Province Eases Visa, Schools & More in 8 New Policies
Source: OT-Team(G), 红网
Hunan Province recently unveiled the Eight Measures to Optimize the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Environment for Foreign Nationals in Hunan.
The measures, effective from June 1, 2025, will remain in force for five years.
1. Streamlining Entry Procedures
Hunan will leverage visa exemption policies, including mutual visa waivers, unilateral visa exemptions, and 144-hour transit visa waivers, to ease entry for qualified foreign professionals. The National Immigration Administration’s 12367 service platform will provide 24/7 multilingual consultation.
Airports will enhance foreign-language signage and services through staff training, volunteer recruitment, and smart translation devices. Major airports will establish "Comprehensive Service Centers for Overseas Visitors" to offer one-stop assistance.
A dedicated section on the Xiangyiban super mobile app will guide foreigners through identity verification, immigration registration, accommodation, mobile payments, transportation (including English maps and navigation), medical appointments, and ticket bookings.
Business visa services will be optimized: local enterprises may invite frequent business visitors and their families for five-year multi-entry M visas (180 days per stay). Short-term visitors can apply for port visas at Changsha Huanghua and Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airports, with extensions available for eligible applicants.
2. Optimizing Work Procedures
Hunan will expand the "one-stop" service pilot for foreign workers, simplify work permit applications, and integrate health checks, work permits, and residence permits under a unified processing system. Work permits and social security cards will also be merged for efficiency.
3. Improving the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
The province will bolster international talent innovation bases and startup incubators, offering office space, legal consultancy, and funding. Business registration will be streamlined with online verification and multi-certificate integration. Foreign exchange services will be enhanced, and intellectual property protection for foreign-funded firms will be strengthened.
4. Enhancing Daily Convenience
Hunan plans to develop international communities, cultural streets, and regular exchange events. Foreigners meeting requirements may purchase commercial housing, with subsidies for talent apartments. Bilingual rental services and standardized lease contracts will be promoted.
Payment convenience will improve with expanded foreign card (UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard) acceptance, duty-free shops, and easier tax refunds. Telecom services will optimize multilingual support, and ticket booking will accommodate passports and permanent residence IDs.
5. Upgrading Medical Services
Private medical institutions catering to foreigners will be encouraged, while public hospitals may open international clinics with multilingual booking and "green channels" for high-end talent. Insurance partnerships will simplify medical billing for expatriates.
6. Strengthening Communication Channels
Feedback mechanisms will be established for policy formulation. Regular talent-enterprise matchmaking events will be held, and permanent residency applications for top foreign talent will be expedited, with family members eligible for joint applications.
7. Ensuring Education Access
International high school programs will improve, and schools for expatriate children will be better coordinated. Language support and cultural adaptation courses will help foreign students integrate.
8. Increasing Incentives
Provincial-level foreign expert projects will offer higher rewards, including up to RMB 1 million in subsidies for eligible top-tier talent. The "Xiaoxiang Friendship Award" will recognize outstanding foreign experts, who may also be nominated for national honors. At least 15% of provincial foreign expert funding will target young professionals.
