As of January 1, 2024, the new Shanghai International Services Portal (International Services Shanghai) will go live for trial operation, providing policy information, information services, and lifestyle guides to foreigners in Shanghai. In addition to this portal, the English version of the Foreigners' Guide to Services in Shanghai can also provide English information, enabling seamless reading.
Q: What services can the new Shanghai International Services Portal provide?
A: The portal is in English and provides foreigners with government, information, and lifestyle services. Specifically:
1. It gathers policy information and service measures related to Shanghai's foreign-related business environment.
2. It provides public service guidelines for 121 services, covering almost all daily life needs, including but not limited to government services. For example, foreigners' concerns about entry procedures, hotel reservations, bank services, mobile payments, transportation, pet carrying, renting apartments, housekeeping, restaurants, and delicious food can all be found on the website. The website also sets up different demand scenarios such as business, work, travel, study, and consumption, and provides "Moving to Shanghai," "Getting Familiar with Shanghai," and "Integrating into Shanghai" .
The new Shanghai International Service Portal website features different demand scenarios for business, work, travel, study and consumption, and users can quickly access the service interface by clicking on the corresponding scenario.
3. It provides online service functions. The website has currently integrated six online service functions, including extension, renewal, replacement and issuance of foreigner's visas, as well as issuance of foreigner's stay permit. More service and transaction functions will be gradually launched in the near future.
Q: How can the new Shanghai International Service Portal be accessed?
A: The public can access the new Shanghai International Service Portal official website at english.shanghai.gov.cn, or through the "intl services shanghai" WeChat public account, Facebook account and X account.
Q: What services can the "Handbook for Foreigners in Shanghai" provide?
A: The handbook is divided into four parts.
- The "Overview of Shanghai" introduces the basic situation of Shanghai.
- The "Arrival in Shanghai" includes important information such as post-entry administrative procedures, useful apps, public transportation, renting apartments, education, medical care, emergency hotlines, weather, legal holidays, etc.
- The "Exploring Shanghai" recommends some distinctive cultural venues, travel information, bookstores, international exhibitions and events, shopping, popular tourist spots, and specialty food.
- The "Service Information" covers various practical websites, English hotlines, and lists of service agencies, etc.
In addition, the manual includes more than 40 illustrations and an English subway map, with 36 QR codes embedded, extending service information and guidelines to help foreigners better meet their needs for work and life in Shanghai.
The manual lists commonly used mobile apps in Shanghai.
Q: Where can one obtain the "Handbook for Foreigners in Shanghai"?
A: The main distribution points for the manual are the major entry ports in the city, the city's two-level foreign service windows, and major five-star hotels.
Meanwhile, the electronic version of the manual has been launched on the websites and official WeChat accounts of Shanghai International Service Portal, the municipal foreign affairs office, and the municipal people's friendship association, as well as the website of City News Service.
In the future, the manual will be gradually released in French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Russian, German, Arabic, and Portuguese versions.
