As of 2023, the entry requirements for Guangzhou have changed. First, for the skilled workers, the age limit has been eased by five years for bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degrees. Additionally, applicants with intermediate and advanced professional titles have the same advantage. Moreover, the requirement to hold consecutive half-year social insurance has been removed for undergrads of Double First Class universities. It merely requires participation in social insurance. Second, the application process for recent graduates has been streamlined, making it less complicated. Applicants who pursue employment or self-employment in Guangzhou can skip the bureaucratic hassle by starting the application process directly with public security agencies.
For those seeking to move to Guangzhou, the city offers four options: Point-based entry, education-based entry, title-based entry, and skill-based entry.
The point-based entry system prioritizes applicants with more points, meaning that the higher your score, the better positioned you are for entry. To qualify, you must:
- Be legally and steadily employed or self-employed in Guangzhou
- Be under 45 years of age
- Hold an effective Guangdong Residence Permit
- Have paid social insurance for at least four years
- Score at least 150 points in the Guangzhou Point System Indicator (previously 100 points)
- Have no criminal record in the past five years
The education-based entry system requires a bachelor's degree from a regular university or college. The applicant should not have a criminal record and should be under the age of 40. Full-time students or recent graduates do not require six months of social insurance.
The title-based entry system, also known as the certification-based entry system, is suitable for those with limited education background or those who have insufficient social insurance records. Those with an intermediate-level credential in system integration certification or under 40 years of age and six months' contribution to social insurance should apply. Applicants are eligible for a senior-level credential in information project management certification, under the age of 50 and with social insurance contributions during the application period.
The skill-based entry system is for those who hold a qualification certificate and are employed in a relevant skill-based industry in Guangzhou. In comparison to the other entry systems, those who meet the following conditions have a relatively easier time entering Guangzhou:
1. Applicants who work in occupations listed in the Technical and Skillful Talents Catalogue of the city.
2. Applicants who have obtained a certificate or a qualification examination and have worked and paid social insurance for over six months in the city (except for special cases specified by transitional policies).
It is essential to know which entry system is best suited for you before you consider moving to Guangzhou. With the simplified application procedures, potential applicants need not worry about filling out many forms or consulting with officials for months. What's crucial is that all applicants meet the necessary requirements for their preferred entry system.