With the implementation of China's reform and opening-up policy, the overall national strength has been strengthened, and our higher education has become more and more attractive in the world. It is reported that there are about 300,000 foreign students in our country. Shanghai, as a vibrant international metropolis and China's higher education, currently has nearly 50,000 foreign students, one-third of whom are studying for a degree education. It is understood that these international students are from 113 countries, with nearly 200 majors including wen, li, work, medicine and art in 24 universities in Shanghai. According to the plan, by the end of the 12th five-year plan, there will be 70,000 foreign students in Shanghai.
Foreign students, especially the number and composition of foreign students studying degree education, are an important yardstick for measuring the soft power of a university and a city, and an important symbol of internationalization. The choice of Shanghai for foreign students is not only a high recognition of the quality of education in Shanghai, but also the admiration and affection of the city. They will study abroad in Shanghai, which is of great significance to Shanghai's universities and the city of Shanghai. On the one hand, education can greatly promote the internationalization of universities and cities. On the other hand, the diverse cultures they bring can also help us to cultivate a tolerant and inclusive urban spirit. More importantly, foreign students as cultural exchange ambassadors also play an important role in international communication of national image.
However, foreign students in Shanghai are facing some difficulties, among which the illegal work is one of the outstanding ones. According to the statistics, 85 percent of the foreign students in Shanghai are self-inflicted. They not only have to pay their own tuition, but also have to deal with the high cost of living in Shanghai. Internationally, it is an international practice for foreign students to work in the country where they study. Although there are usually some restrictions, they can obtain a work permit if they meet the requirements.
By working, foreign students can not only earn the high tuition fees, but also participate in various social activities, understand local culture and better integrate into local life. In particular, for those studying engineering degrees, internships are an important part of their studies, and sometimes even necessary.
Currently, foreign students must have a work visa if they want to earn a wage income. According to the law, a foreign citizen is only eligible to apply for a work visa at the age of 25, with a bachelor's degree or at least two years of working experience. However, there are no clear rules on how to work for foreign students who hold a student visa.
随着我国改革开放政策的实施，综合国力不断增强，我国的高等教育在世界上也具有越来越大的吸引力。据报道，目前我国有外国留学生约30万人。上海作为充满活力的国际大都市和我国的高等教育重地，目前有外国留学生近五万人，其中三分之一攻读学位教育。据了解，这些留学生分别来自113个国家，分布在上海24所高校的文、理、工、医、艺术等近200个专业。根据规划，到十二五末，上海外国留学生将达到七万人。
外国留学生，特别是攻读学位教育的外国留学生的数量及构成，是衡量一所高校、一个城市软实力的重要标尺，也是国际化的重要标志。外国留学生选择上海，不仅是对上海高校教育质量的高度认可，也是出于对上海这座城市的景仰和喜爱。他们将留学地选在上海，对上海的高校以及上海这座城市来说都具有重要的意义。一方面，留学生教育可以极大促进高校和城市的国际化；另一方面，他们带来的多元文化也有利于我们培养宽容并包的城市精神。更重要的是，外国留学生作为文化交流使者对我国国家形象在国际上的传播也发挥着重要的作用。
但是，在沪的外国留学生却面临着一些困难，其中无法合法进行打工是比较突出的一个。据统计，在沪的外国留学生中85%为自费生，他们不仅要自己负担学费，而且还要应对上海居高不下的生活成本。从国际上看，外国留学生在留学所在国打工可谓国际惯例，虽然通常都有一定的打工限制，但是只要符合条件，就可获得打工许可。
通过打工，外国留学生不仅可以赚取收入补贴高额的留学费用，更可参与各类社会活动，了解当地文化，更好地融入当地的生活。特别是对于那些攻读工程类学位的留学生来说，去企业实习是学业的一个重要组成部分，有时甚至是必不可少的。
目前，外国留学生若想获得工资性收入，就必须得拥有工作签证。根据法律规定，外国公民只有年满25岁、具有大学本科以上学历、至少有两年工作经验才有资格申请工作签证。而对持有留学签证的外国留学生如何进行打工，并没有明确的规定。
鉴于这种情况，建议有关部门协同起来，根据外国的成熟经验，制定上海地方性法规，对持有留学签证的在沪外国留学生放宽打工许可，允许他们在满足一定的条件下，如学习成绩、打工的时间和长度等等，通过打工实习获得工资性收入，从而避免外国留学生无法打工的困难局面以及打黑工无法有效管理的混乱局面，进一步与国际接轨，为上海营造更好的留学环境，提升上海的软实力。
