Q: How to go through the formalities of foreigner employment in Shanghai?

1) If the Representative Office will hire foreigners the employer should apply for Certificate of Working Permit issued by the Foreigner Employment Office of Shanghai Labor Bureau before entering China.
2) With the Certificate of Working Permit the employer should proceed to the entry visa for the employed foreigner.
3) The authorized unit will send the letter of entry visa and the Certificate of Working Permit to the employed foreigner.
4) The foreigner with concerned documents including the received letter and the Certificate should go for application of professional (Z) visa
5) Within 15 days the foreigner with (Z) Visa should apply for the Employment Permit issued by the Foreigner Employment Management Office of Shanghai Labor Bureau.
6) If has received the Employment Permit the employed foreigner should go to Shanghai Security Bureau for Residence Permit within 30 days.
7) Without the requirement of Working Permit the appointed Chief Representative or
Representative of Shanghai Representative Office can directly go for Employment Permit and Residence Permit with the Work Certificate of Representative Office in China of Foreign Enterprises issued by Shanghai Administration Bureau of Industry and commerce.

Q: How to deal with the invitation letter for business purpose?

If the foreigners come to Shanghai for short term business visit, you can ask Shanghai Foreign Service Company (SFSC) to handle the invitation letter for business visa, the documents are required as below:
1. entrust letter (name, purpose, entry place, visit purpose
2. copy of visitor’s passport