Shanghai’s Xuhui District has simplified procedures in a bid to speed up the paperwork for overseas companies and professionals.

The district has opened an "integrated window" at its administrative service center for foreigners working for Xuhui-based companies to process their application for work and residence permits. The processing time for both has been sped up to within a week from previous two weeks, the district government said.

A German sales manager with Mayer & Cie. Circular Knitting Machines Shanghai received his work permit and visa extension after handing in the application in a week last month at the service center at 969 Nanning Road. Previously it would take at least two weeks for such paperwork.