Beijing expands qualification catalogue to woo global talents

Beijing expanded its catalogue of recognized oversea professional qualifications in a bid to attract more foreign talents to the city. It has also unveiled a series of policies to facilitate their visas, work and residence permits.

The updated catalogue issued by the Beijing municipal government contains 110 recognized overseas professional qualifications, with more items in science and technology, finance, health and other fields.

There are four urgently needed professional qualifications, namely, Fellow of IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), Senior Member of IEEE, Fellow of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and FCCA (Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).

Professionals holding these qualifications under the age of 65 can apply for work permits with no restrictions on educational background or work experiences. Multiple-entry visa or residence permit within five years are available for them.

Personnel with the four urgently needed qualifications may apply for the Confirmation Letter for High-Level Foreign Talents and permanent residence, apart from other preferential policies such as professional title evaluation.

Beijing unveiled the updated catalogue and supporting policies in a bid to promote its construction of an international science and technology innovation center and pilot program on business environment.

The city has set up a service platform for the verification of the professional qualifications. Through overseas websites, emails, and telephones, the qualifications can be checked for free from five to 30 days.

The verification results can be used as the basis of application of work and residence permits, and talent introduction.

The first edition of the catalogue was issued last September with 82 overseas professional qualifications.