By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: China will rank expats as an A/B/C talent
China will rank expats based on their 'talent' in new streamlined work permit system
In its continuing quest to attract more highly-skilled foreign talent -- and limit the number of less-skilled laowai -- China is planning to streamline its work visa system, while also neatly categorizing all the expats.
Currently, if you want to work in China, there are two types of work permits you can apply for: an employment license for foreigners from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security or a foreign expert work permit from the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA).
The system has always been a bit confusing, what with figuring out who is a foreign expert and who is not. And one permit is obviously easier than two, so China has decided to simply combine them into a single unified work permit. According to the SAFEA, this will help to simplify the process and reduce the paper. High-end foreign talent hate nothing more than complicated paperwork, so SAFEA reasons that these new rules will help see the number of highly-skilled expats in China swell.
However, perhaps the more interesting revelation about these new rules comes later, with the administration explaining that it will classify all foreign workers into three distinct categories: A (top talent), B (professional talent), and C (unskilled workers or those working the service industry).
While a "green channel" for applying for a work visa will be opened to those A-graded individuals, the B and C categories of expats will be limited by the government.
So, how exactly will you be graded? Well, as you might expect, it's all rather vague. The Global Times explains that foreigners will be given points based on: their salary in China, their educational background, how long they've worked in China, their Chinese language proficiency, their age, and where they work (you'll get more points for working in less developed regions).
85 points or higher? You get an A, congratulations, you're one of the good ones! Only 60 points or higher? That's a B, still have some work to do. Below 60 points? Sorry, you're a C-level talent. You have been judged and found wanting.
Excited to find out your rank? Well, the reform goes nationwide next April, but a trial run will begin in October for those living in Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin, as well as in Anhui, Guangdong, Hebei, Ningxi, Shandong and Sichuan.
Whether you're an A, B, or C, you'll get a snazzy new work permit card with an identification number that can be used like your passport to buy train tickets and such.
This year, China has been cracking down on "illegal foreigners," while also trying their best to attract more top-level talent. Last month, the Shanghai government relaxed its age restrictions for foreign workers -- just so long as those foreign workers are corporate execs.
So I guess I'D rank a B. 8 years in China, Good salary, Good degree and can speak amazing Chinese.
How about you?
7 years 31 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
They always claim that the push is to attract more top talent and get rid of illegals/ unqualified teacher but the result has always been the opposite. My school went from having all native English speakers to having about 2 non native speakers with heavy accents (EDIT: in addition to a few native English teachers). And they had to condense some classes and shifting more to Chinese teachers to eliminate 1 or 2spots because it was very difficult to find native English speakers. Add to it, nore and more Eastern Europeans are working in training schools who have shifted their focus to children.
I don't know about other fields, but when it comes to English teaching, China is trying to push out qualified English teachers. Unqualified English teachers can still work legally through agencies. They're paid less and work more hours. A university I used to work at, several years ago, fired half of their FTs because they were shifting to using an agency. One of the teachers had a serious mental illness and was harassing his students but still wasn't fired until the last month of the semester. Beijing summer camp teachers must all go through one particular agency.
I only have my own experiences and the changes I've seen over the last 5 years, anyone else wants to chime in?
ironman510:
I feel they will be racist, choosing particular passports for those extra points and than in the end most 85% of ESL teachers will be in the B category. Let's face it, top talent won't come to China for 20,000 a month, my uncle with his Masters in Science makes Y45,000 in Dubai and that same salary in Korea, in Beijing they offered him 18,500. So welcome to the B's. Unless they wanna make ESL a.C category lol
Shining_brow:
I met a couple from Estonia last night who both work at a college now. I'd hire her in my school any time! (and probably him, but we didn't talk as much for me to get a full idea). Zero problems with accent!!! Many other NNES I'd hire as well! And, of course, lots of NES who I wouldn't hire!
For ESL, yeah - it's going to be purely based on passport... even though the rest of the world doesn't (and it still works!!!)
"their salary in China, their educational background, how long they've worked in China, their Chinese language proficiency, their age, and where they work (you'll get more points for working in less developed regions)."
So, someone who is about to come into the country will be a C, cos of educational background may be great, age indeterminate - but everything else is a nothing! (unless, zero years in China is a bonus! As suggested in the other thread on this).
One of the super idiotic things about here - anyone want to come here to be a professor at a good university? I didn't think so! Some of the worst salaries in the world... Even BeiDa, Shanghai Jiaotong, etc only pay about 5000 for their professors!!! (cos, you know, the locals get LOTS of kickbacks that the FT's will never have access to).
ironman510:
Agreed C for new troops and B for guys that look like the B's they want and Passports with a B at the end.
Englteachted:
Exactly, very flawed think on its face and does not = attract new talent
So for now on if you are a C u can expect 20000 and under...and if yer A or B yer looking for a serious pay raise as a return on investments for said talents.
No idea how I would rank but I work for myself remotely so I wouldn't need their stupid branding to be begin with... I would just get a marriage visa and just continue my own business.
Chinese officials don't care because they can't understand what I do and they don't care as long I am not working illegally for any company in China (mainly teaching English).
So would ESL teachers mainly be a "B" or "C"?
Sounds to me like "C" is reserved for people that come over to work in like in restaurants, hotel or in tourism etc. No? Would many ESL teachers fall into the "C" category?
ironman510:
I got this feeling they will put us as the "C" unless we have a masters degree to shut them up with. We'll find out soon, maybe by Nov or Dec 2016 if someone can post it for us after they get the results.
silverbutton1:
im guessing as for education:
C for ESL, language school "hogwon". low to mid tier univ.
B public school, experimental school, upper tier univ.
A private school, international school, boarding school, etc.
