One-stop expat services center established in central China

CHANGSHA - A one-stop services center for foreigners working in the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone was launched on Friday in Changsha, capital of Central China's Hunan province.

The center offers expatriates streamlined services to process documents including health certificates for international travel, work permits and residence permits, cutting the total waiting time from 30 working days to as few as 10.

Previously, expats needed to go through three government departments -- customs, science and technology, and public security -- for the documents required to work in China.

"We used to go to three different places to apply for a visa, which took time and energy. Now we can finish it all in the same building. It's so convenient in Changsha," said Russian expat Ilya Fokin, the first foreigner to use the one-stop services.

A Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Department official said the department will continue to provide high-quality services for foreign experts working in Hunan.