Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the "One-Card" Service system for Foreign High-End Talents in Hangzhou City

The first articleIn order to thoroughly implement the spirit of the "Opinions of the State Council on Strengthening the Implementation of the Innovation-Driven Development Strategy and Further Promoting the Deep Development of Mass Entrepreneurship and Innovation" (Guofa [2017] No. 37) and the "Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs and Three Other Departments on Piloting the 'One-Card' System for High-Level Foreign Talents" (Waizhuanfa [2017] No. 223), to attract more high-level foreign talents to Hangzhou for innovation and entrepreneurship, to optimize their working and living environment, and to ensure that foreign talents aspiring to develop in China can come, stay, be effectively utilized, and move freely, these detailed rules are hereby formulated in light of the actual conditions of our city.

The second articleThe Municipal Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs is the leading department responsible for implementing the "one-card" service system for high-level foreign talents in our city, tasked with issuing the "Foreigner Work Permit" and coordinating the implementation of related supporting services.

The third articleHigh-level foreign talents holding a "Foreigner Work Permit" (Type A) may enjoy the preferential policies and relevant services under the "one-card" system.

The fourth articleProcedures for applying for a "Foreigner Work Permit" (Type A):

(1) Employers log into the Foreigners Working in China Management Service System (website: http://fwp.safea.gov.cn/) and submit an application for a work permit for foreigners coming to China. Those who meet the requirements may apply for a "Foreigner Work Permit" (Type A).

(2) Within five working days, the Municipal Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs conducts a preliminary review of the materials submitted online. If the materials are complete and compliant, the preliminary review is approved; if incomplete or non-compliant, applicants will be notified once online of the materials needing correction.

(3) After passing the preliminary review, employers may submit paper-based materials to any of the city's work permit acceptance windows for foreigners coming to China. Upon verification, the window will accept the application. (High-level foreign talents selected for domestic talent introduction programs are exempt from submitting paper materials.)

(4) Following acceptance, the Municipal Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs reviews the application within five working days. If the applicant meets the required conditions and standards, the application is approved; otherwise, a written decision of disapproval will be issued, accompanied by a clear explanation.

Once approved, employers should choose the nearest work permit processing window for foreigners coming to China throughout the city to collect the "Foreigner Work Permit" (Type A) in person.

The fifth articleContents of the "one-card" services:

(1) Optimization of work convenience policies for high-level foreign talents. Eligible foreign talents may apply for long-term work permits valid for two to five years. For special talents recognized by the Municipal Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, certain approval criteria regarding age and work experience may be appropriately relaxed. Multiple-entry visas with a maximum validity of five years may be issued to high-level foreign talents in need. Eligible high-level foreign talents may apply for a "Certificate of Confirmation for High-Level Foreign Talents" and use this certificate to apply for a Talent (R-type) visa.

(2) Improvement of the educational service system for children of foreign talents. Building upon the existing seven international schools for children of expatriates, we will rationally plan and introduce high-quality international schools, focusing on cultivating renowned institutions to better meet the educational needs of foreign children residing in Hangzhou. All municipal primary and secondary schools are fully open to children of foreign talents, encouraging schools to improve their management and service systems and enhance their capacity to accommodate these students.

(3) Enhancement of medical care and insurance coverage for foreign talents. Implementing an internationalization action plan for healthcare, all municipal Grade III hospitals will establish international medical treatment areas, further improving guidance services for foreign patients and strengthening mechanisms to safeguard their medical rights.

(4) Provision of customized commercial insurance and financial services. Through cooperation with major insurance companies, we offer tailored insurance products to foreign workers in Hangzhou at prices more competitive than similar market offerings, along with value-added services such as medical guidance and accompaniment during hospital visits. In accordance with unified arrangements by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs and Bank of China headquarters, restrictions preventing foreigners from obtaining credit cards have been lifted, allowing high-level foreign talents holding a "Foreigner Work Permit" (Type A) to apply for credit cards, with plans to explore additional financial services.

(5) Enrichment of lifestyle services for foreign talents. Expanding the scope of citizen card issuance to include foreign residents, providing access to social insurance, smart healthcare, financial transportation, library borrowing, campus fitness, park annual passes, temple annual tickets, and other services, enabling them to enjoy the same benefits as local citizens.

(6) Ensuring housing support for foreign talents through home purchase and rental assistance. Eligible foreign talents may purchase residential properties with foreign sales licenses. High-level foreign talents holding a "Foreigner Work Permit," recognized as high-caliber personnel by our city, and meeting additional admission criteria such as signing employment contracts with local enterprises, possessing permanent residency permits, or Zhejiang Province's "Red Card," may receive subsidies for home purchases or rentals. Districts, counties, and cities are encouraged to formulate preferential policies for housing purchases and rentals targeting high-level foreign talents. Foreign talents holding Zhejiang Province's high-caliber resident permit ("Red Card") may contribute to the housing provident fund and enjoy corresponding benefits.

The sixth articleGuarantee measures and work requirements:

(1) The Municipal Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs regularly organizes promotional training sessions on the "one-card" policy to help employers and high-level foreign talents understand relevant regulations.

(2) Employers shall designate a dedicated service officer responsible for assisting "one-card" holders in making full use of related policies and implementing supporting services. The list of designated officers and their contact information must be reported to the Municipal Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.

(3) A coordination group for the "one-card" system will be established under the leadership of the Municipal Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, collaborating with the municipal departments of education, housing and urban-rural development, health, finance, and other relevant agencies to jointly organize special activities such as joint field visits, problem-solving meetings, and random inspections, thereby coordinating solutions to difficult and pressing issues arising during the implementation of the "one-card" system.

(4) Conduct regular comprehensive evaluations of the operation of the "one-card" system, summarizing experiences, identifying problems, promptly rectifying deficiencies, and reporting to the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.

(5) The Municipal Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs has set up and publicized a hotline for reporting "one-card" service complaints, accepting reports and complaints at any time and addressing them promptly.

Should "one-card" holders or their employers engage in any violations or acts of dishonesty during the application or use of the "one-card" system, once discovered, their "one-card" will be canceled and revoked, and they will be subject to strict disciplinary actions in accordance with relevant regulations.

The seventh articleThese detailed implementation rules shall take effect as of August 20, 2018.