China is offering long-term visas for foreigners of ethnic Chinese descent to live in the country for up to five years.
Business Insider reports that the new visas are being rolled out to encourage foreigners to live in China to strengthen its econonmic development.
China’s Ministry of Public Security announced last week that longer-term visas for ethnic Chinese foreigners living abroad that will allow them to stay in the country for up to five years.
Such visas will be issued to ethnic Chinese people who live overseas but who need to visit family or conduct business in China.
Applications for the new visa will open on 1 February. Those applying must prove their Chinese ancestry through a parent or grandparent.
According to officials, the new scheme is hoped to encouraged more overseas Chinese to “participate in China’s economic development.”
Foreigners who excel in science, technology, business or sport can apply for an extended work visa for up to 10 years.
Successful applicants are expected to earn at least six times China’s average annual wage, which was 92,477 yuan in Beijing in 2016.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, “these new measures to optimize and reform visa system will enhance the openness in drawing in foreign talents, attracting more of them to participate in China’s advancement, and boost China’s overall capacity for innovation.”
