Five-year residence permit

Regarding the application process for Residence Permit (five-year period) for Employment, please note the following information. Thank you for your cooperation.

Criteria for application: 

Foreigners who meet one of the following criteria may apply for a five-year residence permit:

1.      Personnel who have  "Honorary Citizen" or "Magnolia Honorary Award" or "Magnolia Memorial Award" in Shanghai;

2.      Companies with new and advanced technologies,  foreign-funded companies in preferential industries,  foreign-funded companies with advanced technologies or the legal representative, general manager, deputy general manager and financial controller of  foreign-funded, export companies;

3.      Legal representative,  general manager, deputy general manager and financial controller of the headquarters (or headquarter-type entity)  of multi-national companies in Shanghai,  R&D centers and investment companies;

4.      High-level foreign technicians with a five-year tenure;

5.      The legal representative, general manager, deputy general manager and financial controller of a company with registered capital of more than US$3 million;

6.      Not having problem of violation of laws and regulations in two  consecutive applications for work-related residence permit in Shanghai;

7.      Foreign, ethnic Chinese working in Shanghai;

8.      Personnel with a 5-year validity in Category A (Work Permit for Foreigners);

9.      Personnel with more than 5 years (including 5^th year) of Class L (Shanghai Residence Permit) B card.

Personnel applying for permanent residence

Criteria for application: 

Foreigners who have served as chairman, vice-chairman, general manager, deputy general manager (or above),  associate professor, associate researcher  (or above senior position)  for four consecutive years and resided in China for not less than three years within four years, with good tax records, in the following  5 categories,  may apply for permanent residence:

1. Departments of the State Council or scientific research institutions affiliated to the Shanghai Municipal People's Government or position at an institution of administrative nature or function;

2. Key institutions of higher learning (211 Project School as well as the first batch of students enrolled in colleges and universities;

3. Implementing national key engineering projects or enterprises and institutions with major scientific and technological projects;

4. New and high-tech enterprises, preferred foreign-funded enterprises and foreign-funded advanced technology enterprises or foreign-funded export enterprises;

5. National Laboratory, National Key Laboratory, National Engineering Laboratory, National Engineering Research Center, National Certified Enterprise Technology Center and National Engineering Technology Research Center or enterprises and institutions of foreign-funded R&D center;

Foreign spouses and unmarried children under the age of 18 may apply for permanent residence of foreigners.

Application procedures for Residence Permit  for personal affairs (note "Home Service"). 

Please pay attention to the following information. Thank you for your cooperation.

A. Criteria for application: 

1.  Domestic helpers with Permanent Residence qualification in China or employed by foreigners with Work Permit ;

2. Domestic helpers employed by high-level personnel of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan;

B. Procedures:

1. Submit  valid passport and original visa for checking;

2. Submit original and photocopy of the Registration Form for Temporary Residence of personnel,  issued by the police station of the place of stay. (for example, a document issued by the hotel  for proof of stay for more than one month, or a long-term Rental Agreement of accommodation at the hotel  (must be registered with the current passport):

3. Submit the “Documents for Alien Visa Application Form” and a recent 2-inch, half-body,  head uncovered front view photo;

4. Submit the Health Certificate, issued within 6 months, by the Domestic Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Department (under 18 and over 70 are exempted) ;

5. Submit relevant certificates of employer identification;

(1) Foreigners holding permanent residence identity cards must submit original and photocopy of  valid passport, Permanent Residence Identity Card and Certificate of Foreign Talents Recognition (recommendation, investment, postings and employment are exempted);

(2) Foreign talents with Residence Permit for employment, etc., is required to submit original and photocopy of passport, valid Residence Permit  and relevant Certificate of recognition of foreign talents  (Residence Permit  with "talents" is exempted).

Renewal and reissue of Permanent Residence Permits for foreigners

A. Criteria for application: 

Holder of foreigner’s Permanent Residence Permit must apply for renewal, replacement or re-issue if the validity period expires, any change of information and damage or loss of the Permit.

B. Procedures:

1．Complete the "Application Form for Foreigners’ Replacement or Re-issuance of Permanent Residence Permits", 2 recent photos (2-inch) and submit electronic version by CD-ROM recording (see Notes for details).

2. Application for renewal due to expiration shall be processed within one month prior to the validity period of the Permit. Submit the original and 2 photocopies of the passport and Foreigner's Permanent Residence Permit for the application.

3．Where an application for renewal is made because of the change in the contents of the Permit, the application shall be processed within one month of the changes.  Submit the original and 2 photocopies of the valid passport and Foreigner's Permanent Residence Permit, including the evidence before and after the change of relevant information, for the application. Documents issued abroad must be certified by the Chinese embassies (consulates) there.

4．Where an application for replacement is made because of damaged certificate,

original and 2 photocopies of the valid passport and foreign Permanent Residence Permit is required.

5．Where an application for reissue is made due to loss of the certificate, the original and 2 photocopies of the valid passport and Foreigner's Permanent Residence Permit,  and the original and one copy of the Lost Report are required.

6. Where the original foreigners' Permanent Residence Permits are applied through the provincial and municipal public security organs, certificate of permanent residence in Shanghai is also required (including the Registration Form for Temporary Accommodation of Overseas Personnel) and personal (or spouse) property certificate, or proof of employment status (academic), etc.