Policies on Advanced Manufacturing
(I) Enabling Enterprises to Innovate and Develop
1. For enterprises listed in the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Multiplication Plan, an annual R&D subsidy of up to RMB 10 million will be given to each enterprise.
2. Technology innovation projects of enterprises on the White List of Technology Innovation Fund Enterprises Projects will be given a financing support of not more than 90% of the total investment and up to 500 million yuan. Enterprises on the White List of Technology Innovation Fund Enterprises will be given a financing support of not more than 50% of the R&D expenses of the previous year and up to 50 million yuan. Enterprises' financing cost is set at 2% per year, and the difference between enterprises' financing cost and banks' return will be subsidized by the government. For the projects of capital increase, production expansion and technological innovation with a total investment of 500 million yuan or more implemented by enterprises listed in the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Multiplication Plan, a special subsidy for technical innovation of 10% of the equipment investment and up to 60 million yuan be given, and 50% of the subsidy can be allocated in advance.
Enterprises rated as the national pilot demonstration project for the integrated development of new-generation information technology and manufacturing industry, the national industrial Internet pilot demonstration project, the national industrial Internet platform innovation pioneering application case, and the national intelligent manufacturing demonstration factory will be awarded an incentive of up to 1 million yuan. Enterprises that obtain the title of national intelligent manufacturing excellent scenarios will be awarded an incentive of up to 500,000 yuan.
(II) Land Use Support for Major Projects
For industrial projects identified by Xiamen as priority industries with intensive land use and a total investment of over RMB 1 billion, the base price for land transfer can be set as not less than 70% of the lowest price standard for industrial land corresponding to the land grade of the location.
(III) Vigorously Developing and Introducing High-level Enabling Platforms
Xiamen has vigorously supported domestically and internationally well-known industrial Internet platforms to create benchmark platforms for digital empowerment in the city, to provide digital and intelligent services for enterprises. A subsidy of 5% of the digital service revenue will be given, with a maximum cumulative subsidy of 5 million yuan per enterprise. Cross-industry and cross-domain industrial Internet platforms certified by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of PRC can enjoy a subsidy of up to 10 million yuan.
Key Preferential Policies for Foreign Talents in Xiamen
I. Immigration and Residence
1. Handling of Work and Residence Permits. Foreign talents recognized by the talent and science & technology authorities of Xiamen Municipal People’s Government are eligible to apply for long-term visas or residence permits with a validity of up to 5 years. Foreign talents can participate in Xiamen’s professional technical and skills evaluations, the results of which can serve as the basis for applying for work-related residence permits valid for up to 5 years.
2. Application for Permanent Residence. Foreign high-level talents can be recommended for handling permanent residence applications by management departments of Xiamen Free Trade Zone, Fuzhou-Xiamen-Quanzhou Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone, and Haicang Taiwanese Investment Zone. Foreign nationals working in China who have worked continuously for 4 years, resided for at least 6 months each year, earned an annual salary of not less than six times the average salary of local employed urban workers in the previous year, and paid individual income tax of not less than 20% of their annual salary, are eligible to apply for permanent residence. Their foreign spouses and minor children can apply concurrently.
II. Work Support
3. Employment in Public Institutions with Equal Treatment. Foreign talents employed by Xiamen’s public institutions will receive the same benefits as local employees in terms of salary, pension insurance, medical insurance, job promotion, and professional title evaluation
4. Establishment of Overseas Academician Workstations and Famous Doctor Workstations. Overseas academicians and experts establishing academician workstations in Xiamen’s enterprises and institutions will be given an establishment subsidy of up to 1.5 million yuan; those establishing famous doctor workstations in medical institutions will be given an annual funding subsidy of up to 500,000 yuan.
5. Conduct of Postdoctoral Work. Foreign talents engaged in postdoctoral work in Xiamen’s enterprises and institutions can receive an annual living subsidy of 120,000 yuan for two years. Those with doctoral degrees from top 200 universities worldwide can receive a higher subsidy of 150,000 yuan per year. Those who stay and work in Xiamen after completing their postdoctoral work in the workstation can receive an additional resettlement subsidy of 300,000 yuan.
6. Application for Double-Hundred Talents Program Support. Foreign talents engaged in technological R&D and entrepreneurship can apply for the Double-Hundred Talents Program. Those selected for innovative individuals can receive a subsidy of 1 million yuan, those for innovative teams can receive 3 million yuan, and those for entrepreneurial talents can receive project support of up to 5 million yuan.
7. Application for “Qunlu Xingxia” Talent Program Support. Foreign talents working in key sectors in Xiamen such as software information, integrated circuits, biomedicine, education, and healthcare can apply for the “Qunlu Xingxia” Talent Program and receive a subsidy of up to 1 million yuan.
III. Living Security
8. Twelve Measures for Talent Ecosystem. Foreign talents can apply for recognition as Xiamen high-level talents and enjoy 12 preferential living security measures, including housing security, children education, healthcare, and spouse placement.
Lump-sum Living Subsidy for Newly Introduced Talents: Newly introduced foreign talents who have been employed in Xiamen for at least 3 months can apply for a living subsidy of up to 80,000 yuan based on their academic qualifications.
Free Accommodation: Foreign graduates with full-time college degrees or higher who come to Xiamen for job hunting or internships within three years of graduation can apply for free accommodation for up to 12 months cumulatively.
Immigration and Customs Facilitation: Foreign high-level talents can apply for or exchange an R visa at the port of entry or after entering China. Door-to-door services are available for permanent residence applications. When applying for long-term residence, applications may be subject to acceptance without sufficient application materials if the applicant commits to provide them within a specified time. Foreign high-level talents can apply for an APEC Business Travel Card, allowing for easier entry and exit among APEC economies. Eligible foreign high-level talents importing a reasonable quantity of research, educational, and personal items can enjoy duty-free customs clearance in accordance with regulations.
Medical Appointment: Foreign talents can make outpatient appointments through the “Beautiful Xiamen Smart Health” WeChat official account and the 96166 Citizen Health Hotline’s “Foreign Talent Service”. English-language guidance services are available at hospitals such as First Hospital, Zhongshan Hospital, Children’s Hospital, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, to facilitate medical services for foreign talents in Xiamen.
Financial Services: Foreign high-level talents establishing enterprises can apply for equity investment of 1-5 million yuan from the municipal scientific and technological innovation and entrepreneurship guidance fund, with the fund accounting for not more than 20% of the total equity of the invested enterprise; they can also apply for scientific and technological credit loans of up to 5 million yuan, scientific and technological guaranteed loans of up to 20 million yuan, and scientific and technological guaranteed insurance loans of up to 3 million yuan, and enjoy corresponding loan discounts, premium subsidies and other support.
Legal Services: Foreign high-level talents can receive free legal consulting services at designated law firms. When hiring a designated firm for legal affairs like arbitration and litigation, review and drafting of legal documents, and assignment of legal advisers, they are entitled to a discount of at least 20% on service fees. Foreign high-level talents can also enjoy free notarization for personal statements and employment experience in the municipal notary institutions, as well as free intellectual property rights depository services. When handling notarization of educational background, professional technical titles, and evidence of infringement, they are entitled to a discount of at least 20% on service fees.
Transportation: Foreign high-level talents can enjoy free rides on Xiamen’s metro, BRT, and public buses; free access to Kulangsu using the citizens’ channel at the ferry terminal, with up to 3 accompanying persons also free of charge; and free access to the first-class cabin security check lane at Xiamen Airport. Class B and above foreign high-level talents have five free uses per year of the first-class lounge at Xiamen Airport and the business waiting area at Xiamen Railway Station, while Class C talents have three free uses per year.
Cultural and Recreational Services: Foreign high-level talents are entitled to at least a 20% discount on tickets at institutions such as the Banlam Grand Theater, Jiageng Theater, and Minnan Opera Arts Center. They can apply for a tourism annual card with no annual fee, which grants free entry to various scenic spots, including Kulangsu, and enjoy a minimum of 20% discount on venue booking fees or membership cards for gyms such as the Xiamen Sports Center and Xiamen Workers’ Stadium. A number of exclusive “Egret Talent Meeting Rooms” are established, offering a high-quality environment for relaxation and discussions for foreign high-level talents.
