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Quickest way of arranging Shanghai work visa for expat overseas!

Since China reopen the border in January 2023, the communication between China and overseas has gradually returned to normal. Currently, VisaInChina got a lot of enquiries of the same topic:

"Our company would like to hire a foreign employee from overseas, on board ASAP. How should we do it?"

Ok, VisaInChina will summarize it and give you the answer and suggestions below. (The policies mentioned in this article apply only to Shanghai, for audience in other cities, please check with your local Foreign Expert Bureau)

2 Ways:

1. Normal way: Apply Z visa and enter China, change it to foreign work permit and residence permit.
2. Quick way: Apply M visa and enter China, change it to foreign work permit and residence permit.

Policy Basis:

Q: I know the rule of applying working Z visa, but are you sure that if expat come into China with business M visa, he/she can change it directly to work visa in shanghai? could you please show me the rule in written?
A: Yes, based on the policy <Notice on Implementing Simplified Procedures for Foreign Work Permit in China> published by shanghai local foreign expert bureau at August 2017, it clearly mentioned below:

But it's still has some special situation which is not apply to this rule, so please double confirm with VisaInChina team before you choose this way.

Procedures and Timing of each way:

Apply the Z visa way	Timing
Prepare the Z visa documents	20 working days
Shanghai company apply the NFWP (notification of foreign work permit)	10-15 working days
Apply the Z visa through the China visa center in your country	Around 15 working days
After you enter China with Z visa, you need to do a health check	5 working days
Apply the FWP (foreign work permit)	10-15 working days
Apply the RP (residence permit)	7 working days
Total: 45-50 working days before entry and 22-27 working days after entry

Apply the M visa way	Timing
Shanghai company write the business visa invitation letter	1 working day
Apply the M visa through the China visa center in your country	Around 15 working days
Prepare the Z visa documents	5 working days (because you can start at same time)
After you enter China with M visa, you need to do a health check	5 working days
Apply the FWP (foreign work permit)	10-15 working days
Apply the RP (residence permit)	7 working days
Total: 21 working days before entry and 22-27 working days after entry

Original documents you need to carry to China:

Take class B1 work permit and high earner class A work permit as example (which are 2 popular classes in shanghai). Checklist below (also those documents are most time consuming)

1. Previous working reference letters
2. Degree certificate
3. Degree certificate copy with Chinese Consulate legalization
4. Non-criminal record with Chinese Consulate legalization

If your taxable annual salary is over 400,000RMB (about 33,400RMB/month), then above 2+3 can be avoided.
If your taxable annual salary is over 600,000RMB (about 50,000RMB/month), then above 2+3+4 can be avoided.

Risks you should avoid:

• If you apply the M business visa in the China visa center, your purpose to China should be business. And later after entry, you can sign the employment contract and change it to work visa.
• Regardless of whether you enter China on a Z visa or M visa, you are NOT allowed to work (Your company can NOT pay/declare your salary) until you have finally obtained both FWP and RP. Otherwise, you may be judged to be working illegally and the visa will be refused.

Because of the new policy was just implemented, inquiries increase a lot. Please communicate with us by email. we will reply you in detail and in time.

First time consulting: Please email or call us, walk-in directly is not recommend.
In the process of document submission: Better use SF express to deliver it to us instead of come in person, we need more time to check your case to make sure it will go smoothly.
Any unavoidable visit: Please make an appointment with us in advance.

Meshing Consultancy Services Co., Ltd.
Address: Room 410, KYMS building C2, No.101 E Shan road, Pudong, Shanghai China. [ -MAP- ]
Operation Time: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm (12:30am-1:30pm lunch) Public Holidy Check here
Tel1: 021-51699039 (You can inquire in English, Japanese or Chinese)
Tel2: 021-63075776
Emergency: 13501828752
E-mail: info@visainchina.com
Website: http://www.visainchina.com