免签入境≠合法工作！外籍人士上海转居留许可全攻略

Many foreign friends come to Shanghai under visa exemption policies (such as 144-hour visa exemption, 72-hour visa exemption) and mistakenly think they can work directly.

很多外籍朋友持免签政策（如144小时免签、72小时免签）来沪，却误以为可以直接开展工作。

This is a very dangerous misunderstanding! According to China’s entry-exit and foreign employment regulations, visa-free stay is only for short-term visits, not for employment.

这是非常危险的误区！根据中国出入境及外籍就业相关规定，免签停留仅用于短期探访，严禁用于就业活动。

Must remind you: visa-free stay ≠ legal employment. Illegal employment will face fines, detention and even entry restrictions.

必须郑重提醒：免签停留≠合法就业，非法就业将面临罚款、拘留，甚至限制入境的处罚。

If you want to work stably and legally in Shanghai for a long time, you must convert to a work-type residence permit within the visa-free period.

若想在上海长期、稳定、合法工作，务必在免签有效期内，完成工作类居留许可的转换。

This 2026 Shanghai simplified guide is fully based on the latest official policies of Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration and Foreign Talent Service Department, no exaggeration, no fabrication—just follow it step by step, and you can complete the conversion smoothly.

这篇2026上海最简攻略，全程依据上海市出入境管理局、外籍人才服务部门最新官方政策，无夸大、无杜撰，跟着步骤走，就能顺畅完成转换。

Part 1: 3 Prerequisites for Converting from Visa-Free Status to Residence Permit (Must Meet All)

第一部分：免签转居留许可，3个前提条件（需全部满足）

Prerequisites are the basis for smooth handling. If any one is not met, the application will be directly rejected.

前提条件是办理顺畅的基础，任意一条不满足，申请都会直接驳回。

1. Hold a valid foreign passport, and the visa-free entry stay period has not expired (it is recommended to start handling 7-15 days before expiration).

1. 持有有效外籍护照，免签入境停留期尚未逾期（建议在到期前7-15天启动办理）。

2. Have a legally registered and operating employer in Shanghai, and the employed position is in line with China’s industrial policies (not included in the restricted list).

2. 在上海有合法注册、正常经营的聘用企业，所聘岗位符合中国产业政策（未列入限制类清单）。

3. Meet the basic criteria for Category A or B foreign talents: generally, bachelor’s degree or above + more than 2 years of relevant work experience; high-end talents (Category A) can appropriately relax the requirements.

3. 满足外籍A类或B类人才基本标准：一般为本科及以上学历+2年以上相关工作经验；高端人才（A类）可适当放宽要求。

Part 2: Required Documents for Employer & Individual (Including Translation & Authentication Requirements)

第二部分：企业+个人必备材料清单（含翻译认证要求）

In 2026, the document requirements for conversion have been simplified, but the translation and authentication of foreign-related materials must comply with the regulations, otherwise the materials will be deemed invalid.

2026年，转签材料要求已有所简化，但涉外材料的翻译、认证必须符合规范，否则材料将被认定为无效。

Personal Documents (Foreign Individuals)

个人材料（外籍人士）

1. Original passport + copy of the information page and entry stamp page (clear and complete, no alteration).

1. 护照原件+信息页、入境章页复印件（清晰完整，无涂改）。

2. Overseas academic certificate: must be notarized and authenticated in the country of issue, and accompanied by a standard Chinese translation (signed and sealed by a qualified translation agency).

2. 境外学历证书：需在颁发国完成公证、认证，同时提供规范中文翻译件（由有资质的翻译机构签字盖章）。

3. Non-criminal record certificate: issued by the official institution of the country of residence, notarized and authenticated, and accompanied by a Chinese translation.

3. 无犯罪记录证明：由居留国官方机构出具，完成公证、认证后，附上中文翻译件。

4. Work experience certificate (signed and sealed by the former employer) + 2 recent white-background 2-inch ID photos (taken within 6 months).

4. 工作资历证明（前雇主签字盖章）+ 近期2寸白底证件照2张（6个月内拍摄）。

5. Valid health check certificate: issued by a medical institution designated by Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration.

5. 有效体检证明：由上海市出入境管理局指定医疗机构出具。

Employer Documents

企业材料

1. Original copy of business license (with annual inspection record) + official seal.

1. 营业执照原件（带年检记录）+ 公章。

2. Recent 3-month social security and tax payment records of the enterprise (proving normal operation).

2. 企业近期3个月社保、纳税缴费记录（证明正常经营）。

3. Formal labor contract, employment intention letter and detailed job description (consistent with the position applied for the work permit).

3. 正式劳动合同、聘用意向书及岗位详细说明（与申请工作许可的岗位一致）。

4. Foreigner Work Permit Application Form (filled in truthfully and stamped with the enterprise’s official seal).

4. 外国人工作许可申请表（如实填写，加盖企业公章）。

Part 3: 2026 Shanghai: 4-Step Simplified Handling Process (No Detours)

第三部分：2026上海：4步最简办理流程（不绕路）

The process has been optimized in 2026, realizing the joint handling of some links, which is 30% faster than before.

2026年流程已优化，实现部分环节并联办理，比以往提速30%。

Step 1: Apply for Work Permit Notice

第1步：申请工作许可通知

The employer logs on to the Shanghai Foreigner Work Service Management System to submit the online application, and obtains the electronic Work Permit Notice after pre-approval (1-2 working days).

由企业登录上海市外国人来华工作服务管理系统，线上提交申请，预审通过后获取电子《工作许可通知》（1-2个工作日）。

Step 2: Convert to Work-Type Visa Within China

第2步：境内办理工作类签证转换

The foreign individual carries the Work Permit Notice, passport and other materials to the designated exit-entry window to handle the visa conversion (1-3 working days).

外籍人士携带《工作许可通知》、护照等材料，到指定出入境窗口办理签证转换（1-3个工作日）。

Step 3: Complete Exit-Entry Medical Examination

第3步：完成出入境体检

Go to the medical institution designated by Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration to complete the physical examination, and obtain the valid health check certificate (1 working day).

到上海市出入境管理局指定医疗机构完成体检，获取有效健康证明（1个工作日）。

Step 4: Apply for Work Permit + Residence Permit

第4步：申领工作许可证+居留许可

The employer and the individual submit all materials together, and handle the two certificates in parallel. After approval, they can collect the certificates in one stop (3-4 working days).

企业与个人共同提交全部材料，并联办理两证，审批通过后一站式领取证件（3-4个工作日）。

Part 4: 3 Common Mistakes: 90% of People Will Step On Them

第四部分：3个高频坑：90%的人都会踩

Combined with the actual handling cases in 2026, we summarize the most common mistakes, which are the main reasons for application rejection.

结合2026年实际办理案例，总结出最常见的3个坑点，也是导致申请驳回的主要原因。

1. Overstay the visa-free period before application

1. 免签停留逾期再办理

Overstaying the visa-free period belongs to illegal residence. Once it happens, the application will be directly rejected, and it will affect future entry and visa applications.

免签停留逾期属于非法居留，一旦发生，申请直接驳回，还会影响后续入境及签证办理。

2. The position is inconsistent with the permit category

2. 岗位与许可类别不符

The actual position, salary and job responsibilities are inconsistent with the content declared in the work permit application, and the review will definitely be rejected.

实际岗位、薪资、工作职责，与工作许可申请时申报的内容不符，审核必拒。

3.Documents without notarization/authentication or non-standard translation

3. 材料未公证认证或翻译不规范

Overseas academic certificates and non-criminal record certificates that are not notarized and authenticated, or have non-standard translations, are deemed invalid materials.

境外学历、无犯罪记录证明未做公证认证，或翻译不规范，均被认定为无效材料。

Final Reminder

最后提醒

Visa-free entry is only a convenient measure for short-term visits, not a legal work certificate.

免签入境只是短期探访的便利举措，绝非合法工作的凭证。

For foreign friends who want to work in Shanghai for a long time, please remember to complete the conversion of the work-type residence permit within the visa-free period to avoid unnecessary legal risks.

想要在上海长期工作的外籍朋友，请务必在免签期内完成工作类居留许可转换，避免不必要的法律风险。

The process seems tedious, but it is very smooth as long as the materials are complete and the steps are followed in accordance with the policy.

流程看似繁琐，但只要材料齐全、按政策走步骤，办理起来非常顺畅。