Shenzhen: Foreign Work & Residence Permit Extension Guide

Preface

Foreign nationals working in China must hold both a Work Permit and a Residence Permit.

This guide outlines the specific process for applying to extend both permits when they are about to expire.

※ The information below is current as of January 9, 2025.

Step 1: Submit Extension Application Online

First, log in to the Foreign Talent Service Platform as the “company handler.”

To ensure a smooth process, it is recommended that the handler be a Chinese national.(If the company has no Chinese national employees, foreign nationals may visit the service window at the Civic Center to apply for a whitelist. Once approved, they can log in to the platform.)

After logging in, click「工作许可」in the left-side menu bar, then select「工作许可延期」to enter the application process.

Click「跳过指引，直接办理」。

Check both「来华工作许可延期」and「居留许可（延期）」, then click「立即办理业务」.

This action lets you apply for the extension of both the「工作许可证」and「居留许可证」at the same time. Note, however, that this service cannot be used if the「工作许可证」still has more than 90 days of validity left.

※ As shown on the interface, the「来华工作许可延期」option will appear automatically once you check the「居留许可（延期）」.

Once the form is generated, navigate sequentially through the sections: 「个人信息」>「业务信息」>「居留许可申请信息」>「教育经历」>「工作经历」>「家属信息」>「附件信息」. Complete all required fields as prompted on each page and submit.

Regarding the extension duration: typically, the maximum period for each extension application is 1 year. However, according to government authorities, if the applicant has worked in China for at least 3 years, subsequent extensions can be applied for up to 2 years.

※ Relevant inquiry hotlines, along with the list of required submission documents, will be provided at the end of this guide.

Step 2: Booking an Appointment

Within 5 working days of submission, the relevant government authority will conduct a preliminary review of your application. The result will be sent to the handler’s mobile phone via SMS. Once approved, you’ll need to book an appointment through the「外国人服务平台」for on-site follow-up at the Civic Center.

To book: On the platform, click「查询」, select「申请业务查询」to view your application records. Locate the relevant applicant’s record and click「预约」to finalize the reservation.

Follow the on-screen prompts to select and book a time slot for your on-site appointment.

After submitting the appointment, return to the homepage and click「预约查询/取消预约」.

On the next page, first select「在深外籍人员预约」as the appointment type. Then, under「查询方式二」, enter the applicant’s full name and passport number, and click「查询」to verify the appointment status.

Once the appointment status shows 「预约成功」, click「打印申请表」to download the latest version of the「外国人签证证件申请表」 with the appointment number.

On the「外国人签证证件申请表」 Form, affix one 2-inch passport photo of the applicant (standard size: 35mm×48mm) with a blue background in the designated photo section. Please prepare the photo in advance.

Additionally, the applicant must sign, fill in their contact number, and the company must affix its official seal on the last page of the form.

Step 3: Visit the 市民中心 for On-Site Processing

The applicant and the company handler must visit the service window at the Civic Center (East Hall of Shenzhen Administrative Service Hall) together to complete the process.

Required materials include: all documents uploaded to the「外国人服务平台」, supporting documents, and the latest「外国人签证证件申请表」downloaded during the appointment.

Upon arriving at the 「深圳市行政服务大厅东厅」, first submit all prepared application materials, along with the original passport and Work Permit, to the service window (usually Windows 51-53). After the materials pass the preliminary verification, staff will stamp the application form and return some materials on the spot.

Next, enter the applicant’s passport number and mobile phone number at the self-service kiosk to get a queue number. When your number appears on the display screen, go to the corresponding window (usually Windows 55-56) to proceed with the remaining formalities.

Important Note: Before the new Residence Permit is issued, you must temporarily submit your original passport to the window for safekeeping. The applicant will not have access to the original passport during this period, so please make advance arrangements.

During the process, the window staff may request additional supporting materials. A list of such materials will be provided at the end of this guide.

Typically, it takes approximately 2 weeks to issue the new Residence Permit from the date of application. After completing all formalities, you will receive a “notification slip” indicating the collection date for the new permit. This slip is required to collect the new permit, so please keep it in a safe place.

Step 4: Collect the New Residence Permit at the Civic Center

Note that even on the scheduled collection date, you will most likely not be able to collect the new Residence Permit if you arrive at the Civic Center early in the morning.

According to government authorities, the collection time is after 16:00 (Beijing Time) on the scheduled collection date, or between 9:00-17:30 (Beijing Time) on the day after the scheduled collection date or later.

Upon arriving at the Civic Center, first get a queue number from the self-service kiosk, then proceed to the corresponding window. As of January 2025, the windows for collecting new Residence Permits are usually Windows 52-53.

To collect the permit, submit the notification slip received earlier and pay the required fee at the window. You will then receive the new Residence Permit, which will be affixed inside the passport.

Based on the applied validity period (i.e., the term of the Residence Permit), the applicable fees are as follows (information current as of January 2025).

※  Only personal invoices can be issued for the fee; corporate invoices are not available.

Once you confirm that the new Residence Permit page has been affixed inside the passport and that the validity period is correct, the formalities related to the Residence Permit are completed.

Additionally, scan the QR code on your Work Permit using WeChat. If the page shows that the validity period has been updated, the entire process for extending both permits is fully completed.

Supplementary Notes

※ Required application materials can be found via two channels: the document upload page on the「外国人服务平台」, or the「深圳公安」WeChat official account.

Materials vary by the applicant’s talent category. Below are reference materials for two common categories only：「（六）计点积分在60分以上的专业人才」and「（一）具有学士及以上学位和2年以上相关工作经历的专业人才」.

※ For exact materials, follow the latest government requirements. Confirm with professional government institutions in advance.

If unsure of the applicant’s talent category, call the inquiry hotlines of the「深圳市外国专家局」and「国家移民管理局」for clarification.

Inquiry Hotlines

「（六）计点积分在60分以上的专业人才」

「（一）具有学士及以上学位和2年以上相关工作经历的专业人才」

Materials That May Be Required Additionally

Summary

The above is an overview of the combined renewal process for Foreigner’s Work Permit and Residence Permit in Shenzhen.

We hope this guide is helpful to foreign professionals working in Shenzhen.

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