Hongkou issues first foreigner's work permit of 2019

A Spanish specialist working for a local costume company received a foreigner’s work permit in Hongkou District on Wednesday, which is among the first work permits for overseas talent issued in the city in 2019.

The man, named Alexis, said he feels at ease now in developing his career with the Shanghai Silk Group Trading Development Co.

He has benefited from the district’s streamlined processes for skilled foreigners applying for work permits — the process has been shortened to a minimum of four days from the previous 20 working days.

The district has launched a “one-stop” service center at the Dabaishu area, offering comprehensive services such as social security, taxation advice, as well as entry and exit services for foreign professionals.

It issued a total of 4,677 work permits for foreigners in 2018 and released nearly 280 million yuan (US$40.9 million) of awards for professionals in key industries, according to the district government.

The efforts are part of a citywide trend to attract key foreign professionals.

The downtown Xuhui and Changning districts have opened one-stop service centers for key foreign workers on 969 Nanning Road and 999 Jinzhong Road.

Overseas professionals can also apply for both work and residence permits via the Xuhui government’s comprehensive online service platform.

Expats in Hongqiao are now also able to apply for work permits at Shanghai’s first community-level foreign talent service center, located at the Gubei Civic Center at 99 Fugui Road E.