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The Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People's Republic of China, commonly known as the "China Green Card", is a "legal identity document for foreigners who have obtained permanent residence status in China to stay in China." The certificate is valid for up to 10 years and can be renewed.
Starting from March 28th 2020, China has released entry ban for foreign nationals, but China Permanent Residence ID card holders are not affected. We have received quite a lot of inquiries about China Green Card application. Today, let’s see how to apply for China Green Card?
Permanent Residence for Special Talents
Terms for Application
1. World-class talents, special skilled professionals or celebrities who have made significant and outstanding contributions to national economic development and social progress or who have great value to the country;
2. Foreigners who meet the criteria of high-level talent as set by Shanghai Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone or China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (call "Double Zones") and are recommended by the Administration Committee of Double Zones;
3. Core members of research teams recommended and guaranteed by foreign leading experts or pioneering researchers who have been introduced by double zones and recognized by the Administration Committee of Double Zones.
Foreign people who meet one of the above conditions can apply for permanent residence in China.
The foreign spouse and unmarried children under 18 years old of the above foreign applicants can apply for permanent residence together.
Permanent Residence for Couples Reunion
Terms for Application
1. Those people who are married to a Chinese citizen (having registered Chinese permanent citizenship), or to a foreigner who has the qualification for permanently staying in China can apply for permanent residence in China, if they meet all of the following four requirements;
2. They have been married for 5 years;
3. They have lived in China for 5 consecutive years and staying in mainland China for no less than 9 months every year and have stable life security and accommodations in China.
Proof of financial security is applicant's or their spouse's Certification of Deposit in domestic banks of no less than RMB 200,000 (The freezing period must be more than 6 months after the application date), and this should be verified by a notary office. If the deposit is under the name of applicant's spouse, the declaration that the spouse is willing to guarantee security should be notarized and submitted as well.
The proof of financial sources is the proof of pension of the applicant or the applicant's spouse. If it was issued abroad, verification by the Embassy/Consulate General of China is required. If such proof is owned by the applicant's spouse, the declaration that the spouse is willing to guarantee security should be notarized and submitted. The proof and the notarization should both be issued within 6 months before the application date.
Foreigners who meet the above three conditions can apply for permanent residence in China.
Permanent Residence for Foreign Investors
Terms for Application
1. Investors who invest in China and have actually 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 actually 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 actually 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 “Foreign Investment Industry Guidance Project” encouraged by the State, and have actually 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.
Foreigners who meet one of the above conditions and have good tax records can apply for permanent residence in China.
Permanent Residence for Working Staffs
Terms for Application
3. Those who have worked in Shanghai continuously for 4 years;
2. With an annual salary income (before tax) exceeding RMB600,000, and have paid annual individual income tax exceeding RMB120,000, and stay in mainland China for no less than 6 months every year in these 4 years;
3. With the present employer's recommendation.
4. Foreigners who meet the above three conditions can apply for permanent residence in China.
The foreign spouse and unmarried children under 18 years old of the above foreign applicants can apply for permanent residence together.
Permanent Residence for Overseas Chinese with Ph. Degrees
Terms for Application
Those overseas Chinese who have Ph. degrees and currently work in Shanghai can apply for permanent residence in China.
The foreign spouse and their unmarried children under 18 years old of the above applicants can apply for permanent residence together.
Permanent Residence for Excellent Foreign Graduates
Terms for Application
1. Foreign graduates from key domestic universities (on the List of World-Class Universities and First-Class Disciplines ("Double First-Class" initiative) released by the Ministry of Education) or well-known overseas universities [top 300 universities on Shanghai Ranking's Academic Ranking of World Universities (originally compiled and issued by Shanghai Jiao Tong University)]
2. Who were engaged in innovative entrepreneurship in Shanghai with a residence permit for private affairs (marked "entrepreneurship") within 2 years after graduation,
3. Became employed by eligible Shanghai organizations [① organizations in "Double Zones" or "Double Innovation" Areas; or ② organizations on the list of Shanghai scientific & technological innovative occupations formulated by the Shanghai scientific and technological innovation authorities; or ③ universities or scientific research institutes in Shanghai] during those 2 years and worked there for three consecutive years；
4. Have good records of work performance, tax payment, and social credit may apply for permanent residence in China；
5. With the recommendation of the organizations.
Excellent foreign graduates who meet the above five conditions can apply for permanent residence in China.
What Benefits the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card Will Bring to You?
In principle, same rights and same obligations as Chinese citizen except political rights and those specified right not permitted by law.
1. There are no restrictions on the duration of stay in China as long as the permit is valid.
2. Children will be eligible for relevant education policies if they meet the requirements.
3. The Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card holders can apply for the social insurance as China citizens.
4. The Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card could be used to book air ticket, boarding, buying railway ticket or check in a hotel.
Interested in applying for China Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card? Feel free to contact with us for support.
In order to better introduce the process and matters related to foreigners entering Hefei China, iReloChina takes "foreigners entering Hefei from Germany" as an example to introduce the whole process.
Frist Step：Prepare for Visa
Situation1: who have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines produced in China.
Foreigners visiting the mainland of China for resuming work and production in various fields need only to provide the documents required before the COVID-19 when applying for a visa. The Invitation Letter issued by the foreign affairs offices or the departments of commerce of the provincial (including autonomous regions and municipalities) governments or the headquarters of central state-owned enterprises are no longer required.
The scope of applicants eligible for applying for a visa out of emergency humanitarian needs will be expanded as appropriate. Foreign family members of Chinese citizens or permanent residents of China, including spouse, parents, children and other close relatives living together (referring to siblings, grandparents and grandchildren), may submit visa applications for the purposes of reuniting withfamily, taking care of the elderly, visiting relatives, attending funerals orvisiting critically ill relatives.
Holders of valid APEC business travel cards may apply for the M visa by presenting the original valid APEC business travel card and the invitation letter issued by the inviting party inthe mainland of China.
Situation 2: who haven’t been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines produced in China.
Holders of valid Chinese residence permits (work, personal affairs, and group residence permits) can apply for a visa to China at the Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Germany freeand no need to provide the invitation letter.
Foreigners who go to China to engage in economic and trade, science & technology, culture, education, sports and other activities must still provide an invitation letter issued bythe provincial competent authority of China to apply for a visa at the Chinese embassy in Germany.
Step 2：Preparation for Boarding/ Nucleic acid test and Serology IgManti-body test
Starting from November 6, 2020, all passengers bound for China from Germany will be required to take nucleic acid test and Serology IgM anti-body test and apply for a green health code with the "HS" mark or a certified Health Declaration Form (HDF) before boarding. In order to minimize the risk of cross infection during the journey, the Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Germany remind passengers in Germany to take direct flights to China.
Test Time
Passengers must take nucleic acid and IgM anti-body tests at a testing institution in the Germany within 48 hours before boarding.
Institutions for the tests
At present, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Germany have not designated any labor institutions for the tests. Nucleic acid testing and IgM antibody testing can be carried out in different testing institutions, but the two testing institutions should be in the same consular area, otherwise the application will not be submitted.
Test Requirements
Nucleic acid test:
1. The nucleic acid test must be PCR test, and TMA test is not accepted;
2. Sampling: Rachenabstrich or Nasenabstrich.
Ig Mantibody test:
1. Samplingwas done by venous blood;
2. Thetest certificates shall contain the following information, such as the status of IgM antibodies, Venous blood collection and test method. The nucleic acidtest report and serum antibody test report should be clearly marked with the name of the tested person, the name and address of the doctor or testing institution, testing items, sampling time, sampling method, testing method,etc.
Version of the test certificate:
The resultcan be paper version or electronic version. The key information such as personal name, birthday, collection date and test result on the certificate isinvalid by handwritten.
Obtain the certified Health DeclarationForm (HDF)
All foreign passengers who are flying from Germany to China will be required to present the Electronic Health Declaration Form for boarding. Foreign passengers can apply for the Electronic Health Declaration Form by logging on the website of http://hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5/via computer or smart phone. Foreign passengers can fill in the information, declare the health status and upload the testing certificates online, which will then be examined and verified by the Chinese Embassy.
Necessary documents for Electronic Health Declaration Form:
1. Passport
2. Airticket
3. Valid Chinese Visa or Valid Chinese Residence Permit
4. German visa or German residence permit or registration certificate (travelers fromnon-EU countries)
5. Negative test results from nucleic acid and IgM antibody tests within 48 hours prior to departure for China.
6. The vaccinated must also present the vaccination certificate or upload it with the following information. These must contain the following information: name, gender, date of birth, name of the vaccine, date and place of the first andsecond vaccination, signature and address of the vaccination agency.
Upon approval, they will receive the Electronic Health Declaration Form, which willbe displayed in QR code with the “HDC” mark. Foreign passengers must presentthe electronic or printed code, and follow the procedures for inspection byrelevant airlines during boarding.
Reminders:
1. Passengers going to China must take nucleic acid and IgM anti-body tests within 48 hours before boarding.
2. Please make the reservation for IgM antibody test as soon as possible.
3. According to Frankfurt Airport the test facilities in the transit area (Test Center,non-Schengen area, Terminal 1/ Consourse Z /Gate Z12) are currently available for passengers bound for China Mainland on Lufthansa only. Please check your testing affairs with Lufthansa.
4. There be a direct flight connection between the country of departure and China. The Chinese Embassy and consulate in the originating country will not issue green codes for their transfer from a third country.
| Test Center | Location | Offered Covid-19 Tests | Suitable crowd |
| Test Center Medical Center |
Terminal 1 Consourse A/ Arrivals |
PCR and IgM antibody | For passengers taking direct flights to China |
| Test Center Centogene |
Terminal 1/ Next to Train Station |
PCR | For passengers taking direct flights to China |
5. Please make sure that people living in Germany fly to China by direct flights. The Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Germany will not issue a green code for passengers from Germany to a third country.
6. The travelers from acountry without a direct flight connection with China only fly to China via Germany (such transit passengers must have the green QR codes issued by Chinese diplomatic missions in the country of departure and prove this QR code with the required documents.
7. In principle, the Embassy and Consulate in Germany only issue "green codes" to transit passengers to China through Germany. If the passenger has transferred before coming to Germany, the embassy and consulate in Germany will not issue the "green code" for transfer.
The example of green QR-Code with HDC
Airport entry process diagram
Arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Inspection
Submit health application form, do the second inspection and body temperature test at frontier inspection office.
Go to the temporary transfer area for the firstnucleic acid test (free)
Assign the hotel and take the shuttle bus to the hotel
Quarantine Policy
Forinbound passengers whose destination is Shanghai：
After arival in Shanghai, passengers should have 14 days centralized qurantine in Shanghai. After the quarantine is lifted, please obtain the quarantine lift certificate, which will be an important certificate for your travel in China.
For inbound passengers who plan their trip to Hefei:
After 14 days of centralized qurantine in Shanghai, foreigners can buy train tickets to Hefei and take the high-speed railway to Hefei, which generally takes only 2-3 hours.
Before they depart from Shanghai, they will also need to report their itinerary to residential community center in advance, including: identity information, arrival date, flight number to Shanghai and train number to Hefei, detail of quarantine situation, address in Hefei, employment contact information.
Now, Hefei does not require inbound passengers to do further quarantine anymore, but they will still need to cooperate with epidemic prevention to do 3 nucleic acid tests on the 1st, 7th and 14th day after they arrive in Hefei. The epidemic prevention stuff will help with the first 2 times and foreigners need to go to the testing site by themselves to do the 3rd time test.
After inbound passengers arrive at Hefei to get their mobile number, they can apply for Anhui Health Code in “Wanshitong” App, which is very important for them to move around in the city. For foreign personnel, they can only apply it through the App now,“Wanshitong” also has Alipay access and WeChat mini program, but for this moment they only open the access to Chinese ID number.
Q&A about Qurantine
Q：Can I choose quarantine at home?
A：Normally 14 days centralized quarantine at landing city is needed. The details are subject to the local isolation policy and on-site coordination after arrival.
Q：Can I choose quarantine hotel?
A：The hotel is subject to the staff assignment on the day of arrival in Shanghai (Sometimes you may be able to choose between two price ranges, or choose which district/area to live in, but this depends on the arrangement of the arrival in Shanghai on the day). If you are carrying family members & children and need a large suite or want several family members to live in the same room, you need to explain the situation to the airport staff. If feasible, the airport staff will give priority to the arrangement; However, under normal circumstances, the hotel can not meet the requirements of multiple family members living in the same room. Therefore, each adult is usually arranged to carry 1-2 children to live alone.
Q：What is the price of Shanghai quarantine hotel?
A：Generally, the price is between RMB200-500 per night, and the meal cost is calculated separately, generally RMB100/day.
Q：When staying in a segregated hotel, can spouse, couples, and good friends share the same room?
A：In order to avoid cross-infection, it is not allowed to be in one room, you cancommunicate with the staff for details.
Q：How to pay for the quarantine hotel?
A：You can use cash, WeChat, Alipay and domestic credit cards. Overseas credit cards sometimes do not work with quite many hotels. It is suggested to bring cash in advance (about RMB 10000 per person).
Q：Can I order takeout during quarantine?
A：From April 1st, takeout food usually is not allowed to bring in.
Q：Can the quarantine Hotel accept express delivery?
A：Generally, it's OK, but it's due to prevention and control (packaging and disinfection, manpower arrangement, delivery to the door of each room) and other reasons.Some hotels will have restrictions on the number of express deliveries, depending on the regulations of the hotel.
Q：Will someone clean the room during quarantine?
A：No one will come into your room to clean during the 14 days quarantine period.
Q：On the day after the end of the quarantine period, what time can I leave the quarantine hotel?
A：It depends on the regulations of the quarantine hotel. Please consult the staff of the hotel for details.
Visa requirements and conditions vary depending on the type of visa applied for, but for all those type of visas below, you have to present the standard visa requirements which are:
Original passport with at least 3 blank visa page and valid for at least 6 months.
Passport photocopy.
Completely filled visa application form and a recent photo sticked on it.
The original and the photocopy of the proof of legal stay or residence status such as certificate of residence,employment, student, or other legal status in your country.
A photocopy of previous Chinese passeport or Chinese visas if you had one.
Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice and expats should contact their nearest embassy or consulate for the latest information.
Here are some informations and the additional requirements of each type of visa.
If you want to work in China for more than six months, you should ask for this type of visa. You can ask for a business visa in the embassy or in the Chinese consulate of your home country. This is a single entry visa and allows you to stay in China for 30 days and you must transfer Z visa to Residence permit in the police station during this period. It is mandatory to ask for a work permit in China because you won’t be allowed to work only with your work visa.
Documents required :
The original foreign employment permit and invitation letter.
An original invitation letter by Duly Authorized Unit. The host company will obtain it from a local government agency.
Foreign experts license issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts.
Delivred to foreigners who want to go to China for commercial and trade activities. This type of visa is generally limited to stays of 30-60 days. Applicants that have already obtained this visa before more than twice in two years and have a certificate of investment in China or a business licence, are allowed to apply for a multiple-entry M visa which is valid for six or 12 months.
Documents required :
The business license of the applicant or the commercial register.
A round-trip air ticket.
The hotel reservation or an accommodation certificate in China.
Business letter from the company in your country addressed to the Consulate of China, visa section. This should include the employment status held in the company, the reason of the travel, and a proof of sufficient funds.
Business invitation from the company in China addressed to the Consulate of China, visa section. This should contain: Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc., details of planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, places to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures) and information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)
There are two types of Dependent visa: Q1 and Q2.
The first one is issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for a long-term family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purposes of foster care (intended duration of stay in China exceeding 180 days). Q1 visa is issued for single-entry only
The second one is issued to those who intend to visit relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China; the intended duration of stay is limited to 120 days per visit. Q2 is usually issued for multiple-entry. Only expats who hold a US passport can have a multiple-entry up to 10 years.
For family reunion:
An invitation letter from a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent resident permit who lives in China. This letter should contain: personal information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.), details of planned visit (purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence internded duration of residence, arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures).
Information on the invitating individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc).
A photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit.
Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members (spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters…) between applicant and inviting individual.
For foster care:
Foster entrustment notarization issued by Chinese embassies/Consulates General in foreign countries or Foster Care Power of Attorney notarized and authenticated in the country of residence or in China.
Original and photocopy of the consignor's passport(s), as well as the original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) notarized and authenticated certification showing the relationship between parents or guardians and children.
A letter of consent on foster care issued by the trustee living in China who has agreed to provide foster care services and a photocopy of the ID of the trustee.
Residence certificate: A photocopy of the certificate indicating the permanent residence status abroad of the parent(s) when the child was born, provided that either or both parents of the child are Chinese citizens.
Documents required for the Q2 visa:
An invitation letter from a Chinese citizen of a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China.This invitation letter should contain: information of the applicant (name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc), details of planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures), information on the inviter (full name, contact number, address, signature, etc.)
A photocopy of the Chinese ID or the foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting individual.
There are two types of Private Visa. The intended duration of stay in China of the S1 visa exceeds 180 days and is issued for single-entry only while the S2 visa is granted as 30 – 90 days per visit and is issued for multiple-entry. Only expats who hold a US passport can have a multiple-entry up to 10 years.
S1 and S2 visas are issued to those who intend to go to China in order to visit “immediate family member” (spouses, parents, sons, daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law…) working or studying in China or to the foreigners who intend to go to China for other private affairs. With this type of visa, the intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days and is issued for single-entry only. The applicant can apply for the residence permit in the Police station in order to obtain multiple entry visa.
Documents required:
An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains: information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.), details of planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place of intended residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.), and information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc).
A photocopy of passport and residence permit of the Foreign inviter.
Original and photocopy of the certificate of relationship between applicant and inviter such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, or certificate of kinship.
There are two types of student visas. X1 is issued to those who
intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days, while X2 visa is issued for those who intend to study in China for a period of less than 180 days.
Documents required:
The original and a photocopy of the admission letter submitted by the Chinese institution you will be studying at.
A proof of funds.
A round-trip air ticket.
The visa holder should submit an application of permanent residence in the nearest public security administration office during the next 30 days after his arrival in the Chinese territory.
This type of visa is issued for tourist visits to China. You will normally have a single-entry visa which is generally valid for 90 days. Multiple-entry visas can be valid for 6, 12 or 24 months. Only expats who hold a US passport can have a multiple-entry up to 10 years.
Documents required:
A Proof of itinerary: flight booking and hotel reservation.
A Proof of funds.
An invitation letter and a copy of the inviter's Chinese ID. This letter should contain: Information of the applicant (name, gender, date of birth, passport number), details of planned visit: arrival and departure date, tourism destination, financial source for expenditures, information of inviter (name, contact number, address, signature).
An official signed and stamped Invitation Letter for Tourist issued by Duly Authorized Tourism Unit in China can be used in place of the hotel reservation if your travel is organized by a tour group in China
