After entering China, foreigners who need to reside in China for non-diplomatic or official purposes can apply for the issuance, extension, replacement, or reissuance of residence permits through the exit-entry administration authorities.

Typically, the applicant must handle the application personally.

However, under the following circumstances, it may be processed by the inviting company or individual, the applicant's relatives, or relevant specialized service agencies:

• Individuals classified as high-level talent or urgently-needed talent required by the country.
• Individuals under the age of 16 or over the age of 60, or those with mobility limitations due to illness or other reasons.

To apply for a residence permit, the following documents are required:

• Valid passport or other international travel documents.
• Completed application form for foreigner's visa, along with one recent 2-inch color photo with a white background.
• Supporting documentation relevant to the purpose of the application.
• Any other procedures to be fulfilled and documentation to be submitted.

When preparing application documents, it's crucial to pay attention to certain details that might be easily overlooked, potentially leading to unsuccessful outcomes.

Therefore, it's important to take note of the following:

1. Please ensure you have a valid passport with available blank visa pages.

• Verify that both your passport and visa are within their validity period.
• Typically, visa pages in passports are labeled with "visa," while other pages may contain annotations and should not be used for visa stamps.
• If your passport lacks blank visa pages, it's necessary to promptly apply for a new passport at the embassy or consulate. As processing times for new passports may vary among different embassies, it's advisable to inquire with the relevant embassy in advance and handle it promptly to prevent visa expiry due to lengthy passport renewal procedures.

2. The "visa application form for foreigners" can be printed at various exit-entry acceptance halls in Shanghai. After taking a photo at the free photo booth inside the hall, you can print it on-site with the photo receipt and your passport.

3. Health certificates must be issued by the domestic exit-entry inspection and quarantine department, which differs from hospital medical examination reports.

• Foreign friends in Shanghai can visit the Shanghai International Travel Health Care Center.
• Appointments are required for health checks, so it's essential to reserve time in advance.
• For relevant information and appointment methods, please refer to the official website of the Shanghai International Travel Health Care Center.

To access information about the required application materials, criteria, procedures, processing time, and other specific details for obtaining a residence permit, you can visit the "service guide for issuance, extension, replacement, and reissuance of residence permits for foreigners" section on the official website of the National Immigration Administration.

You can also find information on the office addresses and contact details of the exit-entry administration authorities of public security organs in various regions under the "Service Institutions" section.

Additionally, you may inquire through the 12367 service platform for further assistance.