Recently, guided and supported by the science and technology, education, public security, free trade, and other departments of Shaanxi Province and Xi'an City, the Xixian New Area formulated and issued the "Measures for the Management of Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Foreign Talent in the Xixian New Area." It is the first in the province to regularly carry out innovation and entrepreneurship work for foreign talent, creating a favorable entrepreneurial and living environment for foreign professionals through regulatory flexibility and service upgrades.

I. Q:I am a foreign talent interested in starting a business in the Xixian New Area. What conditions do I need to meet?

A:The Xixian New Area supports innovation and entrepreneurship by foreign talent, primarily targeting [two groups: foreign graduates from Chinese universities, and outstanding overseas foreign professionals in scientific and technological innovation.

Foreign talent engaging in innovation and entrepreneurship in the Xixian New Area should be aged between 18-50, in good health, have no criminal record, and be core members such as leaders or planners of the innovation/entrepreneurship project or team.

The innovation/entrepreneurship project should align with the industrial development direction of the Xixian New Area, possess a complete development plan, implementation path, management system, etc., have a business plan prepared, show significant market development potential, demonstrate notable expected economic and social benefits, sign an incubation agreement with a sci-tech innovation carrier, and voluntarily accept and comply with the relevant management systems of the sci-tech innovation carrier.

II. Q:I have my own ideas and plans. How should I apply?

A:Innovation and entrepreneurship by foreign talent must be conducted within a sci-tech innovation carrier. The foreign talent prepares the application materials as required and applies to the sci-tech innovation carrier for innovation/entrepreneurship. After approval is granted, the foreign talent signs an incubation agreement with the carrier. The sci-tech innovation carrier then applies for the entrepreneurship work permit and residence permit on behalf of the foreign talent.

Application materials include:

1. Original and copy of a valid passport, and currently held valid visa or residence permit;

2. Application Form for Foreigner's Visa and Residence Permit；

3. Recent 2-inch bareheaded, full-face color photo;

4. Highest degree (diploma) certificate;

5. For graduates from key domestic universities, provide a document issued by the school regarding academic performance;

6. Application report and review opinion letter for innovation and entrepreneurship by foreign talent;

7. "Notification Letter of Work Permit for Foreigners Working in China" or electronic social security card;

8. Certificate of No Criminal Record from within China and abroad.

III. Q:Can I start a business with friends or classmates?

A:Yes, you can. The entrepreneurial team generally should not exceed 5 people. You need to designate a team leader and define the division of labor or equity share among team members. All foreign members must prepare application materials according to the requirements.

IV. Q:If I start my own business, how long can I stay in China?

A:The entrepreneurship work permit and residence permit are valid for 6 months. Before expiry, the sci-tech innovation carrier assesses the entrepreneurial project. If the assessment result is qualified or above, an extension application can be processed according to procedures. Up to 3 extension applications can be submitted, each for a period not exceeding 6 months. The cumulative validity period shall not exceed 2 years. After 2 years, extensions for the work permit and residence permit will be processed according to standard procedures.

V. Q:What does the project assessment entail?

A:Innovation and entrepreneurship projects by foreign talent undergo a graded quantitative assessment every 6 months. The sci-tech innovation carrier conducts a comprehensive evaluation based on operational effectiveness, financial management, talent recruitment, output of results, and other dimensions. Assessment results are categorized as A (Excellent), B (Good), C (Qualified), or D (Unqualified). If the operational assessment result is D (Unqualified) twice cumulatively, the innovation/entrepreneurship project will be terminated.

VI. Q:What should I do if I need to withdraw from the venture for personal reasons?

A:If a foreign talent actively applies to withdraw from the venture during the innovation/entrepreneurship period, they should submit written materials to the sci-tech innovation carrier, complete procedures such as company deregistration and tax settlement, and complete the cancellation of the work permit and residence permit following the venture application procedures.

VII. Q:What kind of help can I get when I'm just starting my business?

A:Sci-tech innovation carriers provide comprehensive services for foreign talent and innovation/entrepreneurship projects, including business incubation, company registration, cultural integration, life services, and resource linking. They regularly conduct activities such as entrepreneurial training, financing matchmaking, and market expansion to accelerate the growth of foreign talent's innovation and entrepreneurship projects. The Xixian New Area Foreign Expert Service Station provides "seamless" life services, integrates social resources, and offers "one-stop" convenience services covering legal, financial, educational, medical, linguistic, training, and cultural integration aspects. It hosts various events like entrepreneurial salons, traditional festival cultural experiences, and international youth networking events, building a platform for interaction between foreign talent and between foreign entrepreneurs and local entrepreneurs, accelerating the integration of foreign talent into the local innovation ecosystem.

For other related questions, please contact the Xixian New Area Science Technology Innovation and New Economy Bureau, the Xixian New Area Foreign Expert Service Station, or the various Sci-tech Innovation Carriers.

1. Xixian New Area Science Technology Innovation and New Economy Bureau

Contact: Fu YangTel: 029-33261126Mobile: 18691064000

Address: Room 701, Xixian Building, No. 201 Energy Road, Energy Financial and Trade Zone, Xixian New Area

2. Xixian New Area Foreign Expert Service Station

QinChuangYuan Technology Market Foreign Expert Service Station

Contact: Shen QianqianMobile: 13759880068

Address: Building 5, Phase 1, Free Trade Industrial Park, Zhenghe Fourth Road, Fengdong New Town

3. Sci-tech Innovation Carriers in various New Cities (Energy Financial and Trade Zone)

Fengdong New City:

Mi-Zhi IOT Innovation Center

Contact: Yang LishaMobile: 15608883409

Address: Room 203, 2nd Floor, Building 4, Free Trade Industrial Park, No. 2168 Zhenghe Fourth Road, Fengdong New City

Fengxi New City:

Qin·Gang Incubator

Contact: Lu LuMobile: 18192656770

Address: Room 701, 7th Floor, Chuangke Building, Lizhi East Road, Fengxi New City

Qinhan New City:

Shenwei Space

Contact: Li YanmeiMobile: 13319232766

Address: 5th Floor, Block C, Lanchi Building, Intersection of Lanchi Second Road and Qinyuan Seventh Road, Qinhan New City

Airport New City:

Xi'an Zhengxin Enterprise Management Co., Ltd.

Contact: Wu YongMobile: 18092730864

Address: Unit 10301, 3rd Floor, Area F, Airport International Business Center, Airport New City

Jinghe New City:

Shaanxi Qingyun Technology Development Co., Ltd.

Contact: Shi RuyiMobile: 15592117721

Address: Room 131, Building 11, Fucha Town Commercial Street, Intersection of Gaojing Avenue and Chama Avenue, Jinghe New City

Energy Financial and Trade Zone:

Feimalv (Xixian)

Contact: Zhang BoMobile: 18089197834

Address: Building 2, Xixian Youth Entrepreneurship Park, Shanglin Road, Fengdong New City

*The mobile numbers above are also the WeChat IDs.