It’s important to stay on top of the changing visa requirements in the country of residence, and recently China has issued a highly exclusive R-Visa, which is given to people deemed having ‘high-level skills needed for the Chinese society’ or foreigners with talents sought for by the regime.
And it’s definately not just handed out to whoever may ask for it. A writer for China Law Insights describes the requirements as follows:
“Internationally recognized professional award winners, former senior executives in world Fortune 500 enterprises, associate professors or associate researchers in universities and other extraordinary talents are listed as such high-level talent.”
Reportedly the first foreigner who was talented enough to receive the special visa was Mr. Sajualumootil George, Microsoft’s HR Director in the Asia Pacific area.
On April 11th, SwedCham Beijing held a seminar on understanding the R-visa and the new regulations. Representatives of the Beijing Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs was present to present the R-visa and and how it will complement the work Z-visa.
The concept behind the R-visa is making life easier for the desired foreigners, granting a 5-10 year validity with multiple entries and can also make it easier to obtain a work permit later.
