Shenzhen has released a comprehensive set of measures to attract and support young talent as part of its efforts to build a more youth-friendly city with an improved environment for career development. The policies were issued by the city's human resources and social security bureau on Dec. 5 and will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

The new framework provides eligible young talent with tiered transitional housing described as "a bed, a room, and an apartment," along with workspaces described as "a desk and an office." The goal is to ease common challenges faced by newcomers and recent graduates as they settle into the city.

Fresh graduates who visit Shenzhen for job interviews or internships may apply for up to 15 days of free accommodation through programs such as the Youth Station initiative.

Young professionals under 45 who begin working or start a business in Shenzhen for the first time on or after Jan. 1, 2026, and meet at least one requirement related to education or innovation capacity, can apply for transitional rental housing anywhere in the city. Rent will be set at about 60 percent of market rates, with benefits lasting up to 36 months.

The measures also include financial support for newly registered residents aged 35 or younger who hold doctoral, master's or bachelor's degrees from recognized institutions in China or overseas. The subsidies are set at 100,000 yuan for PhD holders, up to 50,000 yuan for master's graduates and up to 30,000 yuan for bachelor's graduates. The program is open to foreign nationals and residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.