Guide to Support Policies for Overseas Students in Guangzhou to Work and Start Businesses in the City
The "Guangzhou Regulations on Encouraging Overseas Returnees to Work in Guangzhou" was initially promulgated by the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government onJuly 8, 2012and has undergonerevisions in 2015 and 2019before coming into effect as ofOctober 1, 2012thereby repealing the previous version issued in 1999.
This policy aims to attract overseas returnees to work in Guangzhou, fully leveraging their expertise and international exchange advantages to promote Guangzhou’s development as a city strong in talent.
Those who meet any of the following conditions and obtain the relevant certification may enjoy preferential treatment:
1. Having studied abroad at government expense or at personal expense and obtained a master’s degree or higher.
2. Having obtained a master’s degree or higher in China and subsequently undertaken advanced studies or served as a visiting scholar abroad for at least one year, or having conducted postdoctoral research and achieved research outcomes.
3. Personnel from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan who have pursued degrees or conducted postdoctoral research and meet the aforementioned educational and achievement requirements shall be treated accordingly.
1. Taking up employment or holding part-time positions in state organs, enterprises, institutions, or other organizations.
2. Founding, contracting, or leasing economic entities and R&D institutions.
3. Contributing patents, proprietary technologies, or capital as equity in enterprises.
4. Serving as consultants or expert advisors to government bodies or enterprises and institutions.
5. Engaging in scientific research cooperation, technological development, and related activities.
PrinciplesFreedom of movement, ease of entry and exit, alignment between education and application, and full utilization of individual talents.
1. Remuneration shall be determined through negotiation between the employer and the overseas returnee, with favorable terms applied.
2. Years of service before and after studying abroad can be combined; periods of continuous study toward master’s and doctoral degrees shall be counted as continuous years of service.
3. Years of contributions to pension and medical insurance schemes can be combined.
4. For the first application for professional technical positions, evaluation may be conducted directly based on actual competence; high-level overseas returnees may be appointed directly to corresponding positions without being subject to restrictions on length of service or post quotas.
5. Criteria for identifying high-level overseas returnees: individuals who have achieved significant accomplishments in their overseas professional fields, are urgently needed talents, or possess promising patents or proprietary technologies.
1. Managing AuthoritiesThe Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau is responsible for service management; the Guangzhou Center for Overseas Returnee Services provides comprehensive services, issues certifications, assists with applications, and handles administrative procedures on behalf of applicants.
2. Personnel Agency ServicesHigh-level overseas returnees may enjoy two years of free personnel agency services.
3. Household Registration and Family MattersOverseas returnees arriving in Guangzhou, along with their accompanying spouses and minor children, may apply for local household registration. Eligible children may enroll in nearby kindergartens and schools and receive policy-based care.
4. Travel to Hong Kong and MacaoApplicants may apply for official multiple-entry permits for travel to Hong Kong and Macao or for outbound travel approvals, enjoying green channel processing and convenient permit issuance.
5. Vehicle PurchaseWithin one year of first re-entry after graduation, eligible individuals may apply to purchase one duty-free domestically produced compact car (provided they have not stayed abroad for more than two years).
1. Special Funds:To improve living conditions and working environments. Funding is provided for short-term services, lectures, technical support, and international exchanges. Support is also given to innovation, entrepreneurship, and the establishment of entrepreneurial bases.
2. Entrepreneurial Approaches:Contributions may be made in the form of intellectual property rights, equity, or creditor’s rights. Enterprises founded in Guangzhou that are recognized as high-tech companies may enjoy preferential policies. Eligible scientific and technological achievements may apply for funding from the industrialization guidance fund.
3. Incubation and Bases:Incubators and maker spaces are encouraged to attract entrepreneurial projects initiated by overseas returnees. Enterprises and entrepreneurial parks established by overseas returnees may apply to be designated as “Overseas High-Level Talent Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bases,” and upon approval will receive financial subsidies.
1. Selection and Recognition:The “Top Ten Outstanding Returned Overseas Chinese Professionals in Guangzhou” selection will be conducted.
2. Statistics and Information Database:The municipal statistics department has established a statistical system for returned overseas professionals. The municipal human resources and social security department has created an information database for both returning and departing overseas professionals, enabling resource sharing.
3. Financial Subsidies:Overseas returnees who have already received similar subsidies are not eligible to receive duplicate benefits under these regulations.
1. Labor DisputesIn case of labor disputes between overseas returnees and their employers, either party may apply to the labor dispute arbitration institution for arbitration.
2. Special Funds and Supporting MeasuresThese shall be formulated within one year of the implementation of these regulations by the municipal departments of human resources and social security, science and technology, and intellectual property, in coordination with the municipal finance department.
- These regulations shall come into force as ofOctober 1, 2012thereby repealing the 1999 edition of the “Guangzhou Regulations on Encouraging Overseas Returnees to Work in Guangzhou.”