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Visa & Immigration Update | Shanghai Begins Issuing R-Visa to High-Level International Professionals

Published: Thursday, March 22, 2018

Sophia Hu

China Immigration Service Manager

Effective Date: Immediate and Ongoing
Impacted Area: Shanghai

Policy Highlights

To attract top international talent, the Shanghai Expert Bureau has started to issue R-visa for qualifying high-level foreign professionals seeking to work in Shanghai.

About R-Visa Application

The R- visa allows multiple entries of up to 180 days per visit.
An R-visa holder who needs to work in China is required to convert this to a work-permit card and/or residence permit directly in Shanghai. The work-permit card is valid up to 5 years without any age limitation and it will take about 3 working days to process.
An approval letter from the Shanghai Expert Bureau is required prior to submitting the R-visa application to the overseas Chinese Embassy. It is expected to take 1-5 working days for the approval letter to be issued.

Impact of Above Changes

High-level foreign professionals that meet the A type qualification can apply for an R-visa.
The employer must be on Shanghai Expert Bureau’s approved list of companies.
The employer must process the employee’s on-line application through Shanghai Mei Yuan Expert Bureau Headquarter office

Our Recommendations

SIRVA can assist to verify if your company is on the Shanghai Expert Bureau’s approved list.