A single entry visa allows you to enter China only once.  Dual or multiple entry visas are available upon request.  People planning on living and working in China will need either a business visa, a work visa or a resident visa.

A tourist visa (L Visa) is valid for 30 days but can be extended for another 60 days.  For business visa extensions (F Visa), you will need to bring your passport and registration of temporary residency form (yellow color) from your hotel or local police station, and a invitation letter from a corporation.

• D Visa (Permanent Residency)

Issued to those who are to reside permanently in China.

• F Visa (Business)

Valid for single, dual or multiple entries within a 3 or 6 months period.  An invitation letter from a company in China is required for the application.

• G Visa (Transit)

Issued to individuals in transit to other counties with overnight stays in China.

• J-1 Visa (Authority Visa)

Issued to foreign resident correspondents in China.  The applicant has to provide a certificate issued by the relevant Chinese authorities.

• J-2 Visa (Authority Visa)

Issued to foreign correspondents who make short trip to China.  The applicant is required to provide a certificate issued by the relevant Chinese authorities.

• L Visa (Tourist)

A group visa can be obtained if more than 9 people come together for travel.

• X Visa (Student)

Issued only with invitation letters from an accredited Chinese institution.

• Z Visa (Work)

Issued to foreigners working for foreign owned corporations or joint ventures and their accompanying family members, multiple entries and renewed annually.

- Visas for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Residents

• Taiwanese Residents

Taiwanese people are required to obtain an Exit / Entry Permit called Tai Bao Zheng in order to enter into mainland China. The application for a Tai Bao Zheng is processed in Hong Kong but can also be processed through a travel agency in Taiwan. If applicants are initiating from overseas, they may apply for this permit at Chinese Consulates / Embassies or they may be required to apply for a Travel Certificate depending how long they have lived outside of Taiwan. The Tai Bao Zheng must be endorsed with a single entry visa for entering into mainland China. After entry and the processing of the work permit, Tai Bao Zheng is endorsed with a residence permit and multiple entry visa.

• Hong Kong and Macao Residents

Hong Kong and Macao residents are required to obtain a special Home Return Certificate which allows entry without a prior visa. Work and Resident Permits are required under certain circumstances and in certain locations in China.

- Visa Conversion

A L visa or a F  visa can be upgraded to a Z work visa under some circumstances, this mainly applies to those who come to Shanghai taking high-ranking job titles, e.g., chief representatives of Rep. Offices, professors in schools, or vice general managers with their name showing on the employer business license of foreign-invested companies.

◦ Visa Services Vendor

• Meshing Consultancy Services

▫ Shanghai Health examination Center

15 Jinbang Lu / 1701 Hami Lu, Tel: 6268-6171, 6268-8851 (appointment)
hours: 8:30--11:00 and 13:00--15:00, Monday--Friday.

The Chinese government may not accept your overseas examination. The local examination includes a blood test, but you can be assured that the needles are sterile and unused. You will need to bring the following items to the health center:

1. Copy of Business License

2. Passport

3. (2) passport photos (photos can be taken at the health center)

4. Original lab report, if physical was performed in your home country.

All persons working in Shanghai are required to obtain a Work Permit in foreign employment department of Shanghai Labor Bureau. All renewals must be done 30 days before the expiration of your contract. The following documentation will be required:

1. (2) Foreigner employment register form (filled in Chinese)

2. Copy of Business License, Organization License, Copy of Approval License

3. Resume (Chinese version required, chopped by employer)

4. Employment relevant certificate (Education/Skill certificate, Chinese version required, chopped by employer)

5. Labor Contract (Chinese version required, chopped by employer)

6. Health Certificate

7. Passport and photocopy of photo page

8. (3) Passport photos

▫ Shanghai Labor Bureau

865 Zhongshan Nan Lu, Tel: 6365-0095
hours: 9:15--11:15 and 13:30--16:30, Monday--Friday.

Each expatriate residing in Shanghai for more than 3 months is required to obtain a Residence Permit. This must be renewed annually. The following documentation is required:

1. Application form

2. Your Residence Registration paper

3. Your passport and (1) passport photo

4. Health certificate

5. Official Application Letter from your employer

6. Work Permit and original Foreigner Employment register form

7. Copy of Business License, Organization License, Copy of Approval License

You shall obtain it personally for first applying. You can obtain Visa Z and Resident Permit for your spouse and children together, their passport and Health certificate are required, including your relationship certification.

▫ Shanghai Public Security Bureau

1500 Minsheng Lu, Pudong, Tel: 2895-1900
hours: 9:00--17:00, Monday--Friday.

The validity of a residence permit issued in Shanghai is from one year to five year. Two year and above are granted to foreign investors, or high ranking positions. The majority of Z visa holders can only apply for a one-year Residence Permit.

- Temporary Residence Permit (Resident Registration)

All expatriates staying in Shanghai must register residence, it's a yellow receipt. You shall register with the Public Security Bureau (police station) closest to your home within 24 hours of moving to your new residence. Usually this is done by the hotels or service apartments when you take short stays but not notifying you - Most expats housing compounds also provide this service.

When you bring your own staffs / furniture, you need an import permit.

You are entitled to apply for one air shipment and one sea shipment. You must apply for a separate permit for each shipment. You must have your Work Permit, Residence permit and Health Certificate before your shipment will be released by the Shanghai Customs House.

The following items will be required:

1. Import Permit Application, with company chop

2. Passport and Resident Permit

3. Work Permit

4. Certified copy of Business License

5. Letter from your employer stating that the items will be for your personal use only, and that you will export everything when you leave China

6. Copy of packing list

7. Copy of Bill of Lading

8. Arrival notification for shipment

▫ Shanghai Customs House, Foreign Business Department:

28 Jinling Xi Lu. Tel: 6387-7422
hours: 8:45--11:30 and 13:15--16:30, Monday--Friday.

You shall pass Shanghai Traffic Code examination and health examination. If all no problem, you can get local license after a week. (A Chinese driver license is valid for six years without annual renewal)

▫ Driver's License Office

Zhongshan Bei Yi Lu, No. 1101. Building 4, Room 301.
Tel: 6516 8168, Ext 54787, Hours: Working hours, Monday - Thursday.

Necessary Document:

1. International Driver's License.

2. A translated copy of your license in Chinese.

3. One year Residential Permit.

4. Passport, Photos.

5. Contact information in your own country (phone numbers and address)