State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs

The State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA) has set the classification standards for foreigners to work in China, established a feasible and pragmatic foreign talent assessment system concentrating on foreign personnel's ability, performance and contribution with an emphasis on market feedback, international peer evaluation and other market orientations.  Policy instruments – including a points system, a catalogue assisting foreigners working in China, a labor market testing mechanism and a quota system – will be utilized in a comprehensive manner in order to establish an assessment mechanism featuring real-time adjustment and positive guidance and enhance classified management. I. High-end talents (Category A) Foreign talents in Category A include scientists urgently needed by China to fuel its economic and social development, leading scientific and technological professionals, international entrepreneurs, and special talents who possess skills in high technology or top notch sectors that are in urgent need in China, so long as they meet one of the following requirements: (I)Selected candidates for China’s talent introduction programs (II) Individuals who meet internationally recognized standards of professional achievement (III) Foreign professionals who meet the demand for market-oriented jobs encouraged by China (IV) Innovative entrepreneurial talents (V) Excellent youth talents (VI) Professional talents with accumulated scores over 85 A level can automatically be granted to international award recipients, Fortune Global 500 company senior managers or technicians, intellectual property holders of high profile companies, and…