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China

China

Passport rank
64
Visa-free countries
81
Residency
Yes
Citizenship
No

Acquisition: 3 months

Capital required: $ 500,000

Acquisition: -

Capital required: -

About China Citizenship and Residency

The Chinese “Green Card” is China’s permanent resident ID card, which allows foreigners to have a prolonged residence period compared to work visas.

In February 2020, the Chinese government released an Exposure Draft, containing several updates for the eligibility for applying for a green card. The new draft isn’t considerably different than the old regulations, but it does expand the eligibility prerequisites in order to ease the application process which is already pretty tiresome and strict.

China citizenship:

A series of conditions must be respected in order to properly apply for citizenship in China in 2022. For instance, you can obtain citizenship if you get married to a Chinese individual if you already live in China or have Chinese parents but living abroad. Here are other requirements to consider at the time the Chinese citizenship application is made:

 

  1. One must fill out a form offered by the Public Security Bureau, Entry & Exit Administration, with personal information and reasons for such application.
  2. Supporting documentation, such as a personal identification card, residence permit, etc. is required.
  3. One must prove Chinese language knowledge.
  4. An application fee must be paid when submitting the documents.
  5. The Ministry of Public Security will then analyze the citizenship application file and get back with an answer.

The citizenship application process in China starts with an important document and that is the Certificate for Permanent Residence in the People’s Republic of China. This can be issued if:

  •   You made significant investments in China.
  • You are a professional who works in China.
  • Being the spouse of a Chinese citizen.
  • Having direct relatives in China.

“Green Card” / permanent resident ID card:

  1. You must stay in China for a period, of at least 3 months per year.
  2. The validity period of the Green Card is ten years. After the validity period expires, you need to apply to the Immigration Bureau for a new card. The validity period of the Green Card for minors is five years.
  3. Must comply with Chinese laws.

Types of Permanent Residence:

  • Foreign Investor: Foreigners who meet one of the following conditions and have good tax records can apply for permanent residence in China:
  1. Investors who invest in China and have submitted a registered capital of more than 2 million U.S. dollars (shall not be lower than this standard for 3 consecutive years); 
  2. Investors who invest in Central China and have submitted a registered capital of more than 1 million U.S. dollars (shall not be lower than this standard for 3 consecutive years);
  3. Investors who invest in China’s western regions and key national poverty alleviation and development counties, and have submitted a registered capital of more than 500,000 U.S. dollars (shall not be lower than this standard for 3 consecutive years); 
  4.  Investors who invest in the “Foreign Investment Industry Guidance Project” encouraged by the State, and have submitted a registered capital of more than 500,000 U.S. dollars (shall not be lower than this standard for 3 consecutive years);
  5.  Investors who submit direct investment in Shanghai consistently as an individual or through the company as a controlling shareholder with individual status for three consecutive years, and whose total amount of investment reaches more than 1 million U.S. dollars (or 500,000 U.S. dollars for the “Foreign Investment Guideline Project” encouraged by the State.
  • Educational and occupational experience: a Ph.D. holder or an alumnus of an honored academic institution with a 3-year work experience in China; Have 3 years of experience working in key industries or fields that receive state support; Having worked in China for four/eight years with an annual income that is no less than four/six times than the average local salary respectively.
  • Level of talent and need: International talents who can make a great contribution to China’s economic and social development, or possess a skill especially needed by China.
  • Family relationship: Come to China to be with their family, married for at least five years, or dependents of Chinese citizens.
  • Recognized achievements: Foreign business professionals with internationally recognized contributions.

The foreign spouse and their unmarried children under 18 years old the above applicants can apply for permanent residence together.

UPDATE (September 20, 2023): China will issue an upgraded version of the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card from December 1, 2023, with design improvements and enhanced functionality. Key changes include a new design with a five-star element, advanced security features, an extended 18-digit card number, and increased functionality for managing personal affairs online. The new card does not invalidate the current one, and foreigners with permanent residence status will enjoy benefits like simplified administrative processes and enhanced overall experiences in China.

UPDATE (May 9, 2023): According to official information given by the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai Public Security Bureau (Shanghai Exit-Entry Bureau), starting May 1, 2023, two significant changes have been implemented for foreigners who apply for permanent residence as working staff (one category of people who are eligible for permanent residence application in Shanghai):
1) First, the annual salary and tax payment requirement has been increased.
2) Second, a non-criminal record in China is now required, in addition to the non-criminal record in their home countries.

The Benefits Of The China “Green Card” / permanent resident ID card

  • allows easy entry and exit into the country.
  • length of validity. Foreigners residing or doing business in China without a Chinese green card must renew their residence permit yearly.
  • can also be used separately as a legal certificate to stay in Beijing. 
  • work freely and be treated according to all Chinese labor laws.
  • same rights and responsibilities as Chinese citizens of the city they live in, regarding areas such as investment, buying housing, and education. 
  • can also be used as a form of identification when buying a train ticket or booking a hotel room.
  • It’s for a 10-year continuous stay and multiple entries.
  • If you got a China green card, your foreign spouse and child could apply for it as well.
  • You can bring a foreign personal housekeeper(maid) to Shanghai, and you can sponsor him/her to get an S1 visa (mark it as a personal affair )

However, Chinese Green Cards are not the equivalent of Chinese nationality. Holders of the Chinese Green Card do not have the right to vote, run for election, or serve in the military.

China Residency Requirements and Qualifications

Other requirements:

  • Must abide by Chinese laws
  • Must be in good health,
  • Have no criminal record
  • Have made significant contributions to China’s science and technology, education, health, culture or any other field of importance;
  • Live in China and have made contributions to China’s development of public welfare;
  • Have outstandingly contributed to promoting cooperation and friendly exchanges with China and foreign countries; and
  • Have contributed significantly to China’s economic and social development.

Primary documents needed for the permanent residence application:

  • Complete the Application Form for Permanent Residence in China;
  • A valid passport and valid visa (or resident permit);
  • A health certificate issued by a domestic entry-exit inspection and issued within the last six months;
  • Non-criminal record abroad of the applicant or the linear relative;
  • Company letters, licenses, and tax payment certificates when applying for the permanent residence card through employment;
  • Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or proof of kinship), as well as evidence of stable housing and income if the applicant is an accompanying family member;
  • Previous private passport and overseas permanent resident certificate if the applicant was once of Chinese nationality; and
  • If the applicant is a foreign investor – the business license, a capital verification report showing that the company’s registered capital has reached the standard, and an audit report showing this for the last three consecutive years is required.

Documents Required for Spouse:

(1) Complete the Application Form for Permanent Residence in China, and provide 2 copies of two-inch recent photos (Read the Notice for more details).

(2) Valid passport and valid visa (or residence permit), and provide 2 copies of each.

(3) Marriage certificate, and provide 2 copies of this. If this certification was issued abroad, verification from the Embassy/Consulate General of China is also needed, which has a validity of up to 6 months. Two copies of ID certifications used for marriage registration are also required.

(4) A Health check certificate was issued by a domestic entry-exit inspection and quarantine agency (or by foreign medical institutions verified by the Embassy /Consulate General of China), and provide 1 copy of this. The health certificate should be issued within the validity of the last 6 months.

(5) A Criminal Record/ Background check which shows no trace or history of any kind must be verified by the Embassy/Consulate General of China, and 1 copy should also be provided. The Record Check must be issued by the relevant national-level competent authority and shall specify the verification result of the applicant’s criminal record. The name on the Record Check must match that on the valid passport. In case the applicant has changed names, the former names should be noted in the Record, In case the applicant has lived in a country/region outside the passport-issuing country for successively two years or longer after he/she is 18 years old, a clear Criminal Record check from that country/region is also required. The Record(s) should be issued within the validity of the last 6 months (In case the duration of validity noted on the Record Check is less than 6 months, then the note on the Record Check shall prevail).

Documents Required for Children:

(1) Complete the Application Form for Permanent Residence in China, and provide 2 copies of two-inch recent photos (Read the Notice for more details).

(2) Valid passport and visa (or residence permit), and provide 2 copies of each.

(3) Birth Certificate (or parent-children relationship certificate, or adoption proof), and provide 2 copies of this. If the certification or proof was issued abroad, then verification by the Embassy/Consulate General of China is required.

(4) ID certificates of both parents, and provide 2 copies of each.

(5) Marriage certificate of parents and 2 copies of this (in case the parents have divorced, the principal applicant should provide valid sole-guardianship proof, such as a court verdict, etc.). If the certification was issued abroad, then verification by the Embassy/Consulate General of China is required.

(6) Nationality identification should be processed in the first place if one/both of the parents was/were of Chinese nationality when the child was born.

Steps And Timeline

Application process:

Applicants shall submit the primary documents as well as additional materials required to the Immigration Service Center of Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai Public Security Bureau, and the application will be processed within 90 working days (time for investigation is excluded if some items need to be investigated by the Public Security Bureau).

To get the permanent residence certificate the applicant should apply for a D visa at a Chinese embassy and acquire a Certificate of Permanent Residence of Aliens from the public security authority that has accepted the applications within 30 days of admission:

Visa Application:

Step 1. Check whether you need a visa

Step 2. Check which visa you need to get

  • Aliens granted permanent residence in China will be granted a Certificate of Permanent Residence of Aliens by the Ministry of Public Security. Whereas the applicant is abroad, the Ministry of Public Security will issue a Form of Conformation of Permanent Residence of Aliens, the applicant should go to the Chinese embassies or consulate offices to apply for a D visa on the strength of the Form, and obtain Certificate of Permanent Residence of aliens within 30 days upon entry from the public security authority that has accepted the applications.

Step 3. Prepare all documents needed

  • Be sure your documents meet all the requirements.

Step 4. Submit the application

  • Visit the Chinese embassy, consulate, or Chinese Visa Application Center (CVASC) which serves your residence area. You can show up in person or ask an agent to do this for you. In some consular offices and CVASCs, mail service is also available.
  • The normal processing time is four working days including the day you submit the application and the day you collect.

Step 5. Pay the fee and pick up your visa

  • Go to the place where you apply for a China visa on the date appointed on the pick-up slip. Pay the fee and you will get your passport back with a visa.

Step 6. Acquire a Certificate of Permanent Residence of Aliens from the public security authority.

Our Services

Privacy World offers its services to anyone, not only looking to obtain residency and/or citizenship processes but our experts figure out legal ways to:

  • Find the best solution for your needs.
  • Identify and deploy a strategy to help you accomplish your goals.
  • Activate our network of people in the country where you need help without having you search for the best solution or lawyer. We only work with licensed people in every country whom we carefully vet and pass the guidelines and principles of privacy we stand for.
  • Focus on cutting through the red tape and expediting your process.
  • Provide proper communication with you about your case.
    …. and above all: Offer you legal strategies to provide additional layers of privacy for your identity, while obtaining your residency or citizenship!

Privacy World can also help you with incorporating your company in China, assisting in getting you settled in the country, and coordinating with you so that this experience will be less of a hassle.

Want Privacy World to handle your case? Have any questions? Contact us!

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FAQ’s

No. China does not recognize dual nationality. Article 3 of China Nationality Law holds that the country will not admit the dual nationality of a Chinese citizen. Moreover, Article 9 of that law declares that as soon as a Chinese takes foreign citizenship, he will automatically lose his Chinese citizenship.

The validity of the Certificate of Permanent Residence of Aliens is five or ten years. Aliens aged under 18 years old being granted permanent residence should be issued Certificates of Permanent Residence of Aliens of five years. Aliens aged over 18 years granted permanent residence should be issued Certificates of Permanent Residence of Aliens of 10 years.

Yes. You must stay in China for a period, of at least 3 months per year.

Yes. Immediate family members will need to apply for a dependant visa.

Those who hold a valid Permanent Residence Card for Aliens of the People’s Republic of China may stay in China, and enjoy multiple entries and exits without a separate visa.

Yes. Permanents residency will be revoked or declared invalid if:

  1. likely to cause harm to national safety and interests;
  2. ordered by the people’s court to be expelled from the country;
  3. obtaining permanent residence in China by way of providing falsified materials and other illegal methods;
  4. accumulated stay in China in a year is less than three months or an accumulated stay in China in five years is less than one year, without permission.

Non-China-domiciled individuals who reside in China for less than 183 days in a tax year are considered non-residents for IIT purposes. Non-residents in general are subject to IIT on their China-sourced income only.

China-domiciled individuals and non-China-domiciled individuals who reside in China for 183 days or more in a tax year are considered residents for IIT purposes. Residents in general are subject to IIT on their worldwide income.

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