The city unveiled 30 new measures to attract high-quality talents in its latest push to accelerate building itself into the City of Innovation and an industrial science and technology innovation center with global influence yesterday, Shenzhen Talent Day.

To lure top-notch global talents in sectors such as integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, biomedicine, new energy vehicles, new energy storage, high-end equipment, the ocean, low-altitude economy, and new materials, the city will provide a comprehensive favorable policy package to facilitate their career development, research and daily life, according to the measures.

Foreign talents’ border entry and exit policies will be further eased. Qualified high-level foreign talents will be granted the R visa, or talent visa, which is specially designed for high-level foreign talents and talented personnel in short supply needed for Chinese social and economic development. Those working in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone will enjoy even easier and faster entry and exit services. The city will also explore simplifying procedures for work permits and residence permits for foreign talents in certain areas.

For newly introduced doctoral graduates and holders of master’s and bachelor’s degrees from prestigious domestic and overseas universities under the age of 35, living allowances will be provided. The policy applies to eligible foreigners and youths from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.

The city will encourage international technology, talent, and economic organizations to set up headquarters, branches, or representative offices in the city.

It will also pick up pace in the introduction and cultivation of world-class scientific journals and organize high-level international academic conferences.

The city will establish an evaluation-free recognition system for domestic and international high-level talents, with no details available. 

Local universities and colleges are encouraged to introduce high-end cutting-edge courses in science and technology innovation, and work with research institutions, industry associations, leading enterprises, and foundations to establish scholarships for key disciplines. Support will be given to new-type talent development institutions such as the Shenzhen X-Institute and Shenzhen Innovation Institute to explore a new path for cultivating world-leading innovative and entrepreneurial talents.

Companies, universities, research institutions, and investment agencies are encouraged to establish research and development institutions overseas.

The city will encourage cooperation between the city’s innovation entities and renowned domestic and international universities, research institutes, companies, and industry associations to jointly carry out talent training, promote key technological breakthroughs, and facilitate technology transfer.

It will explore the establishment of special funds to support domestic and international scientific talents in conducting proof-of-concept activities.

Talents can enjoy affordable housing or government-subsidized rental housing, and rent subsidies will be provided to talents renting non-affordable housing. The city will build high-quality internationalized talent communities in talent-concentrated areas to facilitate their working and living.

The city will also create a “worry-free” environment for education, elderly care, and medical services for talents, facilitating their children’s education and parents’ settlement in the city.

A medical advisory service system for high-level talents will be set up to provide medical advice and health care services.