The Shanghai Entry-Exit Administration provides visa services to foreign journalists. The following are the procedures:

A. Journalist’s application for residence permit

Qualifications：
Journalists with J-1 visa

Procedures：
1. Submit the passport and visa for examination;
2. Submit the original copy and a photocopy of the temporary stay proof provided by a hotel or a local police station;
3. Submit the filled visa application form and a recent two-inch passport photo;
4. Submit the health certificate issued by Chinese entry-exit authorities (people under 18 or over 70 exempted);
5. Submit the original copy and a photocopy of the Press Card issued by the local foreign affairs office;
6. Submit the original copy of a proof letter provided by a foreign news organization.
Note:1. First-time applicants aged 16-60 must submit required materials in person. Their colleagues or relatives can help them renew the residence permit afterwards. Health certificates is not required if the renewal is made within three months after the original residence permit expires;
2. The entry-exit administration may ask to interview the applicant when it thinks it necessary, or ask for additional materials, such as fingerprints or written statements. If a journalist fails to come for interview or provide required materials, except for force majeure, his application will be rejected;
3. The entry-exit administration’s decision to refuse extending, changing or reissuing a common visa and to refuse granting or renewing a foreign journalist’s residence permit is final.

B. Application for J-2 visa

I Qualifications：
Journalists with J-2 visa for short-term reporting in China.

Procedures：
1. Submit the passport and visa for examination;
2. Submit the original copy and a photocopy of the temporary stay proof provided by a hotel or a local police station;
3. Submit the filled visa application form and a recent two-inch passport photo;
4. Submit approval letters issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government
Note:1. The entry-exit administration may ask to interview the applicant when it thinks it necessary, or ask for additional materials, such as fingerprints or written statements. If a journalist fails to come for interview or provide required materials, except for force majeure, his application will be rejected;
2.The entry-exit administration’s decision to refuse extending, changing or reissuing a common visa and to refuse granting or renewing a foreign journalist’s residence permit is final.

Application Venue & Hours

9am-5pm, Monday-Saturday (no interview on Saturday)
1500 Minsheng Road, Pudong New Area
Seven working days required if all materials are received.
Shanghai Entry-Exit Administration hotline: 28951900
Web：http://english.shanghai.gov.cn/nw46669/index.html