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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 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.
Back to
Moving to Shanghai
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