Expatriates who intend to reside in China for an extended period of time must apply for a residence permit. If you are an expatriate residing in Shanghai and need to obtain a residence permit, you can access the WeChat official account "Exit-Entry Administration of Shanghai Public Security Bureau” (上海公安出入境管理) and navigate to the "Government Services - Foreign Nationals - Foreigner Residence Permits" section for detailed policy information. However, it is common for many expatriates to overlook crucial details while preparing their application materials, leading to unsuccessful applications. In this discussion, we will highlight some important points that expatriates should take note of when applying for a residence permit.

1.Make Sure to Have a Valid Passport with Blank Visa Pages1.请确保携带有效护照且留有空白签证页

Please ensure that both your passport and visa are currently valid. It's important to check that your passport has available blank visa pages. These pages are typically labeled with the word "Visa". Be aware that there are endorsement pages in your passport where visas cannot be affixed, so please don't mistake them for visa pages.

请确认自己的护照和签证均在有效期限内，不要逾期哦!划重点--护照一定要留有空白签证页！一般来说，护照中的签证页上会标有“Visa”字样，但护照上还有一些备注页，原则上不能贴签证，大家不要混淆哦。

If you find that your passport lacks blank visa pages, it's crucial to apply for a new passport at your embassy or consulate without delay. Keep in mind that processing times for new passports can vary among different embassies and consulates. We recommend reaching out to the relevant embassy or consulate in advance and applying promptly to avoid visa expiration due to lengthy passport replacement procedures.

如果护照已经没有空白签证页，需要尽快去使馆或领馆申领新护照。由于各国领馆办理新护照所需的时间不同，建议提前咨询相关领馆并及时办理，以免因换发护照时间太长导致签证逾期。

2.Where Can You Obtain the Visa/Stay Permit/Residence Permit Application Form?

2.《外国人签证证件申请表》从哪里获取？

You can easily obtain the Visa/Stay Permit/Residence Permit Application Form by visiting any of the exit-entry acceptance halls in Shanghai. Once you're at the hall, follow these simple steps:Use the free photo booth available within the hall to take a photo. With the photo receipt and your passport, you can conveniently print the form on-site.

《外国人签证证件申请表》可在上海各出入境受理大厅直接打印，在大厅内的免费拍照点拍照后，凭照片回执和护照现场打印就可以啦。

3. What Is a Health Certificate? Can It Be Obtained from Any Hospital?

3.健康证明是什么？每家医院都能做吗？

The Health Certificate must be issued by the Chinese entry-exit inspection and quarantine department. It's distinct from a typical medical examination report from a hospital. If you're an expatriate residing in Shanghai and require a Health Certificate, you can obtain it at the Shanghai International Travel Healthcare Center.

健康证明必须由国内出入境检验检疫部门出具，和医院的体检报告不一样。在上海的外国朋友们可以去上海国际旅行卫生保健中心。

Please note that currently, appointments are mandatory for health checks, so it’s essential to schedule your appointment well in advance! For detailed information and instructions on booking appointments, you can visit the Shanghai International Travel Healthcare Center's website: https://online.shhg12360.cn/sithc/.

请注意：目前需要预约才能进行健康检查，一定要提前预留好时间！相关信息和预约方式请参考上海国际旅行卫生保健中心官网（https://online.shhg12360.cn/sithc/）。