The inauguration ceremony of Shenzhen’s Employment and Residence Service Center for Foreigners (hereinafter referred to as Service Center) was held on Dec. 11, 2021 jointly by the Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality (Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs) and the Public Security Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality in the Administrative Service Hall of the Civic Center. At the same time, the Shenzhen Foreigner Integrated Service Management Platform (hereinafter referred to as Integrated Platform) was put into service.
Previously, foreigners working in Shenzhen had to first apply for work permits through the Service System for Foreigners Working in China, and then apply for work type residence permits through the Public Security Entry and Exit Administration Information System. The whole procedure involved two departments and it took 15 workdays to process.
To meet the urgent needs of foreigners working in Shenzhen, the Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality (Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs) and the Public Security Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality (Entry and Exit Administration Bureau) jointly built the Integrated Platform and Service Center by integrating businesses, rebuilding processes, and sharing data. The “Physical space integration” of the two functional departments has been upgraded to “comprehensive integration.”
By providing “one-stop” comprehensive services for foreigners, the approval time is shortened to seven workdays, and they can apply for and receive work permits and work type residence permits at the same time, which greatly improves the efficiency of the approval process.
In recent years, the city has continuously attracted first-class international talents worldwide, thus strengthening the intellectual support for the development of high-tech enterprises and strategic emerging industries. The reform and innovation of foreign talents management and service system is also continuously improving.
The next phase for the Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality (Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs) and the Public Security Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality (Entry and Exit Administration Bureau) is to further explore the implementation of a more open and convenient foreign talent introduction and entry and exit management system at a higher level, strengthening the cooperation among the departments, and further improving the quality and level of management and services for foreigners. An Employment and Residence Service Center for Foreigners in all districts is planned for the near future.