Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area has rolled out a comprehensive new policy package to attract and support young talent, offering generous subsidies, free housing, and fast-track residency services to those looking to work or start businesses in the area.

Released at the Lin-gang Sci-tech Innovation Conference 2025 on May 16, the policy is designed to support young professionals and entrepreneurs through three stages: getting started, developing projects, and settling down.

[Photo/Shanghai Observer]

Free support for early-stage talent

The new policy offers three free services to help young talent take their first steps in Lin-gang.

1. Free accommodation for newcomers: Lin-gang will offer 1,000 accommodation units, where innovation and startup talent can stay for up to 15 days free of charge, along with tailored services including job recommendations, interview coaching, and startup consulting.

2. Free welcome package: Young professionals arriving in Lin-gang for the first time will receive a welcome package worth 500 yuan ($69), covering transport, culture and tourism, fitness, and dining.

3. Free space for startups: Lin-gang will develop 50 startup spaces, covering a total area of 100,000 square meters. Selected projects can use these spaces rent-free for up to three years. In addition, 3,000 talent apartments will be provided at no more than 70 percent of market rent for up to six years, with startup founders eligible for up to six months of rent-free housing.

Six subsidies for sustained development

The new measures offer six types of financial support that accompany young talent throughout their professional journey in Lin-gang.

1. University students interning in Lin-gang can receive internship subsidies of up to 5,000 yuan per month. Innovation and startup talent renting youth apartments may be eligible for monthly rental subsidies of up to 5,000 yuan, bringing their housing costs to below 1,000 yuan per month. Those who obtain new vocational skill certifications can receive skill improvement grants of up to 5,000 yuan.

2. Newly recruited talent may apply for a one-time resettlement subsidy — 10,000 yuan for those with a bachelor's degree, 20,000 yuan for master's degree holders, and 80,000 yuan for PhDs. Graduates within two years of completing their studies are eligible for a 30 percent bonus on these amounts.

3. Lin-gang will continue hosting events like the X·TIME International Entrepreneurship Competition. Outstanding projects landing in the area may receive up to 300,000 yuan in financial support.

4. PhDs from top overseas universities in critical shortage fields may apply for up to 500,000 yuan in support. Full-time PhDs joining local postdoctoral programs may receive up to 500,000 yuan in project and living expenses. Those staying in Lin-gang to work or start businesses after completing their postdoctoral programs can apply for additional funding of up to 500,000 yuan.

5. Lin-gang will also launch a new program for high-level talent, aiming to recruit leading, innovative, and entrepreneurial young professionals. Selected candidates may receive up to 1 million yuan in personal funding.

6. Innovation and startup talent will have priority access to new housing resources and may apply for home purchase subsidies of up to 5 million yuan.

"Zero wait" for services

To help young talent work, start businesses, and settle down without delay, the policy features three "zero wait" service guarantees.

1. Lin-gang will host at least 100 job fairs annually, offering no fewer than 30,000 job openings. A dedicated "job finder" device will provide one-click job searching. The area will also assign 100 dedicated service staff to create a "15-minute service circle" for employment and entrepreneurship support.

2. Lin-gang will offer uninterrupted policy services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A smart talent service system will enable instant policy applications and approvals. The area will also implement a new scheme to provide targeted, streamlined services for key organizations and high-priority talent.

3. Lin-gang will maintain its special residency policies for talent. Innovation and startup professionals can apply for direct household registration. There will also be an expanded green channel and point-based system for recent university graduates and broader eligibility for fast-track residency.

Source: Shanghai Observer