In order to improve the service system for foreign experts and enable easier innovation and entrepreneurship for internationals in Zhejiang, the Jinhua Science and Technology Bureau and the Jinhua Public Security Bureau are actively exploring increased efficiency in work permits and residence management services for foreigners in China, and vigorously promoting the integrated reform of “only one permit, only one time of handling.”

“It only took a week to get two permits. This makes me more confident about choosing to work in Jinhua,” said Mark Kevin Lewis, an American English teacher at Aiqing Middle School in Jinhua. He received a foreigner’s work permit and residence permit at the same time at from the “Foreign Talents Integrated Service Window” in the Jinhua Administrative Service Center.

Since its implementation, the reform has benefited nearly 6,000 foreign experts working in Jinhua, accounting for more than a quarter of the internationals in the province. Jinhua has also become the first prefecture-level city in Zhejiang Province that is able to handle these two services at the same time.

Before the reform, a foreigner had to go to two different departments to submit the needed materials twice, and then had two rounds of face-to-face inquiries. The whole process would take at least 25 working days. After the reform, foreigners can apply online first, then go to the business window. There, they can do everything that is required in one visit. The two municipal bureaus will finish the checking process together before the foreigner gets his/her permits. The time limit for high-end talents has been shortened from 25 working days to 5 working days, and the efficiency has increased by 80%.

In addition, Jinhua also provides corresponding convenient services to the accompanying family members of foreign workers in Jinhua. Before entering the country, when applying for a work permit online, foreigners can note the information of accompanying family members to facilitate the application of an accompanying family member’s visa. After entry, the public security department will apply for residence permits for accompanying family members without having to repeatedly submit the materials already available at the window, and the family permits will be issued together with the foreigner’s work and residence permits. (Text by Xi Jinyan, photo by Wang Fei, translated by Jiang Yifan, edited by Kendra Fiddler)