Shanghai issues first 5-year work permit to foreign legal professionals

Shanghai's Changning district on Sept 29 issued the city's first five-year work permit for foreign legal professionals hired by a law firm in China, together with a corresponding five-year residence permit, the maximum duration allowed under national regulations.

The move brings significant relief to foreign lawyers, who previously had to renew both permits annually.

Benjamin Bai, an international partner at King & Wood Mallesons in Shanghai, became the first recipient.

"The renewal process used to restrict overseas travel and hinder international business development," said Bai, a Chinese-American lawyer working in Shanghai since 2009. "Even domestic travel became complicated during that period."

He described the five-year permit as "extremely meaningful" and praised the efficiency of the application process, which took just one week.

"I hope other Chinese cities follow Shanghai's lead in improving convenience for foreign professionals," Bai added.

According to the Changning district government, the new policy reflects rising demand for high-quality legal services involving foreign professionals and demonstrates Shanghai’s ongoing efforts to refine its business environment through interdepartmental coordination.