Good news for all those haunted by the task of re-applying for your residency every year: China is now offering two-year permits. The only downside is trying to figure out if it applies to you. The convoluted government website isn’t much help, but lucky for you, we’ve figured out how to do it.

Who is Eligible?

First up, almost anyone can apply if they’ve been working in Shanghai for a decent length of time. Anyone whose had a “Residence Card B” for two years (this covers all foreign nationals legally living here) is eligible, as are managers, legal representatives or high-tech workers with companies registered in Shanghai. If you’re just an “ordinary person” in a company worth over US$30 million, you’re up for it as well.

Teachers can also get in on the two year deal, but you’ll have to be the main administrator in a Chinese-foreign cooperative school. If you don’t fit into any of the previous categories but you’ve been in Shanghai continuously for five or more years, you can still apply. And don’t worry about exiling the kids–if you can apply, so can your dependants. Just submit their family relation certificate and passport.

How to Get It

Fit the criteria? Download the application form and submit it to the visa center at 1500 Minsheng Lu along with:

- Passport photos
- Your original police registration form
- Your medical certificate
- An official letter of application from your company
- Your passport
- Your original work visa
- Your original residency card
- A copy of your company’s business license
- A signed letter stating specifically that you’re applying for a two-year residency (something printed from your computer will do)

You’ll hear back within five business days.

Follow along and you should do alright, despite the fact that the Chinglish website isn’t very helpful or informative. After all, it continually refers to your company as your “unit,” and we’re pretty certain that was already inspected during the health check.