Does it take one year to apply for a residence permit in Shenzhen?

You don't need to live for one year to apply for a residence permit in Shenzhen.

According to relevant regulations, it is not mandatory to live in Shenzhen for one year. Applicants need to fill in the application form for residence permit at the accepting unit of their current residence, and provide the original and photocopy of ID card, residence certificate and other related materials. After the materials examined by the accepting unit are qualified, the applicant will get a residence permit, and can get a residence permit on or after the appointment date. At the same time, the holder who has participated in social insurance in the SAR for eight months within one year before the application date and has lived in the SAR for eight months can apply for a residence permit endorsement. Therefore, the requirements for social security and residence time are not one year, but a total of eight months.

Conditions for applying for residence permit:

1, the applicant's valid identity document;

2. Proof of the applicant's residence address;

3. The applicant's recent bareheaded color photos;

4. Other relevant materials that meet the local residence permit application.

To sum up, you don't need to live for one year to apply for a residence permit in Shenzhen. As long as you provide the relevant materials and meet the conditions of paying social insurance for eight months and living for eight months in the special zone, you can complete the application and get a residence permit at the accepting unit, which simplifies the procedures for foreigners to settle in Shenzhen.

Legal basis:

Regulations of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone on Residence Permit

Article 19

To apply for a residence permit, a person with a non-deep household registration shall meet the following conditions: (1) Having a legally stable residence in the Special Zone. Non-deep household registration personnel who have lived continuously for twelve months from the date of household registration to the date of applying for residence permit shall be deemed to have a legally stable residence; (2) Having a lawful and stable occupation in the Special Zone. Non-deep household registration personnel who have participated in social insurance in the special zone for twelve consecutive months or eighteen months before the date of applying for residence permit shall be deemed to have a legal and stable occupation from the date of household registration to the date of applying for residence permit. Non-deep household registration personnel who meet the conditions for talent introduction in the Special Zone and are receiving full-time secondary and higher education in the Special Zone may apply for residence permits directly if they register in the Special Zone in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations.