The government has revamped the permanent residency card scheme to help lure more skilled staff from overseas to the mainland
The government has revamped the permanent residency card scheme to help lure more skilled staff from overseas to the mainland
Photo：SCMP
Who can apply for one?
Skilled foreigners in high-level positions in government departments or laboratories involved in “key national projects” in China can apply for permanent residency. They must have worked in the post for four years and have a tax record covering at least three years
Foreigners investing at least US$500,000 in western China or poorer regions, US$1 million in central China or US$2 million in other areas for at least three consecutive years are also qualified to apply for Chinese green cards.
People who have made a significant contribution to China are eligible for the scheme. People married to Chinese citizens for five years can also apply.
Photo：CGTN
Children of successful applicants or their relatives aged over 60 can apply to join them on the mainland.
Under a directive released last year by the State Council, foreigners working in a greater range of fields, including national laboratories, engineering research centres, technology centres of state-accredited hi-tech companies and foreign-funded research and development centres are now eligible for permanent residency, too.
What are the benefits of having a Chinese green card?
Photo:IBTimes
One major benefit is holders can stay in China without having to renew their visa every year.
Green card holders receive the same rights as Chinese citizens in areas such as investment, buying housing and education.
China will replace green cards issued to foreigners with “smart card” versions beginning in July as part of the government’s push to improve its imported talent scheme, state media reported.
Under the new directive from the Ministry of Public Security, which is in charge of residence affairs in China, holders of foreigners’ permanent residence cards can apply to renew the current permits with a new one embedded with a readable chip that contains identity information, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
The card can be swiped at various government agencies and institutions, making it easier and faster for foreigners to carry out tasks such as buying train tickets in the auto machine and the online system.
To ensure the new system is implemented without a glitch, training will be carried out by the end of June for staff at government agencies as well as railways, airports, banks, insurance companies and hotels, the official told Xinhua.
How do you apply for one?
Photo:BlogTAI
Qualified applicants submit applications to the public security authorities in China.
Documents, including passports, marriage certificates, employment letters, tax bills and foreign investment certificates can be required during the application process.
Applicants living abroad can file an initial application to Chinese embassies and submit a full application to the public security authorities after arriving in China.
Usually it takes six months to review an application. However, local governments are now trying to speed up the process. For example, in Shanghai, it can take only 90 days to issue a green card.
How long is the card valid?
China issues two types of green cards to foreigners, valid for 10 years for adults and five years for minors.
Holders can apply to renew their green cards and there is no need to submit extra documentation if their status remains the same.
Can a Chinese green card be revoked?
The public security authorities have the right to revoke the permanent residency of any foreigner who endangers Chinese national security or is expelled from China by Chinese courts. People who falsify documents to apply for a card or are absent from China over eight months a year, or four out of five years, could also face having their green cards revoked.
Source:SCMP
