In the context of the large number of German investors entering the Chinese market in recent decades, many German students and young professionals are also interested in China when considering their overseas experience.
The “China experience” is seen as an enhancement of employability and a highlight in personal profiles.
What has changed?
While it is not always easy for these German students to find a way in, many Chinese companies are reluctant to accept overseas interns because they do not have access to quality resources and are not well informed about visa regulations and other relevant compliance issues. Or worse, we have heard of cases where companies faced legal risks because they had overseas interns working for them on a tourist visa or other type of visa that was not intended for an internship.
With the signing of the Joint Intent Statement of Youth Interns Exchange Programme between China and Germany in July 2018, this situation has seen a chance to change. This programme is a joint initiative between China and Germany, which aims to encourage companies and institutions in China to offer internship opportunities to German students and graduates. The programme enables German candidates to apply for internship visas in full compliance with the Chinese regulations. The following year, an implementation plan was signed in Beijing by government representatives from both countries, marking the official launch of the China-Germany Youth Interns Exchange Programme.
What happened right after this first launch, is well known to all of us. Due to the almost complete interruption of the international connection during COVID-19, the programme was suspended and was not actually implemented until May 2023.
Now, after a recent exchange with AHK (German Chamber of Commerce Abroad), the only authorized organization in this exchange programme to check the qualifications and issue the confirmation letter for the qualified German interns, the programme is finally launched in May 2023. AHK recently has been in contact with the relevant Chinese authorities to coordinate the implementation details.
Summary
What are the eligibility requirements for the China-Germany Youth Interns Exchange Programme?
- Nationality: German citizenship.
- Age requirement of the applicant: 18-35 years’ old.
- Diploma or student status requirement: Graduates of German universities, technical schools or vocational schools who have received their degree within the last 12 months prior to the application date, students who have completed at least 4 semesters of a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in German universities, students at technical schools or vocational schools.
- Requirement on the correlation between the applicant’s major field of study and the internship position: The internship position shall be relevant to the major or qualification of the German intern.
How does the application process look like?
- Confirmation of eligibility for the exchange programme with AHK;
- Apply for a confirmation letter from AHK;
- Apply for a foreigner’s work permit notice with Shanghai Service Center for Foreigners’ Working in China;
- Apply for Z visa with Chinese visa application center in Germany;
- Arrival in China with Z visa;
- [For an internship of more than 90 days] Apply for a work permit with Shanghai Service Center for Foreigners’ Working in China;
- Apply for a residence permit with the Exit-entry Administration Bureau in Shanghai.
What are the main documents required for the application?
- An internship agreement in bilingual version which contains information about the validity, description of the internship position, working hours, amount and payment of subsidies, arrangement of international medical insurance, termination clauses, internal regulations and obligations that are relevant to interns etc.
- Certificate of studies or certificate of diploma;
- Certificate of international medical insurance during the internship;
- Certificate of no criminal record to be notarized and legalized by the Chinese consulate;
- Health check report arranged at the designated center in China.
With the background of intergovernmental cooperation, the Youth Interns Exchange Programme provides a good approach for German students and graduates to enrich their personal visions, Chinese language knowledge and Chinese culture through the internship experience.
It also benefits Chinese companies which look for international insights from the young generation and flexibility in personnel planning depending on the specifics of the projects.
How can we help you?
Lena Li
Corporate Services Manager
