The Chinese citizenship process is straightforward, with simple and fast formalities. However, the Chinese government is quite selective when it comes to foreigners who apply for citizenship and solicit their rights in this country. Legal advice and support can be provided by our immigration lawyers in China for those interested in Chinese citizenship.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Nationalities accepted | All |
|
Law regarding the Chinese citizenship |
Chinese Nationality Law |
|
Dual nationality |
Not accepted |
| Can the Chinese nationality be restored? (Yes/No) |
Yes, it is possible to recover Chinese nationality after it has been lost. |
| Who is in charge with citizenship applications in China? |
Ministry of Public Security |
| Who does approve/dismiss the citizenship applications of foreigners? |
Local Public Security Bureaus |
| Requirements to obtain Chinese citizenship |
– fill out the form; – provide supporting documents; – prove knowledge of Chinese knowledge |
| Citizenship application processing time |
6 months |
| Methods for obtaining citizenship in China |
Through: – employment, – study, – marriage, – long-term residence in China etc. |
| Is knowledge of language necessary to obtain citizenship in China? (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Benefits to obtain Chinese citizenship |
– medical assistance, – housing, – pensions, – unemployment insurance, – other social welfare benefits |
| Personal income tax rate |
– 3% for income up to CNY3,000; – 10% for income between CNY3,001 and 12,000; – 20% for income between CNY12,001 and 25,000; – 25% for income between CNY25,001 and 35,000; – 30% for income between CNY35,001 and 55,000; – 35% for income between CNY55,001 and 80,000; – 45% for income over CNY80,000 |
| Is permanent residence certificate required for citizenship? (Yes/No) |
Yes |
| How can you 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. |
| When should I pay the fee for citizenship? | While submitting the documents for citizenship application |
| Criminal record solicited for citizenship application (YES/NO) | YES |
|
Chinese citizenship through marriage |
Gained through the naturalization process |
|
Chinese citizenship by descent |
Granted if at least one parent is Chinese |
| Citizenship for children born in China from parents without citizenship | They can become Chinese citizens if their parents live in China. |
| Birthright citizenship (jus soli) |
Not provided |
| Restoring Chinese citizenship (YES/NO) |
YES |
| Applying for citizenship outside China |
Through embassies and consulates |
| Chinese citizenship for minors |
The parents or tutors can make the application. |
| Dual citizenship permitted (YES/NO) |
NO |
| Applicable immigration policies | Different immigration policies in China, Hong Kong and Macau |
| What happens to Chinese citizens who acquire foreign nationality? |
They lose their Chinese citizenship. |
| Chinese passport ranking |
Ranked 61st on the Guide Passport Index |
| Visa-free access |
Around 82 countries |
| Visa on arrival with a Chinese passport |
In countries like Thailand, Saudia Arabia, the UAE |
| Why work with our lawyers in China | We have experience in citizenship cases and we can help foreigners gain this status by managing the procedures. |
Table of Contents
Eligibility criteria for Chinese citizenship in 2024
A series of conditions must be respected in order to apply for citizenship in China in 2024 properly. China is over-populated, which complicates the process of obtaining citizenship even more. 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:
- One must fill out a form offered by the Public Security Bureau, Entry & Exit Administration, with personal information and reasons for such application.
- Supporting documentation, such as a personal identification card, residence permit, etc. is required.
- A document verifying the presence of a steady source of income is solicited.
- One must prove Chinese language knowledge.
- An application fee must be paid when submitting the documents.
- 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.
- You are the spouse of a Chinese citizen.
- You have direct relatives in China.
Also, the criminal record will be verified by the Chinese authorities prior to the naturalization process. One of our lawyers in China can offer comprehensive assistance and legal advice to foreigners interested in Chinese citizenship in 2024 and also the Chinese passport. It is quite recommended to benefit from legal support and understand the formalities, including for Hong Kong dual nationality or China-US dual citizenship, for instance.
You are invited to watch a video presentation we have prepared on this topic:
Chinese Citizenship through marriage
Chinese citizenship can also be obtained through marriage. This is a simple naturalization process, and foreigners who want to get married to a Chinese citizen are suggested to talk to an advisor and ask for support in matters of documents. This process involves a series of conditions, among which, living in the country for at least 5 years, married with a Chinese citizen. If you are interested in applying for Chinese citizenship through marriage in 2024, the services of our lawyers in China are at your disposal.
According to Article 16 of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, applications for naturalization in China and renunciation or restoration of Chinese nationality are subject to specific scrutiny made by the Ministry of Public Security of China. A certificate is issued by the Ministry of Public Security in China to any person with an approved application.
Chinese citizenship by descent
According to The National Law of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese citizenship by descent is offered only if ancestry is proven. In this case, the legislation does not recognize the place of birth.
- Nationality Law in China mentions that foreign citizens who have Chinese descent and can prove it are eligible for Chinese citizenship by descent.
- There is an exception, according to Article 5: a person whose parents are Chinese nationals and have both settled abroad and who has attained foreign nationality at birth cannot acquire Chinese citizenship.
- If one of the Chinese parents is settled abroad and the child is born in a foreign country and obtains foreign nationality at birth, then the child cannot have Chinese nationality even if it is clear that the child comes from Chinese descent.
Minor children with at least one Chinese parent are eligible for Chinese citizenship, regardless of the country where they were born. It is important to mention that children born abroad and having the nationality of the parents in that country are not considered Chinese citizens and cannot be part of the Chinese nationality application.
China-US dual citizenship
Another special case of citizenship in China involves American citizens. In this case, Americans who obtain Chinese citizenship are not obliged to give up their original one. On the other hand, China does not recognize US citizenship. In this situation, China-US dual citizenship is a special case because citizens who obtain Chinese nationality can enter China with a passport issued by the local authorities, and in the US with an American passport. You can learn more about China-US dual citizenship from our lawyers. Moreover, our Chinese visa agent can guide those interested in relocation in terms of formalities and legal procedures. We can tell you more about dual citizenship in China.
Hong Kong dual nationality
Hong Kong is a special administrative region in China, with over 7.4 million inhabitants and local laws. When it comes to Hong Kong dual nationality, the region is guided by the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China. This means that people who receive Chinese citizenship in Hong Kong must give up their current one. In other words, just like China, Hong Kong does not allow dual citizenship. On the other hand, a Hong Kong passport is issued upon obtaining citizenship. In this case, we are talking about foreign citizens who have residency in Hong Kong and who obtain citizenship and benefit from the issuance of a passport in this special administrative region. We remind you, however, that the citizenship process in China is quite complicated and that the authorities weigh each application very carefully before granting the nationality of this country. Please talk to us if interested in the Chinese passport application.
Getting the Chinese passport
The Chinese passport is issued upon obtaining citizenship through marriage, by descent, or after having permanent residence in China, to name a few paths. According to the Passport Index, the Chinese passport is in the 54th place in the list of the most powerful documents of this kind in the world. The authorities for immigration in China analyze in detail the applications for citizenship and will consider whether the respective candidates have paid taxes in China and whether they are of good character. The next step, after Chinese citizenship approval, is the issuance of a Chinese passport. We recommend those interested in Chinese passport renewal to contact our lawyers for legal advice.
About the population of China in a few lines
According to Worldometers.info and the data provided for 2024, China has a population of over 1.4 billion citizens, but the country is facing rapid aging. Here are other important aspects of the Chinese population:
- At the moment, China represents over 17% of the total world population.
- More than 21 million residents live in Beijing, the capital of China.
- 0.07% represents the percentage of immigrants in China, or more precisely, around 1 million foreign residents.
Cases in which Chinese citizenship is lost or renounced
Article no. 9 of the Chinese Nationality Law mentions that a Chinese citizen who emigrates overseas and obtains foreign citizenship stops being a Chinese national. As such, he or she can no longer be able to transmit Chinese nationality to the heirs. On the other hand, Chinese nationals have the opportunity to renew this citizenship, as stipulated in Article No. 10 of the same set of laws. However, there are exceptions for Hong Kong Chinese persons and refer to the fact that they can still be Chinese nationals even after receiving foreign nationality. However, one can apply to the immigration department in China to be recognized as foreign nationals.
Interested in residency in China? Our specialists can manage the paperwork for you. On the other hand, if you want to apply for divorce in China, it is best to talk to a specialist in the field and avoid any complications. As a foreigner, if you are running a company in China, you are recommended to get a trademark for your products and services. As China is a first-to-file country, so the first person who registers a trademark in China will get a right over it. Please contact our law firm in China and find out all the details.