On October 22, 2020, the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area International Talent Service Center was officially put into operation, becoming the first service center in Beijing to handle both work permits and resident permits for foreigners. It also serves as the Entry/Exit Service Center for Foreigners of Daxing District Branch of Beijing Public Security Bureau and Foreigners Work-related Service Center to provide one-stop services in work permits and resident permits for foreigners. The service center realized joint handling of the two permits for the first time in Beijing that day. 

According to the arrangements for the development of the Integrated National Demonstration Zone for Opening up the Services Sector, Beijing Municipal Talent Work Bureau and Beijing Public Security Bureau decided to build the entry/exit service center for foreigners in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA) to facilitate entry/exit services. In order to push forward high-quality development of the BDA, the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and the People's Government of Beijing Municipality decided to support the expansion of the BDA and authorize it with the power of initial approval of foreigners’ work permits in the same year.

“After over one year's preparation, we have successfully established the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area International Talent Service Center, a platform providing high-level services for foreigners and handling relevant matters within the BDA,” said a person in charge.

In order to improve the business environment and provide stronger support and better services for the innovation, entrepreneurship, work and life of foreigners in the BDA, Beijing Municipal Talent Work Bureau and Beijing Public Security Bureau proposed to launch the first pilot program in the city to handle both work permits and resident permits for high-caliber foreign professionals through one single window, shortening the time needed to seven work days. This means not only reducing the time by one third but also halving the number of trips required. Foreigners who have made appointments can also handle matters related to their work, study, family reunion and other personal affairs at the service center.

The BDA is an important exemplar of high-quality development of Beijing, a main platform of the “three science cities and one hi-tech area”, and a key community for foreigners with professional skills in Beijing. Currently, it has brought together more than 30,000 enterprises from over 40 countries and regions, including over 130 projects from more than 90 Fortune 500 companies. The total investments exceeded USD100 billion. 

In the future, other services for international professionals will be also available at the service center to provide one-stop, convenient services for foreigners who intend to live and work in the BDA and the new E-Town. This will also help the BDA create a world-class business environment.

(Reporters: Cao Zheng; He Guanxin)