More overseas professionals consider Guangdong their number one choice for starting a business or career in China. Apart from opportunities, the province’s living conditions and public services are always their primary considerations when making a decision.
Expats that have been in Guangdong long enough and adapted to the local life are called as “Yang Lao Guang” (“overseas Cantonese” in English). Some it could be said have become even “more local than the locals” in recent years.
"I can feel the improvement"
Radu Gosav works in the office. (Photo by Eric)
"Guangdong’s living environment has kept improving over the past 17 years. Government services, education, medical services and transport are getting better and better,” said Radu Gosav.
Attracted by the booming electronics industry, Gosav came to Shenzhen in 2001 and has been working as the director of TÜV SÜD’s Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) Department for fifteen years now.
In the beginning, Gosav had to update his work permit and have a body check every six months. This procedure was then simplified in 2005 which has enabled him to skip the body check for as long as he works at the same company.
“You can feel the improvement through various city services,” said Gosav, “(for example) there is the Nanshan foreign service center, which is not far from my home. They are becoming more considerate and provide us with English application forms and a fluent English service.”
Gosav brought his wife and daughter to Guangdong in 2009, and successfully applied for a place for his daughter in an international school. "Although the school fees are expensive, its education quality is premium. I know that the province has more than 20 international schools offering overseas students different courses,” Gosav said.
"Green card policy gives a stronger sense of belonging"
Long Lesi [Photo provided by Huang Xuhao]
Apart from the satisfaction at better public services, many of these “Yang Lao Guang” also expressed a sense of belonging due to a series of favorable policies.
In April 2016, Guangzhou began to implement the talent green card policy. Cardholders are entitled to treatment equivalent to a local Chinese citizen in respect to home purchase, schooling of children, professional title appraisal, bank account application, business license application, driving license application, and vehicle registration.
"I really appreciate the green card policy," said Miguel Nunes, who is from Portugal and used to teach at University of Sheffield. He came to Guangzhou and has been working as the Dean of the School of Information Management at Sun Yat-sen University since 2016. Soon after arriving here, Miguel Nunes applied for the Guangzhou Talent Green Card, and now he even has a Chinese name Long Lesi.
Long Lesi believes that the green card policy gives overseas professionals sufficient confidence to live and work in Guangdong long term. "The green card will give expats the feeling of being welcomed by Guangdong, which is a very distinct advantage,” he said.
The new green card has a similar design to Chinese resident’s ID card with a chip that contains the cardholder’s name, gender, date of birth, nationality and other information.
Long Lesi, pointed out that applying pension and unemployment insurance is still a problem for expats, however, largely because of a lack of relevant regulations, the inconsistency between handling of Chinese residents’ ID numbers and expats’ green card numbers. “This is one of the reasons why many expats are reluctant to stay here in the long run,” said Long, “I hope the green card will be compatible with more services in the future.”
"Overseas talent visa policy is vital"
The Guangdong Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security issued the first batch of "Confirmation Letters for Foreign High-end Talents" on January 15th, marking the official launch of a foreign visa policy in the province. Spanish linguistics professor Rafael Guzman Tilado is among the first batch of expats to have received this confirmation.
"The policy has a great influence on my life and allows me to travel between countries more easily. I’m very happy and feel much relieved,” said Rafael. He is working for various institutions and needs to travel from country to country for lectures and seminars. In 2017, he encountered a long delay due to visa problems during travel between Spain and China. But with the new policy, he has no worries about visa issues.
Rafael’s wife and children have been granted equivalent visas. "It is wise for Guangdong to launch the foreign talent visa policy because it will help attract more overseas elites," Rafael said.
Being a linguist, Rafael is able to realize his childhood dreams now in Guangzhou – learning Chinese and even traditional martial arts. He hopes that he will have more opportunities to travel around Guangdong in the future.
Major reforms in visa and residency policies for expats
1. Green card policy
In August 2004, China officially implemented the green card policy. By the end of June 2018, 320 expats has obtained permanent residency in Guangdong.
2. Guangzhou talent green card
In April 2016, Guangzhou introduced the talent green card. Cardholders are entitled to treatment equivalent to a local Chinese citizen in respect to home purchase, schooling of children, professional title appraisal, bank account application, business license application, driving license application, and vehicle registration. In August 2018, Guangzhou decentralized the green card’s approval authority to Nansha and Huangpu.
3.Foreign talent visa policy
The Confirmation Letters for Foreign High-end Talent works as an express lane to attract overseas high-end professionals and those professionals in great demand. Being one of the nine pilot provinces nationwide, Guangdong started to implement the policy in January, 2018.
4."You Yue Card” (人才“优粤卡”制度）
The “You Yue Card” will be officially released soon in Guangdong. Seven types of overseas professionals including senior managers of foreign-invested enterprises will qualify for application. Cardholders can enjoy convenient services and treatment equivalent to Chinese citizens in respect to border entrance&exit, children’s schooling, social insurance, healthcare, finance, house purchase, and taxation etc.
ICP备案号: 粤B-20050235