Health certificates, employers’ business licenses and certificates of residence ownership or registration forms of temporary accommodation are no longer compulsory for high-level foreign professionals with permanent residence permits to apply for the Shanghai Residence Card B, which enables foreigners to enjoy certain benefits that apply to local people. Local authorities said permanent residence permit holders, who are working or starting up private businesses, were eligible to qualify for a Card B, providing they held bachelor or higher educational degrees. They now only had to submit application forms, passports, permanent residence permits, certificates of their highest educational qualifications and employment contracts valid for at least 12 months. Foreign investors have to submit an auditing report covering the previous fiscal year. The validity of the Shanghai Residence Card B depends on credits the applicants can get based on their own background, such as education qualification, age, career and achievement. Applicants with credits above 65 can get a Card B valid from one to 10 years – the higher the points, the longer the card is valid. A permanent residence permit can give an applicant 100 extra points. Benefits for expatriates with a Shanghai Residence Card B will also be upgraded. Besides participation in the local social security system and education opportunities for their children, foreigners with a Card B can apply for “high-end talent” certificates to enjoy simplified customs clearance service for their research, teaching and personal materials. More information is obtainable by visiting the websites of the Shanghai Human Resources and Social Security Bureau (www.12333sh.gov.cn) and the Shanghai Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (www.shafea.gov.cn), the Shanghai Daily reports.