Ningbo in East China's Zhejiang province will issue electronic versions of residential permits starting from Oct 12, according to local media reports.

The e-certificates can be applied for on the official website of the Zhejiang Provincial People's Government or on Zheliban, an online administrative service platform in the province.

Physical cards will not be issued any longer. The change to electronic versions is expected to cut the application time required from 15 work days to two.

Those who cannot apply online due to reasons like age restrictions or inability to use smartphones can complete the application procedures at local public security organs.

Electronic resident permit holders are required to apply for endorsement once within one month prior to the expiration of their electronic permit, which is set at one year after the date of its issuance.

People who have been registered in their place of residence for more than half a year and meet one of the conditions of lawful and stable employment, lawful and stable residence or continuous study are eligible to apply for the permits.

Those who fulfill requirements set by governments above county-level in terms of talent and investment introduction are not subject to the aforementioned conditions.