Shanghai-ed -Investor's Guide- Permits The ultimate web site for the city of Shanghai, China's largest city, with tips and information for businessmen, visitors and residents.

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Investor's Guide - Permits To work and live in China the expatriate worker must obtain a health permit, work permit, a residence permit and visa. Each family member planning to live in China must also obtain a residence permit and visa. This process usually takes from two to four weeks.

Health Cerificates
Work Permits
Resident Permit and Visa

Health certificates are required for foreign residents in China. To obtain one, you need to have a complete physical examination which shows you are in good health and free of any communicable diseases (including an HIV test). In Shanghai, the exam can be performed at the Shanghai Health & Quarantine Verification Office. You need to take 2 passport photos, company business license, and 500RMB. For physicals performed abroad, you must go to Shanghai Health & Quarantine Verification Office with the following:

Doctor's letter stating you are healthy.
Original copies of chest x-ray, HIV test, and STD tests.
Health Certificate application (Available at Health & Quarantine Verification Office when you get there).
Company business license
Passport and 2 photos

Work permits are required for all foreign staff working in joint ventures, WOFE, and State run enterprises registered in China. To begin the process of obtaining a permit, apply at the Labor Bureau of Shanghai

Residence Permit & Visa: After receiving your health certificate and work permit, you can apply for a Residence Permit and Visa. The visa for representative office foreign staff is valid for six months. The visas for JVs and WOFEs are valid for one year. To obtain the permit and visa you will need to go to the Shanghai Public Security Bureau with the following documentation for each foreign employee:

Copy of approval certificate
Original and one copy of business registration license
Representative permit(s)
Passport(s)
Visa application(s)
Resident permit application(s)
Health certificate(s)
2-4 photos of each foreign staff

Each applicant must go in person to be interviewed by the officer receiving the application. Pick up the documents and pay the fee about 3-4 days later. Fees are approximately RMB 300-400 which is paid on pick-up.
When you complete the residence permit and visa applications you will receive a receipt with a date to pick up your residence card and your passport with a visa stamp. The permit will be valid for 1 year after which you will need to apply for a 1-year extension which is almost automatically approved prior to the expiration of the permit. For rep office staff, the visa is renewed upon application at the end of six months and a new visa is applied for at the end of the year at the same time as renewing the residence