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Immigrant Visa & HR - China

Question

Q&A Regarding Foreign Permanent Residence Permit

Answer
Q: What is the Foreign Permanent Residence Permit?
A: Foreign Permanent Residence Permit is a legal identity certificate for foreigners who have obtained permanent residence in China to stay in China. The permanent residence of foreigners in China means that the period of foreigners’ residence in China is not restricted. Foreigners who have obtained permanent residence in China can enter and leave China with a valid passport and the Foreign Permanent Residence Permit.

Q:
What conditions should foreigners meet in order to apply for Foreign Permanent Residence Permit?
A:
Foreigners applying for Foreign Permanent Residence Permit in China should abide by Chinese laws, be healthy, have no criminal record, and fulfil one of the following conditions:
1. Direct investment in China, stable investment situation for 3 consecutive years and good tax payment record;
2. Served as deputy general manager, deputy factory director or above in China, or have associate professor, associate researcher, and other deputy senior titles or above, and enjoy the same treatment, have served for 4 consecutive years, in which have stayed in China for at least 3 years within the consecutive 4 years and have good tax payment record;
3. Major and outstanding contributions to China and special needs of China;
4. The spouse and unmarried children under the age of 18 of the persons mentioned in the first, second and third items of this paragraph;
5. Spouses of Chinese citizens or foreigners who have obtained permanent residency in China, have been in marriage for 5 years, have resided in China for 5 consecutive years with each year’s residence in China for not less than 9 months, and have stable living security and domicile;
6. Unmarried children under the age of 18 as the dependants of their parents;
7. Those who do not have direct relatives abroad, are living with China domestic immediate family members, and are at least 60 years old, have continuously resided in China for 5 years with each year’s residence in China for not less than 9 months and have stable living security and domicile.
The years mentioned above refer to the consecutive years before the application date.

Q:
What documents do foreigners need to provide for applying for the Permanent Residence Permit?
A:
1. Application Form for Foreign Permanent Residence in China;
2. Valid passport and visa;
3. A health certificate issued by the health and quarantine department designated by the Chinese government or by foreign health care institution certified by Chinese embassy or consulate abroad;
4. Non-criminal Record legalized by China Embassy or consulate in the foreign country
5. 2 pieces of passport-size colour photos and 1 digital photo;
6. Other relevant documents.

Q:
How long does it take for foreigners to apply for Permanent Residence Permit?
A:
The public security organ shall decide of approval or disapproval within 6 months from the date of accepting the foreigner’s application for permanent residence in China.

Q:
For foreigners who have obtained Permanent Residence Permit, what are the requirements for the length of stay in China?
A:
Foreigners who are approved for permanent residence in China must stay in China for at least 3 months each year. Those who cannot reside in China for cumulative 3 months each year due to actual needs must be approved by the public security department or bureau of the province, autonomous region, or municipality where the permanent residence is located, but the accumulative residence in China shall not be less than 1 year within 5 years.

Q:
Hong long is the Foreign Permanent Residence Permit valid?
A:
The validity period of Foreign Permanent Residence Permits is 5 or 10 years.
For foreigners under the age of 18 who are approved for permanent residence in China, the validity period of Foreign Permanent Residence Permit is 5 years; while, for foreigners over 18 years of age, the validity period of Foreign Permanent Residence Permit is 10 years.

Q:
Do I have to apply for the extension/renewal of my Foreign Permanent Residence Permit before its expiry?
A:
Yes. Foreigners who hold Foreign Permanent Residence Permits should apply for a renewal one month before the expiration of the permit.

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