Russian and Arabic-speaking expats in Shenzhen can now breathe a sigh of relief as the Shenzhen police now offer services in their native languages. As of Friday, the services are accessible via the official Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau WeChat account and the iShenzhen app. Shenzhen is the first city in China to provide such services.

Initially, the services include online appointments for review of permanent residency in China and applications for stay or temporary residence permits, as well as entry-exit and travel permits.

Users can experience the new features by following the WeChat public account “深圳公安” (“Shenzhen Police”), clicking on “政务服务” ( “Government Services”), and entering the “Language” page.

In October 2023, the bureau introduced an English version.

The recent enhancement is a strategic response to the 16th BRICS Leaders’ Meeting, which emphasized high-quality cooperation among BRICS countries. The new changes also align with Shenzhen’s work plan for optimizing the international business environment from 2023 to 2025, according to the bureau.

This upgrade not only simplifies administrative processes for non-English speakers but also reflects Shenzhen’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and international-friendly city.