Foreign investors and foreign-invested enterprises that are establishing new projects or engaging in mergers and acquisitions in Shanghai, are required to comply with the legal procedures for project approval and filing.

Projects within the non-prohibited investment areas listed on the negative list for foreign investment access need approval. Foreign investment projects not listed on the negative list for market access are managed equally as domestic projects are treated.

Approval procedures: the project unit applies for approval through the online platform "Government Online-Offline Shanghai" (“一网通办”). After accepting the application, the approval authority will issue the approval document within the specified time limit or offer a written notice of rejection. The validity period of the approval document is two years. If any changes or extensions fall within the scope of approval, the project unit should apply for changes or extensions according to the regulations.

Filing procedures: the project unit informs the authorities of the project filing information through the online platform "Government Online-Offline Shanghai". The authorities will complete the filing once they receive all the required information. If there are any changes within the scope of the filing, the project unit should promptly inform the authority through the online platform. The project unit can print the Shanghai Foreign Investment Project Filing Certificate (《上海市外商投资项目备案证明》) or the Shanghai Foreign Investment Project Filing Change Certificate (《上海市外商投资项目备案变更证明》) through the online platform.

Source: fgw.sh.gov.cn