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A new green channel now streamlines health checks for expats applying for work and residence permits in Shanghai's Changning district, marking the city's first interdepartmental collaboration of its kind.
On June 11, in conjunction with Changning district's 2025 global talent campaign, the Shanghai Hongqiao One-stop Service Center for Overseas Talents launched a collaborative initiative with Shanghai Customs.
Previously, expats had to complete designated entry health checks, wait for the report to be issued, return to collect it in person, and present it along with other materials to apply for work and residence permits.
Under the new system, expats can book appointments directly through the Hongqiao center. After completing the required health check, the report is collected by center staff and submitted as part of the permit application process. This eliminates the need for multiple visits and significantly reduces processing time.
Since the upgrade on April 15, 2024, the Hongqiao center has served more than 110,000 individuals, including over 11,000 expats. Its official website, which was launched on January 1, 2024, has facilitated nearly 2,000 applications for student housing, with over 1,200 applicants having already secured their accommodations.
Source: Shanghai Observer
