China work permit and residence permit in Shanghai
If you've been hired by a Shanghai company, your legal status in China is built on two documents: the Foreigner's Work Permit (外国人工作许可证) and the Work Residence Permit (工作类居留许可). Here's how they fit together, what your employer does, and what you must do after landing.
The three documents, explained
| Document | Chinese name | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Z visa | Z字签证 | The entry visa in your passport, issued after your work permit is approved. Usually valid for one entry, 30 days. |
| Foreigner's Work Permit | 外国人工作许可证 | Your authorization to be employed in China. Issued by the HR/social-security administration (via 外国人来华工作管理服务系统). Often issued as a card or electronic record. |
| Work Residence Permit | 工作类居留许可 | Your long-term "visa" once you're working — typically issued for the length of your contract (1-5 years). Applied for at the exit-entry administration within 30 days of arriving. |
Think of it as a pipeline: work permit approved → Z visa issued → you fly in → medical check → residence permit applied → residence permit granted. From then on you live in China on the residence permit (which you renew every year or few years), and the work permit stays linked to your employer.
Before you arrive: what your employer prepares
You cannot apply for any of this yourself — your employer (through their HR or an agency) runs the process. What they need from you:
- Passport (valid long enough for the whole process — renew before you come if it expires soon)
- Photos (33×48mm, white background — see the photo guide)
- CV and, depending on the job category, proof of qualifications and work experience
- For top-tier categories: degree certificates, reference letters, sometimes notarized and translated documents
The application itself takes roughly 1-3 weeks once submitted (faster for higher-tier talent categories). When approved, your employer receives a notification, and you apply for the Z visa at the Chinese embassy/consulate in your home country — bring the notification letter.
After you arrive: the 30-day countdown
From the day you enter China on your Z visa, you have 30 days to get your residence permit. Missing this window creates real problems (you may have to leave and re-enter), so treat it as the first deadline of your new job. The sequence:
-
Register your accommodation (24 hours)
Hotel? They register you. Apartment? Go to the police station — see the police registration guide. You'll need the receipt for the residence permit application.
-
Medical check-up (1 day)
Designated hospitals do the "foreigner physical exam" (体检). Shanghai's main foreigner examination center is at the International Travel Healthcare Center; your employer's HR will tell you where. Bring passport + photos. Results take a few days.
-
Employer submits your work permit card process
Your HR completes the work permit issuance so you have the permit number/card. This is their job — chase them if it stalls, because everything else depends on it.
-
Apply for the residence permit at exit-entry
With passport, photos, work permit record, medical check report, police registration receipt, and employer documents, you (or your HR) go to the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration (出入境管理局, 1500 Minsheng Road, Pudong, or district branches). Approval typically takes about 7 working days; there's a faster track (≈5 working days) for an extra fee.
-
Pick up your passport with the residence permit sticker
The residence permit is a sticker in your passport with a validity (commonly 1-2 years, up to 5). Set a calendar reminder 60 days before it expires — renewal is much easier than redoing everything.
The medical check-up
The 体检 (tǐjiǎn) is a routine exam: chest X-ray, blood tests, basic physical. It's quick, costs a few hundred RMB, and the report is usually ready within a week. Bring your passport and two photos. Some companies reimburse the fee. Do it early in your 30-day window — the report is a required document for the residence permit.
Note: if you change jobs within China, you may need a fresh medical check depending on how long it's been since the last one.
Realistic timeline and costs
| Step | Duration | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit application (employer) | 1-3 weeks | Fees paid by employer (or shared, negotiable) |
| Z visa at embassy | 3-10 days | Varies by country (~¥700-1,400 equivalent) |
| Police registration | 20-40 minutes | Free |
| Medical check-up | Half a day + report wait | ~¥300-800 |
| Residence permit (exit-entry) | ≈7 working days (5 with fast track) | ¥400 (1 year) / ¥800 (2 years) / ¥1,600 (5 years) + photo |
Plan the whole landing-to-residence-permit process for about 2-3 weeks of calendar time, and assume at least one trip to a government office will take a morning.
Questions & answers
Can I work on a tourist visa?
No. Working on a tourist (L) visa is illegal and can lead to fines, detention, and a re-entry ban. Your employer must sponsor a work permit and Z visa before you start working.
How long does the work permit take?
The notification usually takes 1-2 weeks. After you arrive, the residence permit application typically takes about 7 working days (≈5 with the faster track).
Who pays for the work permit?
Your employer normally handles the application and pays the fees. You pay for your own medical check-up and photos.
My passport has a Z visa but no work permit card yet. Can I enter?
Yes. The Z visa itself is proof of approved work authorization. The physical work permit card and residence permit are applied for after you arrive. Keep your employer's notification letter with you.
Can I change employers in Shanghai?
Yes, but the new employer must transfer or re-issue your work permit and residence permit. You cannot simply keep working for a different company without updating the paperwork — working for an employer you're not registered with is a violation.
Related: Work permit explained · Residence permit explained · Visa extensions · Police registration