Overseas candidates with management experience at leading multinationals and top specialists in education and science are eligible to apply for a talent visa in China, according to draft legislation.

A draft soliciting the opinions of government insiders and experts suggests the country has outlined the key points in evaluating whether a foreign professional is "urgently needed", an issue widely discussed since the Exit-Entry Administration Law was passed in June last year.

"Urgently needed" professionals, as stated in the law, will be able to apply for the new talent visa, which grants residency for up to five years, or multiple entries for up to 180 days at a time.