Foreigners applying for a residence card as an employee in Shanghai should submit the following:
(1) Application letter from the employer
(2) One copy of either the business licence transcript of a legal entity in China or the registration certificate of a representative office of a foreign enterprise.
(3) One copy of the qualification certificate issued by the Shanghai Municipality Foreign Trade and Economy Committee (MOFTEC) or other relative authorities.
(4) Foreign Expert's certificate or employment registration form for the foreigners issued by the Shanghai Municipality Labour Bureau (chairmen and vice-chairmen of the board with no current post are exempted by providing proof of validity (annual examination) of their company's business licence transcript.
(5) Health Certificate issued by health and quarantine administration in China.
(6) Temporary residence certificate issued by a hotel or the police in the applicant's residential district.
(7) Two 2 inch half length photographs.
(8) Passport
The applicant should present himself for an interview.

In accordance with Article 16 of Rules Governing the Implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit of Aliens:
Aliens holding visas D, Z, X or J-1 shall, within 30 days of entry into China, obtain aliens' residence cards or aliens' temporary residence cards from the city or county Public security Bureau at the place of their residence. The period of validity of the aforementioned certificates is the duration of the holders' permitted stay in China.
Foreigners applying for a residence card as a dependent of a foreign employee in Shanghai should submit the following:
(1) Application letter from the foreign employee's company or unit (the spouse should submit the marriage certificate).
(2) Health Certificate issued by health and quarantine administration in China (applicants under 16 years old are exempted).
(3) Temporary residence certificate.
(4) Two 2 inch half length photographs.
(5) The applicant's Passport
(6) The foreign employee's residence card
The children of 18 years or over are ineligible to apply for a residence card as a dependent.

Foreigners applying for the extension of the residence card as an employee in Shanghai should submit the following:
1) Application letter from the employer.
(2) Foreign expert's certificate or foreigner's work permit which has been extended (chairmen and vice-chairmen of the board with no current post are exempted by providing proof of validity (annual examination) of their company's business licence transcript.
(3) Residence Card.
(4) Passport.
Foreigners applying for the extension of the residence card as a dependent of a foreign employee in Shanghai should submit the following:
(1) Application letter from the foreign employee's company or unit.
(2) The applicant's passport.
(3) The applicant's residence card.
(4) The foreign employee's residence card.
Foreign employees/dependents applying for the alteration of the residence card should submit the following:
(1) Application letter from the foreign employee's company or unit.
(2) The applicant's residence card.
(3) i. For altering the unit/profession/post: the new foreign expert's certificate or the foreigner's work permit which has been altered (chairmen and vice-chairmen of the board with no current post are exempted by providing proof of validity (annual examination) of their company's business licence transcript.
ii For altering the address temporary residence certificate for the new address in Shanghai or
iii For altering the passport: the new and the old passport
In accordance with Article 21 of Rules Governing the Implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit of Aliens:
In case of any changes in the information written in an alien's residence card (such as name, nationality, occupation, status, place of work, address, passport number and accompanying children), the holder of the card shall, within 10 days, register such changes with the Public Security Bureau at the place of his/her residence.
In accordance with Article 22 of Rules Governing the Implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit of Aliens:
The holder of an alien's residence card who wishes to move out of the city or county of residence shall, before moving, register the move with the Public Security Bureau at the original place of residence. And within 10 days of arrival at the new place of residence, he/she shall register the move-in with the Public security Bureau at the new place if residence.
That is the complete wording on the form, verbatim. We hope that the information provided gives you an idea of what is involved and we do repeat that it is wise to discuss your own personal circumstances with the Division of Aliens & Exit-Entry Administration Shanghai Public Security Bureau.
Division of Aliens & Exit-Entry Administration Shanghai Public Security Bureau Contact Details