Starting from January 1, Shanghai will not require hukou (permanent household registration) applicants to submit foreign language or computer certificates. Instead, employers can set their own criteria. It's part of a new municipal reform that the city hopes will attract more talent.
To receive permanent residence, one first must apply for the Shanghai residence permit and keep it for seven years or more, participate in the urban social insurance and pay income tax. He or she should not break law and they should have a job in intermediate or higher professional or technical posts.
There are also requirements for one's education background and professional skills. By the end of 2015 a total of 1.1 million outsiders applied for Shanghai residency, among whom 300,000 earned over 120 points, the minimum of the point-based system. Only 26,000 acquired Shanghai hukou.
