Huge policy dividend for expats working in Shanghai! The fingerprint collection exemption policy for foreign work visa applications has been officially extended to December 31, 2026✅ This means expats no longer need to make extra trips for on-site fingerprinting, saving time and effort. This guide deciphers official policies, details applicable scenarios, Shanghai practical requirements, and special cases that still require fingerprint collection.
上海外籍人士重大政策红利来袭！ 外籍工作签免采指纹政策正式延期至2026年12月31日！这意味着外籍人士办理工作签无需再额外跑线下录指纹，省时又省力。本篇指南拆解官方政策，详解适用场景、上海实操要求，明确仍需采指纹的特殊情况，干货直给，上手即用！
Official Policy Announcement｜官方政策官宣（有依据不杜撰）
In order to further facilitate visa applicants and optimize the foreign talent service environment in Shanghai, Chinese visa-issuing authorities have officially extended the fingerprint collection exemption policy until December 31, 2026. This policy covers relevant links of foreign work visa (Z visa) and work permit applications in Shanghai, which is implemented in accordance with the "Notice on Extending the Fingerprint Collection Exemption Policy" issued by the National Immigration Administration .
为进一步便利签证申请人，优化上海外籍人才服务环境，中国驻外签证机关正式将外籍人士工作签相关免采指纹政策延长期限至2026年12月31日。该政策覆盖上海外籍工作签证（Z签）及工作许可申请的相关环节，依据国家移民管理局《关于延长免采指纹政策的通知》落地执行 。
Scope of Application for Fingerprint Exemption
免采指纹适用范围
1. Z Visa (Work Visa) ApplicationZ字签证（工作签）申请环节- Eligible: Short-term Z visa applicants (intended stay ≤ 180 days) applying for short-term work permits (≤ 90 days) . - Not Eligible: Long-term Z visa applicants (intended stay ＞ 180 days) who need to apply for long-term residence permits after entry .
- 可免采：申请短期工作许可（≤90天）、停留期≤180天的短期Z签申请人 。- 不可免采：入境后需办理长期居留许可、停留期＞180天的长期Z签申请人 。
2. Work Permit Application & Extension2.工作许可申请及延期环节
- Eligible: ① Short-term work permit application and extension (≤ 90 days); ② Long-term work permit extension (＞ 90 days) for expats who have already collected fingerprints in previous applications; ③ Work permit renewal for expats with valid residence permits . - Not Eligible: First-time application for long-term work permits (＞ 90 days) for expats who have never collected fingerprints in China .
- 可免采：① 短期工作许可（≤90天）申请及延期；② 过往已采集过指纹、申请长期工作许可（＞90天）延期的外籍人士；③ 持有有效居留许可、办理工作许可续签的外籍人士 。- 不可免采：从未在中国采集过指纹、首次申请长期工作许可（＞90天）的外籍人士 。
3. Residence Permit Application & Extension3.居留许可申请及延期环节
- Eligible: Residence permit extension for expats who have already collected fingerprints and hold valid work permits . - Not Eligible: First-time application for 5-year residence permits; residence permit re-application for expats who have not collected fingerprints or whose fingerprint information is invalid .
- 可免采：已采集过指纹、持有有效工作许可的外籍人士，办理居留许可延期 。- 不可免采：首次申请5年有效期居留许可；未采集过指纹或指纹信息失效、重新申请居留许可的外籍人士 。
🔧 Shanghai Practical Operation Guide｜上海实操指南（少跑一步的关键）
1. Operation ChannelAll procedures can be completed online through the "Shanghai Foreigner Work Management Service System" and "Shanghai One-Stop Service Platform". No on-site fingerprinting is required for eligible applicants, and materials can be submitted online or by mail .
1.操作渠道所有流程可通过“上海外国人工作管理服务系统”“上海一网通办”平台全程线上办理，符合免采条件的申请人无需线下跑录指纹，材料可线上提交或邮寄送达 。
2. Simplified Materials (Key to Saving Time)- No need to prepare fingerprint collection power of attorney or on-site appointment materials; - No need to submit fingerprint collection confirmation forms (exempted automatically after the system verifies eligibility); - Foreign documents (degree, work experience) can be uploaded with compliant translations, no need to bring originals for on-site verification (online verification is available) .
2.材料简化点（少跑一步的核心）- 无需准备指纹采集委托书、线下预约材料；- 无需提交指纹采集确认单（系统核验符合条件后自动豁免）；- 境外材料（学历、工作经历）可上传合规翻译件，无需携带原件线下核验（支持线上核验） 。
3. Processing Time- Short-term work permit (with exemption): 3-5 working days; - Long-term work permit extension (with exemption): 5-7 working days;- Residence permit extension (with exemption): 5 working days. The time limit is shortened by 20%-30% compared with the period requiring fingerprint collection .
3.办理时效- 免采指纹短期工作许可：3-5个工作日；- 免采指纹长期工作许可延期：5-7个工作日；- 免采指纹居留许可延期：5个工作日；较需采集指纹时期，时效缩短20%-30% 。
⚠️ Special Cases (Still Need Fingerprint Collection)｜例外情况（仍需采指纹，避坑必看）
1. First-time application for a 5-year residence permit in Shanghai, regardless of whether the work permit is short-term or long-term; 2. Expats who have never collected fingerprints in China and apply for a long-term work permit for the first time; 3. Expats with invalid fingerprint information (e.g., unclear fingerprints collected before, or changes in finger conditions); 4. Expats applying for D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 visas and corresponding work permits (these visas require mandatory fingerprint collection as required by policies) .
1. 首次在上海申请5年有效期居留许可，无论工作许可为短期还是长期；2. 从未在中国采集过指纹，首次申请长期工作许可的外籍人士；3. 指纹信息失效的外籍人士（如过往采集指纹模糊、手指状况发生变化等）；4. 申请D字、J1字、Q1字、S1字、X1字签证及对应工作许可的外籍人士（此类签证按政策要求需强制采集指纹） 。
Hot Q&A｜高频答疑（解决核心困惑）
Q1: Can I apply for exemption if I hold a Z visa and need to work in Shanghai for 6 months?A1: No. Your intended stay exceeds 180 days, and you need to apply for a long-term residence permit after entry. You still need to collect fingerprints in accordance with policies .
Q1：持有Z签，需在上海工作6个月，可申请免采指纹吗？A1：不可以。你的停留期超过180天，入境后需办理长期居留许可，按政策仍需采集指纹 。
Q2: I collected fingerprints when applying for a work permit last year. Do I need to collect them again when extending this year?A2: No. If your fingerprint information is valid, you can enjoy the exemption policy when extending your work permit or residence permit this year .
Q2：去年办理工作许可时已采过指纹，今年延期还需要再采吗？A2：不需要。若你的指纹信息有效，今年办理工作许可或居留许可延期时，可直接享受免采政策 。
Q3: Can the fingerprint collection exemption be applied to both enterprises and individual expats?A3: Yes. Both enterprises applying for work permits for expats in batches and individual expats applying for work permits can enjoy the exemption policy as long as they meet the eligibility criteria .
Q3：免采指纹政策，企业批量办理和外籍个人办理都能适用吗？A3：可以。无论是企业为外籍人士批量办理工作许可，还是外籍个人自行申请，只要符合免采条件，均可享受该政策 。
Exclusive Online Agency Service｜专属线上代办服务（贴合免采红利，少跑到底）
Taking advantage of Shanghai's fingerprint collection exemption policy, we provide exclusive online agency services for foreign work visas and work permits, focusing on "zero on-site fingerprinting, full online operation" to help expats and enterprises save time and avoid detours:
依托上海免采指纹政策红利，我司提供外籍工作签+工作许可专属线上代办服务，聚焦“零线下录指纹、全程线上操作”，帮外籍人士及企业省时避坑：
✅ Eligibility Pre-Verification: Professional team verifies whether expats meet the fingerprint collection exemption criteria in advance, avoiding unnecessary on-site trips due to incorrect judgment;
✅ 免采资格预审核：专业团队提前核验外籍人士是否符合免采指纹条件，避免因判断失误多跑线下；
✅ Full Online Operation: Familiar with the operation standards of Shanghai's official systems, complete online system filling, material upload and approval follow-up on behalf of clients, no need for expats to run offline;
✅ 全程线上操作：熟悉上海官方系统操作规范，代办线上系统填报、材料上传及审批跟进，无需外籍人士线下跑动；
✅ Material Pre-Review & Simplification: Guide clients to prepare simplified materials in accordance with policies, verify the compliance of foreign documents and translations, and ensure one-time submission;
✅ 材料预审简化：指导客户按政策准备简化材料，核验境外材料及翻译件合规性，确保一次性提交通过；
✅ Enterprise/Individual Adaptation: Provide batch agency services for enterprises and one-on-one customized services for individual expats, fully adapting to the needs of short-term/long-term work permits.
✅ 政企适配服务：为企业提供批量代办，为外籍个人提供一对一定制服务，全面适配短期/长期工作许可需求。