When foreign friends plan to live and work in Shanghai for a long time, they will inevitably face a key choice: apply for a residence permit or strive for a permanent residence (Green Card)?
当外籍朋友计划在上海长期居住、工作时，总会面临一个关键选择：是申请居留许可，还是全力冲刺永久居留（绿卡）？
Many people are tangled: Which one is easier to apply for? Which one is more cost-effective for their own situation? What are the essential differences in rights and interests?
不少人陷入纠结：哪一个申请更简单？哪一个更贴合自身情况、更划算？在权益上又有哪些本质区别？
Some even mistakenly think that "residence permit is equivalent to Green Card", or "Green Card is the only choice for long-term residence", which leads to detours in handling procedures.
甚至有人误以为“居留许可等同于绿卡”，或是“长期居留只能选绿卡”，最终在办理流程上走了不少弯路。
Today, we help every foreign friend in Shanghai choose the most cost-effective and suitable path in 2026!
今天，我们帮每一位在沪外籍朋友，选对2026年最划算、最适配自身的居留路线！
First, clarify the core positioning: Who are they suitable for?
先明确核心定位：两者分别适合谁？
The biggest difference between residence permit and Green Card lies in the "threshold difficulty" and "right scope", which directly determines who they are suitable for.
居留许可与绿卡的最大区别，在于“门槛高低”和“权益范围”，这也直接决定了它们各自的适配人群。
Residence Permit: Suitable for 90% of Foreign Friends in Shanghai
居留许可：适合90%在沪外籍朋友的“刚需选择”
The residence permit is a legal residence document issued by the public security organ for foreigners who need to reside in China for a long time for non-diplomatic and non-official reasons.
居留许可是公安机关为因非外交、公务事由需要在中国境内长期居留的外国人签发的合法居留证件。
It is not difficult to apply, has a wide scope of application, and can meet the basic needs of long-term residence and work in Shanghai, which is the first choice for most foreign friends.
它申请难度不大、适用范围广，能满足在上海长期居留、工作的基本需求，是绝大多数外籍朋友的首选。
Key Features: Low threshold, wide coverage, flexible application
核心特点：门槛低、覆盖广、申请灵活
1. Applicable scenarios (all available, covering most needs):
1. 适用场景（均可办理，覆盖大部分需求）：
- Work-related: Foreigners who hold a work permit and work in a legally registered unit in Shanghai can apply.
- 工作类：持有工作许可，在上海合法注册单位工作的外籍人士，均可申请。
- Family reunion: Foreign spouses, minor children and elderly parents of Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in China can apply.
- 团聚类：中国公民或在中国有永久居留资格的外国人的外籍配偶、未成年子女、年迈父母，均可申请。
- Private affairs: Foreigners who need to reside in Shanghai for private reasons such as medical treatment, care for relatives, and property management can apply with relevant certificates.
- 私人事务类：因就医、照顾亲属、财产管理等私人原因，需要在上海居留的外籍人士，凭相关证明即可申请。
2. Validity period (official standard):
2. 有效期（官方标准）：
- For high-level talents and urgent and scarce talents needed by the country, a residence permit with a validity period of no more than 5 years can be issued.
- 对国家需要的高层次人才和急需紧缺专门人才，可签发有效期不超过5年的居留证件。
- For personnel working in well-known record-keeping units, a residence permit with a validity period of no more than 2 years can be issued.
- 对在信誉良好的备案单位工作的人员，可签发有效期不超过2年的居留证件。
- For other personnel, a residence permit with a validity period of no more than 1 year can be issued, which can be renewed on time.
- 对其他人员，可签发有效期不超过1年的居留证件，按时续期即可持续居留。
3. Key reminder: It needs to be renewed on time, and it will become invalid if it expires.
3. 重点提醒：需按时续期，逾期失效。
Green Card (Permanent Residence): High-value Choice for Long-term Settlement
永居（绿卡）：长期定居的“高价值选择”
The Green Card (Permanent Residence Permit for Foreigners in China) is a legal document that allows foreigners to reside permanently in China and enjoy corresponding rights and interests.
永居（中国外国人永久居留证），是允许外籍人士在中国永久居留、享受相应权益的合法证件。
Its application threshold is relatively high, but once obtained, it can enjoy almost the same rights and interests as Chinese citizens in many aspects, which is suitable for foreign friends who plan to settle in Shanghai for a long time.
它的申请门槛相对较高，但一旦获得，可在多个方面享受与中国公民近乎同等的权益，适合计划在上海长期定居的外籍朋友。
Key Features: High threshold, high rights and interests, permanent validity
核心特点：门槛高、权益高、终身有效
1. 6 types of official application conditions (all based on national policies):
1. 6类官方申请条件（均依据国家政策）：
- High-level talents: Foreigners who are recognized as high-level talents by the Chinese government, such as academics, technology and management talents.
- 高层次人才：经中国政府认定的高层次人才，如学术、技术、管理类人才等。
- Investors: Foreigners who invest in China in accordance with relevant national regulations and meet the investment amount and operation period requirements.
- 投资者：按照国家有关规定在中国投资，且符合投资额度、经营期限等要求的外籍人士。
- Talents with special contributions: Foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to China's economic and social development.
- 有特殊贡献人才：对中国经济社会发展作出突出贡献的外籍人士。
- Spouses and children of Chinese citizens: Foreign spouses of Chinese citizens, minor children (under 18 years old) and elderly parents who meet the conditions.
- 中国公民配偶及子女：符合条件的中国公民外籍配偶、未成年子女（18周岁以下）、年迈父母。
- Long-term residents: Foreigners who have legally resided in China for more than 5 consecutive years, with stable work and residence.
- 长期居留者：连续在中国合法居留满5年以上，且有稳定工作、住所的外籍人士。
- Talents in key fields: Foreigners engaged in work in key fields such as science and technology, education, culture, health and sports.
- 重点领域人才：从事科技、教育、文化、卫生、体育等重点领域工作的外籍人士。
2. Requirements for social security, tax and residence (must be met):
2. 社保、税务、居住要求（需全部满足）：
- Social security: Pay social security in Shanghai in accordance with regulations during the residence period, no interruption or default.
- 社保：居留期间按规定在上海缴纳社保，无中断、无欠缴。
- Taxation: Declare and pay personal income tax in accordance with Chinese tax laws, no tax evasion or default.
- 税务：按照中国税法规定申报缴纳个人所得税，无偷税、欠税行为。
- Residence: Legally reside in Shanghai for the required number of years, with complete residence records (no illegal residence or overstay).
- 居住：合法在上海居留满规定年限，居留记录完整（无非法居留、逾期停留情况）。
Core Rights Comparison: Why Choose Green Card?
核心权益对比：为什么值得冲刺绿卡？
Compared with residence permit, Green Card has obvious advantages in terms of rights and interests, which is also the main reason why many people strive for it.
相较于居留许可，绿卡在权益方面有着明显优势，这也是很多人全力冲刺的主要原因。
Focus on 4 major practical conveniences (all based on official policies):
重点梳理4大实用便利（均依据官方政策）：
1. Social security: Enjoy the same social security benefits as Chinese citizens, including pension, medical care, unemployment and other insurances, and can continue to enjoy relevant benefits after retirement.
1. 社保方面：享受与中国公民同等的社会保险待遇，包括养老、医疗、失业等保险，退休后可继续享受相关待遇。
2. House purchase: No need to provide additional residence period certificates, and can purchase houses in Shanghai in accordance with the regulations of Chinese citizens, without being restricted by the number of years of residence.
2. 买房方面：无需额外提供居留年限证明，可按照中国公民规定在上海购房，不受居留年限限制。
3. Children's enrollment: Minor children can enroll in public primary and secondary schools in Shanghai in accordance with the regulations of local residents, without going through additional foreign student procedures.
3. 子女入学方面：未成年子女可按照当地居民规定，在上海公办中小学入学，无需办理额外的外籍学生手续。
4. Travel visa-free: Hold a Green Card, no need to apply for a visa when exiting and entering China multiple times, and can stay in China permanently without renewal.
4. 出行免签方面：持有绿卡，多次出入境中国无需申请签证，可在中国永久居留，无需办理续期手续。
2026 Shanghai Green Card Latest Simplification Points (Official Release)
2026上海永居最新简化点（官方发布）
In 2026, Shanghai has further optimized the Green Card application process, focusing on simplifying the procedures and reducing the application burden for foreign friends.
2026年，上海进一步优化永居申请流程，重点为外籍朋友简化手续、减轻申请负担。
1. Simplified application materials: Cancel the submission of duplicate materials such as employment certificate duplicates, and realize online verification of most materials.
1. 申请材料简化：取消就业证明复印件等重复材料提交，大部分材料实现线上核验。
2. Shortened review time: The review period for Green Card applications is shortened from 6 months to 4 months, and the progress can be inquired online in real time.
2. 审核时长缩短：永居申请审核周期由6个月缩短至4个月，进度可线上实时查询。
3. Green channel opening: High-level talents and talents in key fields can enjoy the Green Card application green channel, with priority review and expedited handling.
3. 绿色通道开通：高层次人才、重点领域人才可享受永居申请绿色通道，优先审核、加急办理。
4. Family members accompanying optimization: The spouse and minor children of Green Card applicants can apply for accompanying permanent residence at the same time, simplifying the application process.
4. 家属随迁优化：永居申请人的配偶、未成年子女可同步申请随迁永居，简化申请流程。
Final Choice Guide: Which One Is Most Cost-Effective for You?
最终选择指南：你选哪一个最划算？
Choose a residence permit if:
符合以下情况，选居留许可即可：
- You plan to stay in Shanghai for 1-5 years, with uncertain long-term settlement plans.
- 计划在上海居留1-5年，长期定居计划不明确。
- You want to apply simply and quickly, without meeting the high thresholds of Green Card (such as social security, tax and talent requirements).
- 希望申请简单快捷，无法满足永居的高门槛（如社保、税务、人才要求等）。
- Only need to meet the basic needs of work and residence, and do not have high requirements for additional rights and interests.
- 仅需满足工作、居留的基本需求，对额外权益无过高要求。
Strive for Green Card if:
符合以下情况，可全力冲刺永居：
- You plan to settle in Shanghai permanently (more than 5 years) and hope to enjoy more rights and interests.
- 计划在上海永久定居（5年以上），希望享受更多权益。
- You meet the 6 types of Green Card application conditions, and have complete social security, tax and residence records.
- 符合永居6类申请条件，且社保、税务、居留记录完整。
- You have needs for your children's long-term enrollment, house purchase, and cross-border travel convenience.
- 有子女长期入学、买房、跨境出行便利等需求。
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