Q: One employee of our company, who is a Japanese national, is scheduled to be assigned to work in Shanghai. We are planning to apply for a Work Permit for the employee.

If the employee enters China with a business (M) visa, is it possible to convert it to a work-type residence permit in Shanghai?

If the above is not possible, is it allowed to change from an M visa to a Z visa (work visa) within China?

In addition, can the employee enter China visa-free for business purposes?

A: Please find the following guide regarding your questions:

An employee who enters China on a business (M) visa may apply for a work permit after entry and then proceed to apply for a work-type residence permit in Shanghai.

The exit-entry administration authorities are not able to convert an M visa into a Z visa within China.

For the standard procedure to obtain a work-type residence permit in Shanghai, please refer to the guidelines at the official website of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Public Security.

Please see "(one-year) residence permits for work (A014)" for detailed instructions.

Visa-free entry policies apply to purposes such as business activities, tourism, family visits, and exchange visits. However, activities such as employment, study, or news reporting are not covered under visa-free entry.

Source: Exit-Entry Administration Corps of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Public Security