Living in China

Permanent residence for foreigners

Foreigner permanent residence card, also known as Chinese green card, is a permanent residence card issued by the government of the People’s Republic of China to foreign citizens. It is a legal ID card for foreigners who have obtained permanent residence status to reside in China. Minors are issued with a valid certificate for 5 years, and adults are issued with a valid certificate for 10 years. The holder’s information and document issuance management information are stored in the chip at the same time, and can be retrieved using the second-generation resident ID card reader machine-readable zone.
 
Required materials:
 
When applying, the applicant must truthfully fill in the “Application Form for Permanent Residence of Foreigners in China” and submit the following materials:
 
1. A valid foreign passport or a document that can replace a passport;
 
2. A health certificate issued by a health quarantine department designated by the Chinese government or issued by a foreign health and medical institution certified by a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad;
 
3. A certificate of no criminal record abroad certified by a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad;
 
4. Four recent 2-inch front-facing barehead color photos;
 
5. Other relevant materials specified in these Measures.
 
Application conditions:
 
Foreigners applying for permanent residence in China shall abide by Chinese laws, be in good health, have no criminal record, and meet one of the following conditions:
 
1. Direct investment in China, stable investment for three consecutive years and good tax record;
 
2. Serving as deputy general manager, deputy factory director or above in China, or having associate professor, associate researcher or above, and enjoying the same treatment, having served for four consecutive years, having resided in China for a total of not less than three years within four years and having a good tax record;
 
3. Having made significant and outstanding contributions to China and being in special need of the country;
 
4. The first of this paragraph Spouses of persons referred to in the first, second and third items and their unmarried children under the age of 18;
 
5. Spouses of Chinese citizens or foreigners who have obtained permanent residence in China, whose marriage has lasted for 5 years, who have lived in China for 5 consecutive years, who have lived in China for no less than 9 months each year and have stable living security and residence;
 
6. Unmarried children under the age of 18 who live with their parents;
 
7. Those who have no direct relatives abroad and live with their direct relatives in China, and who are 60 years old or above, have lived in China for 5 consecutive years, who have lived in China for no less than 9 months each year and have stable living security and residence.
 
Notes:
 
1. The Chinese permanent residence ID card is a legal identity document for foreigners who have obtained permanent residence in China to reside in China, and can be used alone. It can be used directly to purchase air tickets, high-speed rail tickets, etc.
 
2. Foreigners who have obtained permanent residence in China do not need a visa and are not limited to the number of times when entering and leaving China, but they need to use the Chinese permanent residence ID card and passport at the same time. The permanent residence card is only an identity document in China, so you still need to provide your passport when you are abroad or involved in foreign affairs.
 
3. Foreigners who have obtained permanent residence in China do not need to confirm in advance whether hotels can accommodate them. They can also use their Chinese permanent residence ID cards to stay in hotels and must cooperate with the accommodation procedures. However, if you live or stay in other residences other than hotels, you still need to report temporary accommodation registration to the public security bureau of your place of residence within 24 hours after check-in. Those who fail to report accommodation registration to the public security bureau or accommodate foreigners who do not hold valid documents will be punished with warnings or fines in accordance with the law even if the foreigner obtains permanent residence in China.
 
4. The validity period of the Chinese permanent residence ID card is five or ten years, and you need to apply for a replacement within one month before the expiration of the certificate. If the certificate is damaged or lost, you need to apply for a replacement or reissue in time.
 
5. Foreigners who are approved for permanent residence in China must stay in China for no less than three months each year after obtaining permanent residence. If you cannot stay in China for three months each year due to actual needs, you must obtain approval from the Public Security Bureau of the province/autonomous region/municipality where you are staying for a long time, but the cumulative residence time in China must not be less than one year within five years. If you do not meet the residence time requirements, your Chinese permanent residence card may be cancelled.
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