Recently, Shanghai issued its first “start-up visa” to a French entrepreneur Marc Olivier. In May 2018, Shanghai's Public Security Bureau introduced a new “Private Residence Permit (Entrepreneurship)“, commonly known as the 'startup visa", which facilitates foreigners’ efforts to set up their startup businesses in the city. 

Photo: Marc Olivier at the Ktech International Business Incubation Center

The “startup visa” is available to individuals that may have been excluded from other visa categories, including those foreign students who have newly graduated from a domestic university and have an intent to start up their own businesses in Shanghai, foreigners who intend to invest or start up their own businesses, and those who have graduated from famous domestic and oversea universities in less than two years but started up innovative businesses in Shanghai.

Last year, Ktech International Business Incubation Center in Hongqiao area learnt that it has been a challenge for foreigners to settle down to start up their own businesses in Shanghai.

Photo: the first Private Residence Permit (Entrepreneurship)

Therefore, supported by the Changning District Human Resources Bureau, Ktech International Business Incubation Center has pushed ahead with the changes to facilitate the visa issuance process for foreigners and piloted the “start-up visa” service window.

Marc has been working in Shanghai in innovation industry for years. He quit his job and started his own business at the beginning of the year. As he was not long-term employed, it was difficult for him to secure a visa. Ktech contacted Marc and reviewed his complete business-startup plan. Marc then submitted all the materials required from, and received the private affair resident permit after just five working days.

Marc felt very happy that he can receive the “startup visa” in such a short time and said that this new policy will go a long way towards foreigners'entrepreneurship in China.