Chinese permanent residency: benefits & requirements

A lot of foreigners love the vitality of China, especially in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, which are full of creativity and opportunities. There is a constant stream of foreigners who wish to work, live, and realise their dreams in China. Many of them wish to apply for China permanent residency because of their job requirements. However, there are a number of requirements that need to be met in order for a foreigner to stay in China permanently.

For expats in China, sending money from China to your own country is another essential and pressing need. You can go to a traditional bank to make the transaction. Better yet, use Wise, an international money transfer, to transfer earnings out of China, and receive and convert money in a cheaper way.

Send money home using Wise today

Table of contents
Is there a permanent residence in China? How many types of long term residency permits are there in China? Benefits of having permanent Chinese residency Requirements to apply for a Chinese permanent residency Materials to apply for permanent residency in China Wise: A cheap and hassle-free way to transfer your earnings out of China!

Is there a permanent residence in China?

Yes, there is. Since 2004, China has formally established a system for the administration of permanent residence permits for foreigners¹. The China permanent residence status of foreigners is also known as the "China Green Card". (Now known as the China Five Star Card!) It makes it possible for foreigners to reside in China for extended periods of time without needing to deal with tedious annual visa applications.

How many types of long term residency permits are there in China?

In accordance with Chinese law, foreigners who invest in China or engage in economic, scientific and technological, or cultural co-operation with Chinese enterprises or institutions, or who have other needs for long-term residence in China, may, with the approval of the competent organs of the Chinese Government, be granted long-term residence or permanent residence status².

Long-term residence is mainly for people who come to China to study, work or invest in China and are granted visas and residence permits for multiple trips of one to five years³.

Permanent residence is another form of long term residence. There are two types of permanent residence. According to the Measures for the Administration of Approval of Foreigners' Permanent Residence in China⁴:

• Foreigners under the age of 18 who have been approved for permanent residence in China shall be issued with a permanent residence permit valid for five years.
• Foreigners over the age of 18 who have been approved for permanent residence in China shall be issued with a permanent residence permit valid for 10 years.

Benefits of having permanent Chinese residency

In 2012, the Measures for ‘Foreigners' Enjoyment of Relevant Treatment for Permanent Residence in China’ was issued and stipulates that foreigners who hold a permanent residence permit for foreigners in China shall, in principle, enjoy the same rights as Chinese nationals and bear the same obligations, except for their political rights and specific rights and obligations that are not permitted by the provisions of laws and regulations⁵.

Specifically, they are entitled to the following treatments⁵:

Category	Benefits
Duration of residence	There is no restriction on the duration of their stay in China, and they can enter and leave the country with their valid passports and permanent residence permits for foreigners without the need to apply for visas or other formalities. Their spouses and immediate family members may apply for visas, residence permits or permanent residence permits in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Entering and exiting China	Belongings for personal use entering or leaving the country are processed in accordance with the relevant customs regulations for settled travellers.
Employment in China	Exempt from applying for the Employment Certificate for Foreigners.
Priorities for professional title evaluation and certificate applications	If eligible, priority will be given to applying for Foreign Expert Certificates, Certificates for Experts Coming to China, and Residence Permits for Talents Working in Various Places. Permanent residents may participate in the evaluation of qualifications for professional and technical posts and the qualification examination for professional and technical personnel.
Entrepreneurship and investment	Foreign-invested enterprises may be established by way of technology shareholding or investment. Foreign direct investment may be made in China with legally acquired RMB. In the case of investment projects and the establishment of foreign-invested enterprises in China, the departments of development and reform, commerce, industry and commerce, and foreign exchange will simplify the approval and vetting procedures in accordance with the relevant provisions on the management of foreign investment, and improve efficiency.
Children’s education	The admission of children of permanent residents to the compulsory education stage is handled by the education administrative department of their place of residence in accordance with the principle of proximity to the nearest school. No fees other than those stipulated by the State are charged.
Social insurance	The Permanent Residence Permit for Foreigners may be used as a valid identity document for participation in social insurance: If they are employed in China, they shall participate in various social insurance programmes. If they reside in China but are not employed, and if they meet the regulations of the coordinating area, they may participate in basic medical insurance for urban residents and social pension insurance for urban residents. When handling procedures for the transfer, continuation and termination of social insurance relations, social insurance agencies simplify the process and provide convenience in accordance with the relevant provisions.
House-purchase	Commercial housing may be purchased in China for self-use and self-occupation in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Housing provident fund	Permanent residents may contribute to and use the housing provident fund at their place of work. When they leave the area, they can withdraw or transfer their housing fund.
Financial service	When conducting banking, insurance, securities and futures and other financial-related business in China, the Permanent Residence Permit for Foreigners can be used as a certificate of identity and enjoys the same rights, obligations and statistical attributions as those of a Chinese citizen.
Transportation & accommodation	With the Permanent Residence Permit for Foreigners: Purchase air tickets, train tickets and travel on domestic flights and trains in China. Handle Chinese hotel accommodation.
Driving license	They can enjoy the same treatment as Chinese citizens in applying for motor vehicle driving licences and in registering motor vehicles. If they meet the conditions for the exchange of driving licences, they may exchange their foreign motor vehicle driving licences for a People's Republic of China Motor Vehicle Driving Licence.
Consumption activities	Their consuming activities such as shopping, purchasing tickets for parks and various cultural and sports venues, and engaging in cultural, entertainment and business travel in China are treated equally and at the same price as those of Chinese citizens.
Sending earnings out of China	Income earned in China may be converted into foreign exchange and remitted abroad after paying taxes in accordance with the law and holding a tax certificate issued by the tax authorities for foreign payments.

Requirements to apply for a Chinese permanent residency

Foreign nationals must follow Chinese laws and regulations, be in good health, and have no criminal record in order to apply for permanent residence in China. In addition, they must either have made notable contributions to China's social and economic development or fulfill one of the following requirements⁶:

1. (I) The applicant has invested directly and steadily in China and has maintained a clean tax payment history for the past three years;

(II) The candidate is employed as 1) deputy general manager, 2) factory deputy director, or 3) someone with a professional associate senior title, such as associate researcher or associate professor; or has been receiving the equivalent salary in China for a minimum of four years in a row, and has lived in China for a total of three years within a four-year period while maintaining a clean tax record;

(III) Those who have made significant and outstanding contributions to China as well as those whose talents are in special need by China.

(IV) The spouses of the persons referred to in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) and their unmarried children under the age of 18;

(V) Spouses of Chinese citizens or foreigners who have been granted permanent residence status in China, whose marriages have lasted for five years, who have resided in China for five consecutive years, who have resided in China for not less than nine months each year, and who have stable livelihood security and residence;

(VI) Unmarried children under the age of 18 who come to join their parents;

(VII) Those who are 60 years of age or older, who have lived in China for five years straight, who spend at least nine months there annually, who depend on their immediate family members in China and have no relatives outside of China, and who have a stable source of income and place to live.

Materials to apply for permanent residency in China

To apply for permanent residence in China, the applicants shall:

1. Valid foreign passport
2. Certificate of No Criminal Record
3. Health Certificate
4. Submit the supporting materials required for each type of applicant⁵.

Wise: A cheap and hassle-free way to transfer your earnings out of China!

While you are planning on a Chinese permanent residency, you can use Wise to send money from China to your family or loved ones in another country whenever needed. Wise makes it possible to transfer your legal earnings out of China to 160+ countries, with a maximum amount of 100,000 CNY per transaction. In a few seconds on your Wise app or online, it is done.

It is cheap to send money, receive money, or convert money with Wise, as it makes the transaction at the fair mid-market rate and a small upfront conversion fee. All you need to do is have a Wise multi-currency account. Then, you can select from 40+ currencies to hold or convert, from CNY, GBP to EUR, HKD, etc. Get access to the best international money transfer app by joining the 16 million users that use Wise globally!

*This service is provided in partnership with a licensed third-party payment provider in China.

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Source：

1. China Government Website: Administrative Measures for the Approval of Foreigners' Permanent Residence in China
2. Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council (OCAO): Law of the People's Republic of China on Control of the Entry and Exit of Aliens
3. China Government Website: What are the types of residence of foreigners in China?
4. Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council (OCAO): What is the difference between the five-year and ten-year validity of China's Permanent Residence Permit for Foreigners?
5. Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council (OCAO): What are the benefits for foreigners with a Chinese "green card"?
6. National Immigration Administration: Guidelines for Approval of Foreign Nationals' Eligibility for Permanent Residence in China