Confirm the requirement: First, ensure that you actually need a non-criminal record. This information can be provided by your new HR or a school department.
Gather your documents:
1) Passport of the applicant (including previous passports used during your stay in China).
2) Proof of residence, such as the Temporary Accommodation Registration Form for Foreigners.
3) Proof of work in China, including employment certificate issued by the company, labor contract, and tax documents.
4) Students can provide student ID, certificate of enrollment, and graduation certificate.
5) If accompanied by family members, you need to provide proof of relationship with the said person (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate).
6) Application form issued by the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau.
7) If someone else is handling the application on behalf of the applicant, provide an authorization letter.
Translation & notarization: After obtaining the non-criminal record, you may need to have it translated from Chinese by an authorized translation agency*. The translated documents will also need to be notarized and authenticated.
*Most countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, South Africa etc.) accept the basic notarization process, but a few countries still require the NCR to be legalized by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the respective consulate in Shanghai or elsewhere (Spain, Italy, France, Argentina, Slovakia, Brazil, Austria, Vietnam etc.). Please double check which service you need ahead of time!
The processing time for a non-criminal record can vary from 7 working days to a few weeks, but it’s a good idea to apply well in advance to avoid any delays in your other plans or applications.
