Terms for Application

Foreign people who meet one of the following conditions and who also abide by Chinese laws, have good health, and have no criminal records, can apply for permanent residence in China:

1. World-class talents, special skilled professionals or celebrities who have made significant and outstanding contributions to national economic development and social progress or who have great value to the country and recommended by Ministry, Commission or Administration of the State Council, or Shanghai Municipal People's Government.;

2. Foreigners who meet the criteria of high-level talent as set by the national key development zones, such as Shanghai Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone or China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Lin-gang Special Area, and are recommended by the administration committee of the said zones;

3. Foreign financial talents recommended by Shanghai financial administration authorities.

The foreign spouse and unmarried children under 18 years old of the above foreign applicants who abide by Chinese laws, have good health, and have no criminal records, can apply for permanent residence together.

Documents Required

1. Documents Required for Foreign Talents (principal applicant):

(1) Complete Application Form for Permanent Residence in China, and provide 2 copies of two-inch recent photos (Read the Notice for more details).

(2) Valid passport and valid visa (or residence permit), and provide 2 copies of each.

(3) Those who conform to the terms for application No.1 should submit an original and photocopy of the recommendation letter issued by Ministry, Commission, Administration of the State Council, or Shanghai Municipal People’s Government.

Those who conform to the terms for application No.2 should submit an original and photocopy of the recommendation letter issued by the administration committee of the national key development zones.

Those who conform to the terms for application No.3 should submit an original and photocopy of the recommendation letter issued by Shanghai Financial Department.

(4) Letter of application issued by the employer, and provide 1 copy.

(5) Non-criminal record abroad of the applicant.

2. Documents Required for Spouse:

(1) Complete Application Form for Permanent Residence in China, and provide 2 copies of two-inch recent photos (Read the Notice for more details).

(2) Valid passport and valid visa (or residence permit), and provide 2 copies of each.

(3) Marriage Certificate, and provide 2 copies of this.

(4) A Health certificate which was issued by a domestic entry-exit inspection and quarantine agency (or by foreign medical institutions verified by Embassy /Consulate General of China), and provide 1 copy of this. The health certificate should be issued within the validity of the last 6 months.

(5) Non-criminal record abroad of the applicant.

3. Documents Required for Children:

(1) Complete Application Form for Permanent Residence in China, and provide 2 copies of two-inch recent photos (Read the Notice for more details).

(2) Valid passport and visa (or residence permit), and provide 2 copies of each.

(3) Birth Certificate (or parent-children relationship certificate, or adoption proof), and provide 2 copies of this.

(4) ID certificates of both parents, and provide 2 copies of each.

(5) Marriage certificate of parents and 2 copies of this (in case the parents have divorced, the principal applicant should provide valid sole-guardianship proof, such as a court verdict, etc.).

(6) Nationality identification should be processed in the first place if one/both of the parents was/were of Chinese nationality when the child was born.

★Notice

(1) Applicant above 18 years old should come to process the application in person. For those under 18 years old both parents should come to process the application (in case the parents are divorced, the sole guardian parent shall process the application).

(2) The applicant should have their electronic ID photo taken at the social service photo station at the Immigration Service Center of Exit-Entry Administration department. In addition, they need to provide two ID photos taken recently. The photo should be taken in color with a white background. No hats or other obscuring items are permitted, and the full face must be visible. The photo size must be 48mm*33mm, with a facial width of 18mm±1mm, and head height (top of head to top of photo) between 1.5mm-2.5mm. The shirt collar or collarbone should be visible.

(3) In case the applicant has changed nationality, certificate of naturalization is required. In case the applicant was once of Chinese nationality, the former Chinese mainland citizen shall also provide their previous private passport and overseas permanent resident certificate. If necessary, Certificates issued abroad must be verified by the Embassy/Consulate General of China.

(4) In case the applicant has changed their name, relevant certificates and 2 copies of these are required.

(5) Certificates in foreign languages should be translated into Chinese and stamped by an eligible domestic translation agency, and a copy of the business license of this translation agency is required.

(6) The applicant can mark down "Need to print Chinese name" in "Others" column of the application form, if he/she hopes to have a Chinese name printed on Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card.

(7) Exit-entry administration of public security organs may, as they deem necessary, require applicants to attend an interview or submit additional supporting documents. Applications which fail to provide the requisite information within the required time will be rejected, unless caused by a force majeure event.

Time and Place to Apply:

Immigration Service Center of Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai Public Security Bureau (No 8-9, Lane 36, Xuelin Road, Pudong New District):

Monday - Friday, 9 am to 11:30 am, 1:30 pm to 5 pm（except holidays and festivals）

Time for Processing:

For those who conform to the terms for application No.1, the application shall be handled and reported to the Ministry of Public Security in 90working days after all required documents are submitted. For those who conform to the terms for application No 2, the application shall be handled and reported to the Ministry of Public Security in 30 working days. For those who conform to the terms for application No 3, the application shall be handled and reported to the Ministry of Public Security in 45 working days (Time for investigation is excluded if some items need to be investigated by the Public Security Bureau).

Payment:

1. Processing fee RMB 1,500

2. Card fee: RMB 300

Service Tel: 021-12367

Supervision Tel: 021-68547109

E-government Platform: https://gaj.sh.gov.cn/crj/enhomeE

Public WeChat: Shanghai Public Security Exit-Entry Administration

(All contents of the guideline are authentic in Chinese, English is for reference only.)

Source: gaj.sh.gov.cn