Summary:

Chinese government has announced plans to liberalise China’s visa policy for recent overseas graduates from both Chinese and overseas universities. Recent master’s degree graduates meeting certain conditions will now be able to work in China even without previous work experience.

China’s previous work visa policy made it difficult for international graduates of the country’s universities to stay in the country after graduation, as a work permit required two years of prior work experience. The new announcement waives this requirement for applicants who have graduated with a Master’s degree or above from either a Chinese university or a “famous overseas university” within the last year. In addition, the applicant’s position must be related to their field of study and they must have achieved average grades of at least 80 per cent or a B under the letter grade system, with no disciplinary violations.

The announcement does not make any changes to visa policy for graduates holding bachelor’s degrees or below.

Analysis by Kevin Prest:

The main effect of the policy is likely to be an increase in the attractiveness of China as a study destination, especially for students from developing countries. Although some regional governments such as Shanghai had recently introduced policies on issuing work permits to recent graduates from domestic universities this was not the case nationwide and the previous policies only applied to graduates working in the same region as the university where they studied.

The policy will also make it easier for UK citizens and non-Chinese international students to pursue a career in China after graduating from a university in the UK, which may have an effect on the attractiveness of relevant Master’s degree courses. This may help to boost links between UK and Chinese institutions in fields such as student exchange and employability, and to open new opportunities for cooperation between UK universities and Chinese enterprises.

Sources:

1. Ministry of Human Resource and Social Security – Statement of Allowing Outstanding  Foreign Graduates Without Work Experience Search for Work in China (Chinese): http://www.mohrss.gov.cn/gkml/xxgk/201701/t20170111_264214.html
2. China Daily – Opportunities for 'excellent' foreign graduates in China (English): http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2017-01/15/content_27957036.htm