Registration of foreign (regional) enterprises engaging in production and business activities in China

english.shanghai.gov.cn

This guide explains the registration and filing procedures for foreign (regional) enterprises engaging in production and business activities in China.

1. Required documents

A	• Application for Registration (Filing) of Foreign (Regional) Enterprise Engaging in Production and Business Activities in China
B	• Approval documents issued by the competent authority • A letter of introduction from the Chinese cooperating entity
C	For change of enterprise name: • A certificate of name change of the foreign (regional) enterprise
D	For change of address (business premises): • Documents proving lawful use of the new premises
E	For change of responsible person: • Appointment and dismissal documents for the responsible person • A copy of the new responsible person's ID
F	Change of business scope: • Contract for the newly added project
G	For change of business term: • For enterprises engaged in mineral resource exploration and production in China that have entered the production phase and are applying to change their business term: Confirmation letter of production and business activity expenses
H	For a change of registered capital: • For foreign (regional) financial or insurance enterprises: Capital verification report
I	Filing of an additional branch: • A copy of the branch's business license (Note: Certificates or materials issued by Shanghai Municipal People's Government may be exempted from submission)
J	For change registration: • Original and duplicate copies of the current business license For filing matters: • Photocopy of the business license
K	• A photocopy of the ID certificate of the person submitting the application materials (the handler/agent)

2. Application process

Step 1: Submission

Counter staff will receive the application and check whether the submitted materials are complete and meet the required formal requirements.

Step 2: Review and decision

Applications with complete submission materials that comply with the statutory requirements will be confirmed and registered on the spot.

When on-the-spot registration is not possible, registration must be completed within three working days.

Complex cases shall be extended by an additional three working days (with approval from the head of the registration authority).

If documents are incomplete or incorrect, the applicant will be informed about all necessary corrections.

If the application does not comply with laws or regulations, or may harm national security or the public interest, the authority will reject it with a clear explanation.

Step 3: Issuance & delivery

Once approved, the business license will be issued to the applicant.

3. Processing time

Situation	Timeframe
Complete and compliant documents	Same day (on-site)
Further check needed	Within 3 working days
Complex cases (with approval)	Up to 6 working days (3+3)
Incomplete documents	One-time notice

4. Application locations

Applications can be submitted at any of the following service centers:

District	Address	Window(s)
Xuhui	Government Service Hall, No 301 Zhaojiabang Road, Xietu Road subdistrict	Windows 4-10
Changning	Administrative Service Center, No 1436 Changning Road, Zhoujiaqiao subdistrict	Windows 308, 10, 16
Putuo	Administrative Service Center, No 602 Tongpu Road, Changfeng subdistrict	Windows A13-A23
Hongkou	Administrative Service Center, No 338 Sanhe Road, Jiaxing Road subdistrict	Windows 9-15
Qingpu	Administrative Service Center, 3F, No 6189 Waiqingsong Highway, Xiayang subdistrict	Windows 1-10

5. Service hours

Period	Days	Morning	Afternoon
June 15 – Sept 15	Monday – Friday	9 am – 11:30 am	2 pm – 4:30 pm
Sept 16 – June 14 (following year)	Monday – Friday	9 am – 11:30 am	1:30 pm – 4:30 pm