City optimizes all-round services for foreigners

Shenzhen police handled over 20,000 port visa applications in the first half of this year, ranking first in Guangdong Province. The optimization of services and management for foreign nationals has further promoted Shenzhen’s high-level opening-up.  An officer assists foreign nationals with entry-exit policy information at a service center in Shenzhen. Photos courtesy of Public Security Bureau of Shenzhe Municipality unless otherwise stated

Starting Jan. 1, Shenzhen police further streamlined the port visa applications, enabling foreign visitors to complete procedures within 30 minutes upon arrival at Shenzhen checkpoints for swift entry.

On May 10, the Exit and Entry Division received a letter from a local university requesting assistance with a six-day academic visit by a foreign professor. Due to the last-minute arrangement, the professor could not apply for a visa abroad and needed to obtain one upon arrival at Huanggang Checkpoint.

The division activated a "green channel," reviewed the application materials, and issued instructions to the visa office at Huanggang. On May 16, the professor completed entry procedures within 30 minutes of arrival.

An officer processes a port visa for a foreign visitor arriving at the Shenzhen Airport Checkpoint.

According to regulations, foreigners holding ordinary passports who face urgent travel needs and cannot secure a visa in time from overseas Chinese missions may apply for a port visa at any of China’s 87 designated checkpoints. In Shenzhen, these are available at Luohu, Huanggang, Shekou, and Shenzhen Airport checkpoints.

Qin Kai, an officer with Exit-Entry Administration Division of the Public Security Bureau of Shenzhe Municipality, said the bureau provides on-the-spot visa services at the four sites year-round during business hours. Huanggang and Shenzhen Airport operate 24/7, while Luohu and Shekou checkpoints are open from 6 a.m. to midnight and 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., respectively. Processing times have been reduced by 40%.

One-stop service

Jordan Scott of BYD’s marketing department displays his work and residence permits at the Shenzhen Employment and Residence Service Center for Foreigners at the Civic Center in Futian in this file photo. Han Ximin

Before December 2020, foreigners working in Shenzhen needed to apply for work permits through the system of the Shenzhen Administration for Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA), and then apply for residence permits through the system of the Shenzhen Immigration Administration. It took about 15 days.

With the launch of the Shenzhen Employment and Residence Service Center for Foreigners at the Civic Center in Futian, applicants can now secure both permits in just seven days by submitting a single application.

Jordan Scott, an American working in BYD’s marketing department, was the first foreign national to benefit from the streamlined process. With BYD’s assistance, he obtained both permits within a week.

By June, more than 42,600 foreign applicants had used the service.

Multiligual services

In October 2023, the Public Security Bureau launched an English-language interface on its WeChat account “深圳公安” ("Shenzhen Police") and the iShenzhen app “政务服务” ("Government Services").

The service expanded in November 2024 to include Russian and Arabic. It now covers 13 administrative tasks, such as online appointments for permanent residency reviews and applications for stay or travel permits. In March 2025, it added traditional Chinese, Japanese, and French, increasing supported services to 27.

Immigration integration services  

Earlier this June, Amy, a visitor from New Zealand, entered Shenzhen under the visa-free policy. She praised the city’s safety and high-tech environment and was impressed by emergency devices installed in public areas. These one-button systems allow foreigners to contact police, who can respond in English, French, and other languages.

To support global talent, the International Talent Service Center of Shenzhen Immgration Affairs Service Hall opened in October 2022 at Shenzhen Exit-Entry Administration Service Hall in Luohu District.  

A police officer teaches a Chinese language class to foreign residents at a service station in Shekou, Nanshan District.

According to Xiao Tianshan, deputy chief with the Visa Division for Foreign Nationals of the Exit and Entry Administration Department of Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau, the center offers over 130 consulting services across 15 departments, addressing areas like business registration, work visas, and everyday needs such as renting housing or opening bank accounts.

In addition to the city-level service center, Shenzhen police have extended the integration service to subdistricts by establishing sub-centers in Qianhai, Longhua and Hetao, providing visa, green card and talent-related consultation services. Based on the international blocks, it set up service stations for expats in Shekou and Zhaoshang subdistricts, providing accommodation registration declaration, policy consultation, exit-entry business appointment and Chinese language training programs.

Permanent Residence Cards for Foreigners

The holders of Permanent Residence Card for Foreigners, also known as Five Star Cards in Shenzhen, enjoy services equal to those available to Chinese ID holders.

According to Xiao, Shenzhen’s immigration authorities, in collaboration with transportation, health, and other government service departments, have been promoting the convenience for green-card users across the city.  

"In healthcare, foreign nationals holding a permanent residence card can register at self-service kiosks or counters in hospitals citywide, enabling a seamless medical visit process with just one card," Xiao said. "Anything that requires a Chinese resident ID card can now be done in Shenzhen using a permanent residence card for foreigners."

Beyond offline ID applications, Shenzhen residents can complete administrative and public service procedures online with just a few clicks using their ID numbers. Now foreign permanent residents can do the same. According to Xiao, after optimization and upgrades to police service platform, foreigners holding permanent residence cards can log in via facial recognition, enjoying nearly the same convenience as local residents when handling police and civil affairs services.