China hopes to cut work permit red tape for foreigners as part of plan to boost Yangtze River Delta

Pilot projects to streamline the process will be introduced across the region, which includes major economic powerhouses such as Shanghai, Nanjing and Hangzhou

At present many foreign workers complain they have to navigate a maze of paperwork and renew their work permits annually

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The plan aims to attract more international talent to Shanghai as well as major cities across Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 12:00am, 3 Dec 2019Updated: 4:10am, 3 Dec 2019

Foreigners in China have long had cause to complain about the bureaucracy and paperwork involved in getting a working visa, but that may be about to change after the authorities unveiled plans to streamline the application process.

A policy document released on Sunday outlined plans for a series of pilot programmes to reduce the red tape involved in the process as part of a project to boost the Yangtze River Delta region, which includes major commercial hubs such as Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing.

The plans, rubber-stamped by the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the State Council, aims to streamline work permit applications, permanent residency and employment for overseas workers.

The plan aims to attract more international talent to major cities across Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces as well as Shanghai.

It also aims to provide more foreigner-friendly schools, hospitals and other facilities in the region.

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