R Visa is issued to foreign high-level personnel and much-needed highly talented people who need to stay and work in China. Usually they can get a multiple-entry talent visa with the validity of five or ten years, and their spouse and minor children can obtain a relative visa, which refers to the S2 type in most cases, with the same validity. The duration of each stay can be as long as 180 days.
The measure complements the existing Work Z Visa that allows foreigners to work in China if they have a work permit or employment certificate issued by the competent Chinese authorities. The Chinese government has shown its sincerity towards global talents with this policy and created a friendly environment for them to work in China.
Who Count as High Level Talents?
Indubitably, eligible applicants for the R visa must have the highly-skilled and specialized qualities that are urgently needed due to a short supply among Chinese. Here we list major types of talents qualifying for the China talent visa but not all of them.
1. Those who have been selected to join China’s talents introduction programs accredited by talents management authorities, such as the Program for the Introduction of Renowned Overseas Professors, 1,000 Talents Plan, 100 Talents Plan, and CAS Hundred Talents Project.
2. Those who have accomplished achievements in professional fields recognized internationally, including Nobel Prize winners, scholars from Academy of Science or Academy of Engineering in foreign countries, professors and vice professors taking a position in the world’s top 200 universities, etc.
3. Foreigners who are capable of taking market-oriented positions in enterprises encouraged by the government, including senior management staff in China’s state-owned enterprises, Fortune Global 500 Enterprises, etc.
China Talent Visa Requirements & Documents
1. Passport
- Your original passport valid for at least 6 months and a copy of its information page.
2. Application Form
- One accurately and truthfully completed China Visa Application Form signed by the applicant.
3. Recent Photo
- One recently-taken colored photo. The size of the photo should be 48mm x 33mm, with head width 21mm - 24mm and head length 28mm - 33mm, in white, light grey or light blue background.
4. The Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents
- to be obtained from China’s provincial level Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs. (Download Sample of the Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents)
5. Other documents as required by the Chinese embassy or consulate.
How to Apply for China R Visa
First, applicants need to ask the Chinese organization inviting them to apply online for the Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents, which may take five working days for processing.
Then prepare other documents mentioned above and submit all these documents to the Chinese embassy, consulate or Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) wherever available in person or by someone else or entrusted travel agent. Appointment is usually required. Meanwhile, mail applications are not acceptable by most embassies, consulates and CVASC. In cases where application by post at CVASC is available, extra service fee might be charged.
Processing Time
The normal processing takes about 4 working days and can be shortened to two working days only upon the request of the applicant. The same applies to the applicant’s spouse and minor children.
Chinese R Visa Fees
The talents and their accompanying spouses and minor children can get the visa for free. Neither do they need to pay for the express service fee. However, if applying through the CVASC, they may need to pay some money to the CVASC.
Things to Know after Entering China
Talents working in China with the R visa should apply for a Foreigners Work Permit with the help of their working organization at the local Foreigners Working Management Bureau or its entrusted agencies after entering. Their passports, R visa, the contract of employment, and a physical examination record will be required to submit.
As for the extension, renewal, and replacement of the Foreigners Work Permit, the contract of employment, or certificate of employment issued by the Chinese organization where they work in, a physical examination record, the original R visa and endorsement pages, and passport information page copies are required.
Further Reading:
8 Tips for Filling Out Chinese Visa Application Form
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0ReplyReplyIn the past three years, I had the opportunity to work online for a university in China until January 2024, utilizing my 10-Year R Talent Visa. The R Visa is valid until 2033.
My previous employer has said to that my R visa is still valid although I didn't renew my contract with this university for personal and family reasons. There is still some nine years validity left on the R visa and it doesn't have any specific remarks noted on the visa document, in terms of conditions regarding continuous or ongoing employment being necessary for its validity.
However, I may wish to travel to China and even retire there, possibly working part-time for a university depending on what's available. I would like to enquire about the validity of this existing R visa for possible long-term visits to China of 180 days at a time.
My last visit to China was in 2019. I wish to ensure that there will be no issues with my entries, noting that I did not renew my contract. Your timeous comments will be greatly appreciated.
00Reply00ReplyReply00ReplyReplyIn the past, I had the opportunity to visit and work at a university in China until August 2019, utilizing my 10-Year R Talent Visa. The R Visa is valid until 2029.
I am reaching out today to inquire about the validity of my existing visa for my upcoming visit to China, where I am scheduled to work as a visiting scientist at Tsinghua University. As I have not traveled to China since 2019 due to the impact of the COVID-19 situation, I wish to ensure that there will be no issues with my entry.
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