For foreign families working and living in Shanghai, the biggest worry about their children is nothing more than two things: legal residence and smooth enrollment.
对于在沪工作生活的外籍家庭来说，关于孩子的最大顾虑，莫过于两件事：合法居留、顺利入学。
Many foreign parents are confused and anxious: My child is a foreign national, can he apply for a residence permit in Shanghai?
不少外籍家长陷入困惑与焦虑：我的孩子是外籍，能在上海办理居留许可吗？
What materials are needed? Do I have to go back to my home country to handle the kinship authentication?
需要准备哪些材料？亲属关系认证一定要回本国办理吗？
How to connect the residence permit with school enrollment, so as not to delay the child's admission time?
居留许可和入学怎么衔接，才不会耽误孩子的入学时间？
These are the most common pain points for foreign families, and also the key issues we will focus on solving today.
这些都是外籍家庭最常遇到的痛点，也是今天我们重点解决的核心问题。
This guide is fully based on the latest official policies of Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration, Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, no exaggeration, no fabrication, step-by-step explanation, helping you get through the whole process smoothly.
本指南全程依据上海市出入境管理局、上海市教育委员会及外交部最新官方政策，无夸大、无杜撰，一步步拆解说明，帮你顺畅打通全流程。
Key Premise: Conditions for Children to Apply for Residence Permit in Shanghai
关键前提：子女在沪办理居留许可的条件（必看）
The core condition for foreign children to apply for a residence permit in Shanghai is closely linked to their parents' residence status, which is clearly stipulated in the national immigration policy.
外籍子女在上海申请居留许可，核心条件与父母的居留状态直接挂钩，这也是国家移民政策明确规定的。
Core condition (must meet): One of the child's parents holds a valid work-type residence permit in Shanghai.
核心条件（需全部满足）：孩子的父母一方，持有上海有效工作类居留许可。
Supplementary conditions (all must be met):
补充条件（需全部满足）：
1. The child is under 18 years old (minor), and has no criminal record (for minors, it is subject to the certificate issued by the relevant authority of the country of residence).
1. 孩子为18周岁以下（未成年人），无犯罪记录（未成年人以居留国相关机构出具的证明为准）。
2. The child has a legal kinship with the parent holding the work-type residence permit (proven by birth certificate and kinship authentication).
2. 孩子与持有工作类居留许可的父母一方，存在合法亲属关系（以出生证明及亲属关系认证为准）。
3. The parent's work-type residence permit is within the validity period, and there is no record of illegal residence or overstay.
3. 父母一方的工作类居留许可在有效期内，无非法居留、逾期停留记录。
Note: If both parents are foreign nationals and neither holds a work-type residence permit in Shanghai, the child cannot apply for a residence permit in Shanghai temporarily.
备注：若父母双方均为外籍，且均未持有上海工作类居留许可，孩子暂无法在上海办理居留许可。
Essential Materials: No Missing, No Detour (Including Authentication & Translation)
必备材料：不遗漏、不绕路（含认证+翻译）
The most error-prone link in handling the child's residence permit is the preparation of materials, especially the birth certificate, kinship authentication and translation.
办理孩子居留许可，最容易出错的环节就是材料准备，尤其是出生证明、亲属关系认证及翻译件。
The following materials are required for both residence permit application and subsequent school enrollment, so it is recommended to prepare more copies in advance.
以下材料，无论是居留许可申请，还是后续入学均需用到，建议提前多准备几份复印件。
Basic Materials (Personal + Parent)
基础材料（孩子+父母）
1. The child's original passport and copy of the information page (clear and complete, no alteration).
1. 孩子护照原件+信息页复印件（清晰完整，无涂改）。
2. Original and copy of the parent's passport, work-type residence permit (the parent holding the residence permit).
2. 父母一方（持有居留许可）的护照、工作类居留许可原件及复印件。
3. The parent's work permit and employment certificate (proving stable work in Shanghai).
3. 父母一方的工作许可及就业证明（证明在上海稳定工作）。
Core Materials (Key to Approval)
核心材料（审批关键）
1. Child's birth certificate: Original + notarized and authenticated copy.
1. 孩子出生证明：原件+公证认证复印件。
If the birth certificate is issued overseas, it must be notarized and authenticated in the country of issuance; if it is issued in China, it can be used directly with the original.
若出生证明为境外出具，需在颁发国完成公证、认证；若为境内出具，凭原件即可直接使用。
2. Kinship authentication: To prove the legal kinship between the child and the parent holding the residence permit.
2. 亲属关系认证：证明孩子与持有居留许可父母一方的合法亲属关系。
Generally, it can be replaced by the notarized and authenticated birth certificate (the birth certificate clearly indicates the parent-child relationship), and there is no need to handle additional authentication.
一般可由经过公证认证的出生证明替代（出生证明明确标注亲子关系），无需额外办理亲属关系认证。
If the birth certificate does not indicate the parent-child relationship, it is necessary to apply for kinship notarization and authentication separately.
若出生证明未标注亲子关系，则需单独办理亲属关系公证、认证。
3. Standard translation documents: All foreign-language materials (birth certificate, kinship certificate, etc.) must be translated by a qualified translation agency.
3. 规范翻译件：所有外文材料（出生证明、亲属关系证明等），均需由有资质的翻译机构完成翻译。
Translation requirements: With the translation agency's official seal, translator's signature and contact information, the content is consistent with the original, and no omission or modification.
翻译要求：加盖翻译机构公章、译者签名及联系方式，内容与原件一致，无遗漏、无篡改。
Supplementary Materials (According to Actual Situation)
补充材料（根据实际情况提供）
1. The child's recent white-background 2-inch ID photos (taken within 6 months, 2-4 copies).
1. 孩子近期2寸白底证件照（6个月内拍摄，2-4张）。
2. Health check certificate: For children over 16 years old, a health check certificate issued by a medical institution designated by Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration is required.
2. 体检证明：16周岁以上孩子，需提供上海市出入境管理局指定医疗机构出具的体检合格证明。
Handling Process & Time Limit: Step-by-Step, No Detour
办理流程+时限：一步步来，不绕路
The handling of the child's residence permit is divided into 4 steps, and the whole process can be completed online and offline combined, which has been optimized in 2026 and is more efficient.
孩子居留许可办理分为4个步骤，全程可线上线下结合完成，2026年流程已优化，办理更高效。
Step 1: Prepare materials and complete notarization & authentication (3-10 working days)
第1步：准备材料，完成公证认证（3-10个工作日）
Sort out all required materials, complete the notarization and authentication of overseas materials (birth certificate), and handle standard translation.
整理所有所需材料，完成境外材料（出生证明）的公证、认证，办理规范翻译件。
Tips: Kinship authentication can be handled together with the birth certificate notarization to save time.
小贴士：亲属关系认证可与出生证明公证一并办理，节省时间。
Step 2: Online declaration and appointment (1 working day)
第2步：线上申报，预约办理（1个工作日）
The parent logs on to the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration official system, fills in the child's information and application information truthfully, uploads the scanned copies of materials, and makes an offline handling appointment.
由父母一方登录上海市出入境管理局官方系统，如实填写孩子信息及申请信息，上传材料扫描件，预约线下办理时间。
Step 3: Offline submission and on-site review (1 working day)
第3步：线下提交，现场审核（1个工作日）
Bring all original materials and copies to the appointed exit-entry window, and the staff will review the materials on site.
携带所有材料原件及复印件，前往预约的出入境窗口，工作人员现场审核材料。
If the materials are complete and standardized, the review can be completed on the same day; if there are deficiencies, supplementary materials will be notified on the spot.
材料齐全、规范的，当日即可完成审核；若有缺失，现场会告知补充材料。
Step 4: Collect the residence permit (7-10 working days)
第4步：领取居留许可（7-10个工作日）
After the review is passed, you can choose to collect the residence permit on site or mail it to your home.
审核通过后，可选择现场领取居留许可，或邮寄到家。
Total time limit: Generally 11-22 working days, which can be expedited for urgent needs (3-5 working days).
总时限：一般11-22个工作日，紧急需求可申请加急（3-5个工作日办结）。
Key Node Reminder: Connect Residence Permit with School Enrollment
关键节点提醒：居留许可与入学的衔接（重中之重）
Many foreign parents miss the child's enrollment time because they do not grasp the connection node between residence permit and school enrollment.
不少外籍家长，因为没有把握好居留许可与入学的衔接节点，耽误了孩子的入学时间。
Focus on 3 core nodes (in line with Shanghai's compulsory education enrollment policy):
重点梳理3个核心节点（符合上海义务教育招生政策）：
1. Enrollment application node: The child must hold a valid residence permit when applying for school (public primary and secondary schools).
1. 入学申请节点：孩子申请入学（公办中小学）时，必须持有有效居留许可。
It is recommended to start handling the residence permit 3-6 months before the enrollment application to avoid delay due to policy adjustment or material supplementary.
建议在入学申请前3-6个月启动居留许可办理，避免因政策调整、材料补充等原因耽误时间。
2. Material submission node: The residence permit, birth certificate (notarized and authenticated), kinship certificate and other materials must be submitted together when applying for school.
2. 材料提交节点：入学申请时，需一并提交居留许可、出生证明（公证认证件）、亲属关系证明等材料。
All materials must be within the validity period, and the translated materials must meet the official standards.
所有材料需在有效期内，翻译材料需符合官方规范。
3. Renewal connection node: If the child's residence permit expires during school, it must be renewed 1 month in advance.
3. 续期衔接节点：孩子在校期间，若居留许可到期，需提前1个月办理续期。
The expired residence permit will affect the child's normal enrollment and school attendance.
居留许可逾期失效，会影响孩子正常入学、就读。
Common Mistakes to Avoid: 4 Pitfalls That 80% of Parents Step On
避坑提醒：80%家长都会踩的4个坑
1. Mistake: Thinking that the kinship authentication must be handled in the home country.
1. 误区：认为亲属关系认证必须回本国办理。
Correction: If the birth certificate clearly indicates the parent-child relationship, the notarized and authenticated birth certificate can be used instead, without going back to the home country.
纠正：若出生证明明确标注亲子关系，可凭公证认证后的出生证明替代，无需回国。
2. Mistake: Using unqualified translation documents (self-translation or translation without official seal).
2. 误区：使用不合格翻译件（自行翻译或无公章翻译）。
Correction: All foreign-language materials must be translated by a qualified agency with official seal, otherwise they will be deemed invalid.
纠正：所有外文材料必须由有资质机构翻译并加盖公章，否则视为无效材料。
3. Mistake: Delaying the residence permit handling and missing the enrollment application time.
3. 误区：拖延居留许可办理，错过入学申请时间。
Correction: Grasp the time limit, start handling 3-6 months in advance, and reserve time for supplementary materials.
纠正：把握办理时限，提前3-6个月启动，预留材料补充时间。
4. Mistake: Forgetting to renew the residence permit, which affects the child's school attendance.
4. 误区：忘记续期居留许可，影响孩子就读。
Correction: Set a reminder, renew the residence permit 1 month before expiration, and the renewal process is simpler than the initial application.
纠正：设置提醒，到期前1个月办理续期，续期流程比初次申请更简便。
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