Great news for foreign talents planning to work in Shanghai and handle residence permits!
计划来沪工作、办理居留许可的外籍人才注意啦！重大利好来袭！
In January 2026, the National Immigration Administration officially issued a document, announcing that the fingerprint collection exemption policy for short-term visa applicants will be extended to December 31, 2026.
2026年1月，国家移民管理局正式发文，官宣短期签证申请人免采指纹政策，延期至2026年12月31日。
This convenient policy directly simplifies the procedures for foreigners to apply for work permits and residence permits in Shanghai, saving time and reducing the trouble of running back and forth.
这项便民新政，直接简化了外籍人士在沪办理工作许可、居留许可的流程，省时又省力，少跑冤枉路！
Today, we will interpret this policy in detail, focusing on which visas are exempt from fingerprint collection, which are not, and the simplified handling process and online channels, all strictly based on official regulations, no exaggeration or fabrication.
今天就为大家详细解读这项新政，重点说清哪些签证免采、哪些不免，以及简化后的办理流程和线上通道，全程严格依据官方规定，无夸大无杜撰。
📢 Policy Background: Official Document Issued to Facilitate Talent Entry
📢 政策背景：官方发文，便利人才入境
To further optimize the business environment for foreign talents and facilitate foreigners to enter China for work and life, the National Immigration Administration has extended the fingerprint collection exemption policy.
为进一步优化外籍人才营商环境，便利外籍人士来华工作、生活，国家移民管理局特延长此项免采指纹政策。
Previously, the fingerprint collection exemption policy for short-term visas was about to expire. This extension covers the whole year of 2026, bringing long-term convenience to foreign talents handling work permits and residence permits in Shanghai.
此前短期签证免采指纹政策即将到期，此次延期覆盖2026全年，为来沪办理工签、居留许可的外籍人才，带来长期便利。
✅ Core Focus 1: Which Visas Are Exempt from Fingerprint Collection? (Key for Work Permit Handling)
✅ 核心聚焦1：哪些签证免采指纹？（办工签必看）
According to the official policy, from now until December 31, 2026, all applicants for short-term visas with a stay period of less than 180 days are exempt from fingerprint collection.
根据官方政策，自即日起至2026年12月31日，所有申请停留期180日以内的短期签证申请人，均免采指纹。
These short-term visas include tourist visas, medical visas, business visas, etc., which are commonly used by foreign talents before handling work permits.
这类短期签证包括旅游签、医疗签、商务签等，均是外籍人才办理工签前常用的入境签证类型。
Tips: Foreigners holding these short-term visas can directly apply for Shanghai work permits after entering China, without going through the fingerprint collection procedure separately.
提示：持此类短期签证入境后，可直接申请上海工作许可，无需单独办理指纹采集手续。
⚠️Core Focus 2: Which Visas Are NOT Exempt from Fingerprint Collection? (Avoid Pitfalls)
⚠️ 核心聚焦2：哪些签证不免采指纹？（避坑必看）
It should be noted that not all visas are exempt from fingerprint collection. For applicants of visas that require handling residence permits after entry, fingerprint collection is still required in accordance with regulations.
需重点注意：并非所有签证都免采指纹，入境后需办理居留证件的签证申请人，仍按规定采集指纹。
Specifically, they include D visa, J1 visa, Q1 visa, S1 visa, X1 visa, Z visa, etc.
具体包括D字、J1字、Q1字、S1字、X1字及Z字等签证。
Among them, the Z visa is a special work visa. Foreigners applying for Z visa need to collect fingerprints as required when applying for the visa.
其中，Z字签证为专门的工作签证，外籍人士申请Z字签证时，需按规定采集指纹。
📌 Core Optimization: Simplified Process for Work Permit & Residence Permit Handling
📌 核心优化：工签+居留许可办理流程简化
With the fingerprint collection exemption policy, the process of handling work permits and residence permits in Shanghai has been significantly simplified, mainly reflected in two aspects:
依托免采指纹新政，上海工签、居留许可办理流程大幅简化，主要体现在两个方面：
1. Save time: No need to make an appointment for fingerprint collection separately, reducing the handling link and saving 1-2 working days.
1. 省时：无需单独预约指纹采集，减少办理环节，节省1-2个工作日时间。
2. Less trouble: Foreigners can complete the work permit application procedure directly after entering China with a short-term visa, without running back and forth between the visa center and the work permit handling window.
2. 省力：外籍人士持短期签证入境后，可直接完成工签申请手续，无需在签证中心与工签办理窗口之间来回奔波。
In addition, the work permit application, extension and cancellation can all be handled online through the foreigner work management service system, without on-site handling.
此外，工作许可的申请、延期、注销均可通过外国人来华工作管理服务系统全程网上办理，无需线下跑窗。
💻 Online Handling Channel: One-Click Operation, No Need to Run Windows
💻 线上办理通道：一键操作，无需跑窗
In line with the fingerprint collection exemption policy, Shanghai has fully opened online channels for work permits and residence permits, realizing "online application, online review and online inquiry".
配合免采指纹新政，上海已全面开通工签、居留许可线上办理通道，实现“线上申请、线上审核、线上查询”。
Work Permit Online Channel: Log in to the "Foreigner Work Management Service System" to fill in information and submit materials online.
工签线上通道：登录“外国人来华工作管理服务系统”，在线填写信息、提交材料即可。
Residence Permit Online Channel: After the work permit is approved, apply online through the immigration service platform, and go to the window to collect the certificate only after passing the review.
居留许可线上通道：工签获批后，通过出入境服务平台线上申请，审核通过后仅需到窗口领取证件即可。
Tips: Supplementary materials can also be submitted online to avoid the trouble of on-site supplementary submission.
提示：补充材料也可线上提交，避免线下补件的麻烦。