Visa

If a foreign investor intends to come to China to discuss business, it may directly contact with its Chinese trading partner company to specify the objectives and time coming to China. Based on the company’s approval, the company may represent the foreign investor to apply for Visa Notification Letter to the local foreign affairs organ authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PRC. Upon receiving the Letter, the foreign investor may apply for the visa to the Chinese embassy located in that foreign country.

Application for Employment Permit, Expert Certificate, and Residence Permit

A foreign-funded enterprise may apply for the “Employment Permit of Foreigners in PRC” (hereinafter referred to as “Employment Permit”) to the Shanghai Municipal Labor Bureau by providing the Business License, Application Report, labor management registration, and the employment materals. After acquiring the Employment Permit, the foreign-funded enterprise may go to the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Economic and Trade Commission authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PRC to go through procedures for the Employment Visa Notification Letter. Upon receiving the Letter and the Employment Permit, the foreigner employed may apply for its employment visa and entry into China to the Chinese embassy located in that foreign country.

After entering into China, the foreigner employed shall handle procedures for its Employment Certificate to the Shanghai Municipal Labor Bureau within 15 days by providing the employment visa, Employment Permit, Labor Contract, Health Certificate, and its photo(s). After acquring the Employment Certificate, the foreigner employed should go to the Entry and Exit Management Office of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau to handle procedures for the Residence Permit. If a foreign-funded company intends to employ a staff from Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan, the company should file an application to the Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan Staff Employment Management Office of Shanghai Municipal Labor Bureau, and receive the “Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan Employment Certificate” issued by the Labor Bureau upon verification and approval. Upon receiving the Employment Certificate, the Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan staff should go through procedures for the Residence Permit to the Entry and Exit Management Office of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau.

If a foreign-funded company intends to employ a senior foreign managerial staff or senior technical staff who has made special contribution to the economic development and urban construction of this city, the company may receive the “Foreign Expert Certificate” from the Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal Government in accordance with relevant regulations, and then go to the Entry and Exit Office of Shanghai Municipal Bureau to handle procedures for the Residence Permit.

For the Chief Representative or Representative of a permanent representative office of a foreign company in China, the agent unit in Shanghai should handle procedures for the Employment Visa Notification Letter to the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Economic and Trade Commission authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PRC. Upon receiving the letter, the Chief Representative or Representative should apply for the employment visa and entry into China to the Chinese embassy located in that foreign country. After entering into China, the Chief Representative or Representative shall handle procedures for its Employment Certificate to the Shanghai Municipal Labor Bureau by providing the employment visa, Employment Permit, Health Certificate, and its photo(s). After acquring the Employment Certificate, the Chief Representative or Representative should go to the Entry and Exit Management Office of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau to handle procedures for the Residence Permit.