Who This Process Applies To

This process applies to foreign high-level talents (Category A foreign experts) who are invited to USTC for academic or professional exchange and visits, have an established long-term cooperation relationship with the university, need to travel to China multiple times for work-related purposes, and will stay in China for no more than 180 days per visit.

Part I. Applying for the Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents

1. Submit an Online Application

Online applications must be submitted with prior authorization from the Office of International Cooperation.

For an initial internal assessment, please send the following materials to fanliangchen@ustc.edu.cn:

• CV of the foreign expert
• Passport information page
• Background of existing cooperation
• Long-term cooperation plan (5–10 years)

After receiving authorization, submit the application through the Foreign Affairs Management Service System:

abroad.ustc.edu.cn → Foreign Expert Affairs (外专业务) → Application for Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-Level Talents (申请高端人才确认函)

The following supporting documents must be prepared:

(1) Invitation Letter

The Word document can be downloaded from the system, then be edited and uploaded to the system. The Office of International Cooperation will arrange for the invitation letter to be officially stamped with the university seal.

(2) Supporting Documents for Category A Recognition

Please provide documentation demonstrating that the applicant qualifies as a Category A foreign high-level talent.

If the supporting documents are in English, a Chinese translation must also be provided, and the Office of International Cooperation will affix its official departmental seal to the translated materials.

The applicant may qualify by meeting at least one of the following criteria, including but not limited to:

• Certificate of a prestigious international award, such as the Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, or Turing Award;
• Appointment certificate as a member of a national academy of sciences or national academy of engineering;
• Certificate of an award or appointment under a Chinese Academy of Sciences or foreign expert recruitment program;
• Proof of employment or a screenshot of the official university website showing an appointment at a university ranked among the top 500 universities worldwide. The screenshot should include the website URL.
• Proof of employment or a screenshot of the official website showing that the applicant is the director or senior researcher of a national research institute or national laboratory. The screenshot should include the website URL;
• Publication citation records demonstrating at least three papers published in high-level international scientific journals classified in JCR Q1 or Q2.

(3) Passport Information Page

A clear copy of the applicant’s passport information page.

2. Submit for University Review

After uploading all required supporting documents, submit the application to the Office of International Cooperation for review, signature, and official stamping.

3. Provincial Online Review

The application must undergo online review by the Department of Science and Technology of Anhui Province.

Once approved, the Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents can be downloaded through the university’s internal system.

The approval process generally takes approximately one week.

Part II. Applying for an “R” Visa at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate Abroad

1. Submit the Visa Application

The foreign expert should apply for an “R” visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad.

The following documents are generally required. Applicants should normally submit the application online first. Please refer to the specific embassy or consulate’s website for the latest document requirements and application procedures.

Required documents generally include:

1. Visa Application Form;
2. Valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, together with a photo taken within the past six months;
3. A printed copy of the Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents ;
4. Any other documents required by the relevant Chinese embassy, consulate, or other overseas institution authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Important Information

Expedited Visa Processing

Foreign experts may request expedited visa processing at the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate. Under expedited service, the visa may be issued within two working days.

Long-Term, Multiple-Entry Visa

Chinese embassies and consulates abroad will issue multiple-entry visas valid for 5–10 years to eligible foreign high-level talents.

The applicant’s spouse and minor children can apply corresponding multiple-entry visas, generally S2 visas, with the same validity period.

Visa Fee Exemption

The foreign expert, as well as their spouse and minor children, may apply for the relevant visas free of charge, with visa fees waived.

Note: Applicants should always follow the latest requirements published by the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate, as specific visa procedures and supporting-document requirements may vary by location.