One stop shop for expats is working well

EXPATS in Hongqiao are now able to apply for work permits at Shanghai’s first community-level foreign talent service center.

The Hongqiao Foreigner Talent Service Center was opened on Saturday at the Gubei Civic Center, 99 Fugui Road E, Changning District.

The new service center can accept applications for temporary residence and work permits as well as offer consultations on entries and exits, residence, and work, said Hu Yu’ang, Party secretary of Hongqiao Subdistrict.

Previously, foreign residents in the Gubei international community had to go to the Hongqiao foreign talent service center near the Sky Soho about 10 kilometers away to apply for work permits.

A highlight of the new center is that foreign volunteers are among the service staff.

They work along with human resources, police and entry and exit officials.

“Visa extension, residence permits and work permits are among the questions of most concern,” said Michelle Teope-Shen, one of the foreign counsellors. “The center can solve these problems.”

He is a member of an international residents’ chamber in the Gubei Civic Center where community problems are discussed and solutions proposed.

Foreign residents can also get information about legal issues, children’s education, accommodation and medical service at the center.