Streamlined permit application benefits expats in Zhoushan

The exit and entry administration counter of the Public Security Bureau of Zhoushan [Photo/wifizs.cn] 

Expats in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, have been enjoying greater convenience and a more favorable business climate since March, thanks to the city's pioneering efforts in the province to allow expats to fulfill work permit or work-type residence permit applications with only one visit to the service window. 

Employers just have to file an application online for obtaining a work permit for their foreign workers and will get an answer within two days. Upon approval, they may apply to the city's public security bureau for a residence permit, which will be issued within five days. 

With the permit issuing time cut from 25 days previously to seven days currently, the city has issued 800 work permits for expats since March. 

Streamlined visa processing has also been implemented for the smooth running of major projects at the city's China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, such as the Boeing 737 Completion and Delivery Center project. 

An American pilot from Boeing fulfilled his Visa C (a visa for air crew members and seamen) extension within 10 minutes at the exit and entry administration window of city's public security bureau on Nov 14. 

The city has issued two Visa Rs (a visa for high-caliber foreign talents and urgently-needed professionals) and seven residence permits for American workers in Zhoushan who are involved in the Boeing project this year. 

In addition, the city has released special measures for foreign sailors to get a transit visa quickly and allowed them to fulfill the procedures even on non-working days. 

From January to October, the city issued 4,912 transit visas for foreign sailors, over 4,400 of which were issued within 24 hours.