Shanghai's Hongqiao International Talent Service Center reported that it had served nearly 14,000 foreign talent visits as of July, up 22 percent year-on-year.
The center has become a one-stop service hub for foreign professionals working and living in the Hongqiao International Central Business District. More than 8,500 visits were handled via the Shanghai Public Security Bureau's overseas talent service platform, and over 5,300 foreign work permits were processed.
The center provides 19 commonly needed services, including visas, residence permits, permanent residence, and foreign driver's license exchanges. Some services allow applicants to apply online, complete procedures on-site, and collect documents the same day.
It also offers nearly 90 services in nine areas, covering healthcare, Chinese language learning, taxation, social security, and other daily needs.
The center has introduced group appointments for international schools and companies to help process large volumes of applications smoothly. More than 100 teachers and students from Shanghai Korean School, foreign employees of China Eastern Airlines, and foreign teachers from Shanghai United International School have used the service.
Digital tools are also making services more accessible. Visitors can use the self-service terminal, which features an AI assistant, to access multilingual information on living and working in China.
