I. Who can apply:

Expats who meet any of the following conditions may apply for a residence permit for work (marked high qualified person):

1. Foreign high-level talents introduced by the Chinese government;

2. High-level talents recognized by the competent department of human resources in Shanghai;

3. Senior industry professionals employed by organizations included in the Shanghai sci-tech innovation occupation list.

II. Documents required:

1. The applicant's original, valid passport and visa;

2. A completed Visa and Residence Permit Application Form for Expats, and the applicant shall go to the local exit-entry administration of public security organs in person to take a free photograph, or the applicant who meets the relevant requirement of applying for visa without coming in person shall submit one color identification photo (taken within 6 months, white background, 2-inch, bareheaded, without modification, photographic paper printed, without smears);

3. A health certificate issued by a domestic entry-exit inspection and quarantine department within the past 6 months (applicants under 18 and over 70 are exempt from this requirement);

4. An application letter issued by the applicant's organization (indicating its unified social credit code);

5. An original and photocopy of the business license or registration certificate of the applicant's organization, and, if the business license does not contain the unified social credit code, its organizational code certificate (unless the organization has already been registered, or for repeated applicants with the same organization);

6. Any of the following work permits for expats:

(1) Foreigner's Work Permit holders shall submit the original and photocopy of the permit and a printed copy of the information obtained by scanning the QR code on it;

(2) Type L-B Shanghai Residence Permit holders shall submit an original and photocopy of the permit;

7. Any of the following supporting documents consistent with the applicant's identity and reason for application:

(1) High-level foreign talents introduced by the Chinese government shall submit the original and photocopy of the high-level foreign talents recognition certificate issued by relevant departments such as the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security or State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs;

(2) High-level talents recognized by the competent department of human resources in Shanghai shall submit the original Recommendation Letter for High-level Foreign Talents Applying for Residence Permits for Work (Talent) in Shanghai, or Recommendation Letter for Overseas High-level Talents provided by Shanghai Human Resources and Social Security Bureau;

(3) Senior industry professionals employed by an organization included in the Shanghai sci-tech innovation occupation list shall submit a senior industry professional recommendation letter issued by the organization.

Notes: 1. The Shanghai sci-tech innovation occupation list can be found on the websites of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology or Exit-Entry Administration of the Shanghai Municipal PSB.

2. In-person application is required for the first time. Subsequent applications may be made by the organization or relative by providing relevant documents. A medical examination certificate is not required for residence permit renewals within three months of expiration.

3. Exit-entry administrations of public security organs may, as they deem necessary, require applicants to attend an interview or submit additional supporting documents (such as proof of financial support, proof of change of information such as name, or business operation certificate, etc.). Applications which fail to provide the requisite information within the required time will be rejected, unless caused by a force majeure event.

4. Doctors practicing in medical institutions shall additionally submit a Temporary License for Foreign Physicians to Practice Medicine in the People's Republic of China, or a Medical Practice Certificate.

5. All decisions of exit-entry administrations of public security organs rejecting applications for extension, replacement or re-issuance of ordinary visas, or rejecting expats' applications for residence permits or permit extensions, shall be final.

III.Online service

Click here to apply for a Residence Permit for work (marked high qualified person) online.

Source: gaj.sh.gov.cn