Notice of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government on Issuing the Administrative Procedures for Shanghai Residence Permits for Overseas Talent

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 (Purposes)

These Procedures are formulated to support Shanghai's efforts to build a high-level hub for global talent, to enhance the introduction and integration of overseas talent, continuously optimize the talent development environment, and attract more international professionals to work or start businesses in Shanghai, thereby providing strong talent support for the city's economic and social development.

Article 2 (Scope of Application)

These Procedures apply to individuals who hold a bachelor's degree or higher (academic or professional) or possess special talents, and who are lawfully employed or engaged in entrepreneurial activities in Shanghai. Eligible individuals include:

1. international students who have acquired foreign nationality;

2. foreign high-level talent and other foreign professionals;

3. Chinese passport holders who have obtained permanent (or long-term) residency abroad, are not registered with a household in China, and who are either returned students or other professionals;

4. professionals from the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions;

5. and professionals from the Taiwan region.

The specific scope, qualifications, and criteria for individuals deemed to possess "special talents" shall be determined by the Municipal Talent Work Bureau, in consultation with relevant departments, based on the actual needs of Shanghai's economic and social development.

Article 3 (Division of Responsibilities)

The Municipal Talent Work Bureau is responsible for the overall administration of the Shanghai Residence Permits for Overseas Talent (hereinafter referred to as the "Residence Permits"), including application acceptance and eligibility verification.

The Municipal Bureau of Public Security is responsible for the production, issuance, and related management of the Residence Permits.

Such departments and entities as the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, the Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, the Municipal Commission of Commerce, the Municipal Commission of Education, the Municipal Commission of Science and Technology, the Municipal Bureau of Finance, the Municipal  Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, the Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Municipal Commission of Transport, the Municipal Commission of Health, the Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, the Municipal Healthcare Security Administration, the Municipal Data Bureau, the Municipal Bureau of Housing Management, Financial Affairs Office of the Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Municipal Tax Service, Shanghai Head Office of the People's Bank of China, Shanghai Branch of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, Shanghai Financial Regulatory Bureau, and Shanghai Administration of Customs shall, in accordance with their respective responsibilities, carry out the relevant work.

Chapter II General Provisions on the Residence Permits

Article 4 (Function and Categories)

The Residence Permits serve as official documentation confirming that the holders are legally residing and working in Shanghai and are entitled to relevant benefits and services.

The Residence Permits are categorized into two types: Primary Permits and Dependent Permits. Eligible overseas talent may apply for Primary Permits. Their spouses, as well as their children under the age of eighteen (18) or currently enrolled in senior secondary education, may apply for Dependent Permits.

Article 5 (Basic Information)

The Residence Permits shall contain key personal information, including the holder's full name, gender, date of birth, nationality (or region), type and number of identification document, recent photograph, date of issuance, issuing authority, and validity period, among other necessary details.

Article 6 (Validity Period)

The Residence Permits may be issued with a validity period ranging from one (1) to five (5) years, or up to a maximum of ten (10) years.

The specific validity period shall be determined by the Municipal Talent Work Bureau based on a comprehensive review of the applicant's age, academic qualifications, professional specialization, work experience, valid identity documentation, work permit status in China, the duration of the employment or labor contract, and the nature of the intended position.

Returned overseas Chinese who have obtained foreign nationality and are employed in key strategic areas — such as the Lin-gang Special Area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Zhangjiang Science City, or the Hongqiao International Central Business District — may directly apply for long-term Residence Permits, with a validity period of up to ten (10) years.

Chapter III Application for the Residence Permits

Article 7 (Application)

Individuals requiring the Residence Permits shall have their employing organization submit an application through the Government Online-Offline Shanghai platform to the relevant talent management authority.

Foreign nationals who hold a Category A Work Permit for employment in China may, at their own discretion, apply directly for the Residence Permits. Eligible family members may simultaneously apply for the corresponding Dependent Permits.

Article 8 (Application Materials)

To apply for the Residence Permits, the applicant shall submit the following materials:

1. completed application form;

2. valid identification document(s);

3. academic degree certificates, professional qualification certificates, or other documents meeting the relevant talent evaluation standards;

4. proof of residence in Shanghai;

5. valid certificate of physical health;

6. employment (or labor) contract; 

7. and documentation of individual income tax payment for the period of employment in Shanghai.

Both the employer and the applicant shall be responsible for the authenticity and accuracy of the submitted materials.

Article 9 (Acceptance of Application)

Upon receipt of the application materials, the accepting authority shall proceed with acceptance if the submission is complete and valid. If any materials are missing or incomplete, applicants shall be notified in a single communication of all required supplemental materials.

Within two (2) working days from the date of acceptance, the service window shall transfer the complete application information and supporting documents to the Municipal Talent Work Bureau for further processing.

Article 10 (Verification)

The Municipal Talent Work Bureau shall complete the verification process within five (5) working days of receiving the application materials.

For applicants who meet the eligibility requirements, a written notification of approval shall be issued. For those who do not meet the requirements, a written notice of rejection shall be provided, stating the reason(s) for non-approval.

Article 11 (Permit Production and Issuance)

The Residence Permits shall be uniformly produced and issued by the Municipal Bureau of Public Security. For applicants who have been verified as eligible, the permit production unit of the Municipal Bureau of Public Security shall complete issuance within ten (10) working days.

The Residence Permits shall be issued in both physical and electronic formats, in accordance with the Municipality's unified standards and specifications. The electronic version shall be stored in the Shanghai Municipal Electronic Certificate Repository and shall carry the same legal validity as the physical version.

Article 12 (Information Changes)

If a Residence Permit holder resigns from his/her position during the validity period of the permit, the former employer shall complete cancellation procedures through the Government Online-Offline Shanghai platform within thirty (30) days.

If there are changes to the permit holder's employer, identification document number, or other relevant information during the permit's validity period, the current employer shall complete the information update procedures through the same platform within thirty (30) days of the change.

Article 13 (Permit Renewal)

If a permit holder intends to renew the permit upon its expiration, the employer shall initiate renewal procedures through the Government Online-Offline Shanghai platform no later than thirty (30) days before the expiration date.

Article 14 (Loss Reporting and Reissuance)

If the physical permit is lost, the employer shall promptly report the loss and apply for reissuance through the Government Online-Offline Shanghai platform.

Article 15 (Cancellation)

If a permit holder's circumstances change such that he/she no longer meets the eligibility criteria for the Residence Permit, or if the holder voluntarily requests cancellation, the Municipal Talent Work Bureau shall revoke the permit.

If the employer or applicant is found to have falsified, forged, or used forged or altered materials during the application process, the Municipal Talent Work Bureau shall, depending on the severity of the violation, suspend or revoke the employer's eligibility to submit future applications and cancel the permit issued to the applicant.

Article 16 (Legal Liability)

Employers and applicants shall comply with all relevant laws, rules and regulations. Any violation shall result in legal liability for both the employer and the applicant in accordance with law. Information concerning the violating employer shall be incorporated into the Shanghai Public Credit Information Service Platform in accordance with the relevant provisions.

Chapter IV Rights and Benefits of Permit Holders

Article 17 (Residence Permit)

Permit holders may apply for a residence permit valid for up to five (5) years in accordance with relevant provisions. Upon expiration, they may apply for renewal under applicable provisions.

Article 18 (Work Permit)

Permit holders who are returned overseas Chinese students and have acquired foreign nationality may apply for a work permit in accordance with the current policies implemented in the Lin-gang Special Area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

Article 19 (Entrepreneurship)

Permit holders are eligible to establish businesses in Shanghai. Those who meet the relevant conditions may, in accordance with law, benefit from entrepreneurship support measures, including but not limited to guaranteed start-up loans, social insurance subsidies for start-ups during the early stage of operation, subsidies for business incubation venue costs, and incentives for outstanding entrepreneurial projects.

Article 20 (Employment by Administrative Agencies)

With approval from this Municipality's relevant departments with administrative authority, permit holders may be employed by administrative agencies through short-term contracts, project-based appointments, or other flexible arrangements.

Article 21 (Social Insurance)

Permit holders employed in Shanghai shall participate in the Municipality's employee social insurance system in accordance with relevant national and municipal provisions, and shall be entitled to the corresponding benefits prescribed by law. Those who meet the relevant conditions may opt for flexible retirement or deferment in claiming pension benefits.

The non-employed spouses of permit holders, as well as their children under the age of eighteen (18) or currently enrolled in senior secondary education, may participate in the basic medical insurance program for rural and non-working urban residents of Shanghai and shall be entitled to the corresponding benefits.

Support shall be provided for members of the family mutual aid network to utilize mutual support funds, subject to compliance with the applicable provisions.

Article 22 (Housing Provident Fund)

Permit holders employed in Shanghai may, upon mutual agreement with their employers, contribute to the housing provident fund in accordance with the Municipality's applicable provisions. They may also withdraw funds or apply for housing provident fund loans in line with the Municipality's relevant provisions. Upon termination or dissolution of the employment (or appointment) relationship with a Shanghai-based employer, the permit holder may handle related procedures such as account suspension or fund transfer in accordance with the applicable provisions.

Article 23 (Children's Education)

Children of permit holders at the preschool or compulsory education stages may be enrolled in nearby schools based on the principle of proximity, as arranged by the education authority of their place of residence, in accordance with the Municipality's relevant provisions.

Children who meet the eligibility requirements for international schools for foreign nationals in Shanghai may independently apply for admission to such schools.

If the permit holder is a returned overseas student, their children who complete senior secondary education in Shanghai and obtain a senior secondary school diploma may, in accordance with relevant provisions, take part in the National College Entrance Examination and apply to any higher education institution in China with enrollment plans in Shanghai.

Article 24 (Housing Support)

Eligible permit holders may, in accordance with the relevant provisions, be included in talent housing support programs at both the municipal and district levels. Permit holders and their families are encouraged to meet self-occupancy housing needs by purchasing residential property in accordance with the applicable provisions.

Article 25 (Talent Development Programs)

Permit holders may apply for municipal-level talent development initiatives and scientific research support programs in accordance with the relevant eligibility criteria and application procedures.

Article 26 (Qualification Evaluation, Examinations, and Registration)

Permit holders may, in accordance with national and municipal provisions, participate in professional title evaluations, vocational qualification examinations, and registration of professional or practicing qualifications within Shanghai.

Article 27 (Customs Clearance Facilitation)

Permit holders recognized as high-level overseas talent may benefit from simplified customs clearance procedures. Upon issuance of a Certificate of High-Level Talent by the Municipal Talent Work Bureau, such individuals may bring into or send out of China items for scientific research, teaching, or personal use via hand-carry, separate shipment, postal mail, or express delivery. Customs authorities shall provide facilitated processing for such items.

Article 28 (Settlement in Shanghai)

Permit holders from Hong Kong or Macao who enter the mainland using a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents with a validity period of three (3) years or more, and who are recognized as special talent, may apply for permanent settlement in Shanghai through the Exit-Entry Administration Corps of the Municipal Bureau of Public Security, provided they voluntarily relinquish their Hong Kong or Macao resident status and meet this Municipality's household registration requirements.

Article 29 (Permanent Residency)

Permit holders whose Residence Permits are valid for three (3) years or more may apply for a work-type residence permit (endorsed with the designation "Talent") by presenting a Certificate of High-Level Overseas Talent issued by the Municipal Talent Work Bureau. After three (3) years of continuous employment in China, and upon recommendation by their employer, such individuals may apply for permanent residency.

Foreign nationals who already hold a Foreigner's Permanent Residence Identity Card may directly apply for a Residence Permit with a validity period matching that of their permanent residence identity card.

Foreign talents who are employed or engaged in entrepreneurial activities in the Yangtze River Delta Integrated Ecological and Green Development Demonstration Zone, and who hold a Foreigner's Permanent Residence Identity Card, as well as returned overseas students who have acquired foreign nationality, may apply for a Residence Permit in accordance with the applicable provisions.

Article 30 (Financial Services)

Eligible permit holders may apply for RMB credit cards at authorized banks. Permit holders who have paid taxes in accordance with law and obtained official tax receipts and supporting documentation from tax authorities may, pursuant to foreign exchange control provisions, convert their lawfully earned income in Shanghai into foreign currency and remit it abroad.

Support shall be provided for eligible permit holders to apply for the FASTPASS service, which facilitates online foreign exchange purchases and cross-border salary payments.

Article 31 (Driver's License and Vehicle Registration)

Permit holders may, in accordance with relevant national and municipal provisions, apply for a motor vehicle driver's license, register motor vehicles, and complete other related procedures within Shanghai.

Article 32 (Vehicle License Quotas)

Permit holders may, in accordance with the relevant municipal provisions, apply to participate in the public auction for non-commercial passenger vehicle license quotas or apply for dedicated license quotas for new energy vehicles.

Article 33 (Recognition and Awards)

Permit holders may participate in relevant municipal-level recognition and commendation programs in accordance with the applicable provisions and shall enjoy the corresponding benefits.

Article 34 (Access to Government Services)

Permit holders may complete real-name authentication and register on the "Suishenban" mobile application, through which they may access a wide range of government services and administrative functions.

Chapter V Supplementary Provisions

Article 35 (Transitional Provisions)

Following the implementation of these Procedures, existing Type B Shanghai Residence Permits shall remain valid until their respective expiration dates. Upon expiration, the issuance and management of residence permits shall be governed by the provisions set forth in these Procedures.

Article 36 (Detailed Implementing Rules)

The Municipal Talent Work Bureau shall develop detailed rules for implementing these Procedures.

Article 37 (Effective Date)

These Procedures shall be effective as of July 1, 2025, and shall remain valid until June 30, 2030.