Foreign individuals who want to live in China need to obtain a permanent residence permit in China. The application is submitted together with several documents. Those who come to the country to work must first obtain a work permit and then apply for residency in China. Our Chinese lawyers can help foreign citizens apply for varied visas and also for a Chinese green card.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit types |
– Work Visa, – Student Visa, – Long Stay Journalist visas (Z, X, J-1) |
|
Time needed to obtain temporary residence permit (approx.) |
6 weeks |
|
Temporary residence permit validity |
1 year |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence |
– passport with valid entry visa, – completed visa application form with official stamp, – original registration form of temporary residence, – family member’s passport with a valid residence permit, – two passport photos with white or light blue background |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/ municipality register) |
Documents submitted to the Immigration Service Center of Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai Public Security Bureau |
| Dependents can join the temporary permit holder (Yes/No) |
Yes Our lawyers can offer details about how to immigrate to China. |
| Types of investment available for residency purposes |
– an individual can invest a capital of at least RMB 10 million in China; – make investments in regions prescribed by the government; – establish a high tech or innovative enterprise |
| Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes |
No |
| Minimum investment amount |
CNY 600,000 |
| Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence |
Four years Our team can offer details about how to immigrate to China. |
| Residency for individuals married to a citizen of the country | Permanent residence |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence |
– complete application form for permanent residence in China, – valid passport and valid visa; – passport photos; – a health certificate; – non-criminal record abroad; – complete resume of the applicant Our lawyers can offer details about how to immigrate to China. |
| Naturalization requirements |
– immediate family with Chinese nationality, – possess permanent residency in mainland China or a special administrative region, – have other “legitimate reasons”. |
| Citizenship after permanent residence |
Yes |
| Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No) | No |
Table of Contents
Requirements for obtaining a residence permit in China
Individuals who want to apply for a China residence permit needs to respect a few important requirements that can be entirely explained by our Chinese lawyers. Here are the general rules and conditions:
- The applicant must have a valid passport and a health certificate issued by an approved hospital;
- The individual should also obtain a document from the Chinese embassy or consulate in his/her country of residence that proves that the individual has no criminal record;
- Two passport photos are also needed;
- Application fee;
- Foreigners who work in permanent representative offices in China must also provide an Employer’s Card and an Employment Certificate.
The application must be submitted as soon as possible after the foreigner has arrived in China, but no later than 30 days afterward. The usual validity period of the resident permit cannot exceed the validity of the passport. Those who want to live in China for less than one year can apply for a temporary residence permit.
The required documents can vary according to the Chinese city in which the applicant wishes to live. Our law firm in China can give you specific details about the formalities for a Chinese permanent residence permit in 2025. Below is an infographic with information on this topic:
Applications for residence permits in China in 2025
Resident permits in China in 2025 can be extended, depending on the purpose of the visit: study, work, private affairs, or family reunion. The validity of the renewed permit cannot exceed that of the first resident permit. The applications should be submitted within three months or at least seven working days before the expiration date of the current permit.
Note that foreigners over the age of 60 can be granted a two-year residence permit. When this permit expires, it can be renewed. To learn more about such advantages, the services of our lawyers are at your disposal. All the documents submitted in an application for a residence permit in China must be true. Our Chinese attorneys can also help you arrange the purchase of a property in China.
The timeframe for obtaining a residence permit in China is 6 weeks, while in other countries such as Korea, it may take only 20 days to obtain temporary residency.
Types of residence permits in China
According to the legislation in force in China, the following types of residence permits are required for foreigners who want to settle in this country:
- Temporary residence permits are required for those who want to stay for more than 6 months in China, but not more than a year. Various visits are allowed with this type of residence permit.
- Permanent residence permits are renewed once every 10 years and are connected to the D visas. China permanent residence permits are also called “Green Cards”.
- Foreigner residence permits can be renewed every year and are required for most categories of foreign workers in China, except investors, company directors, etc.
Every residence permit in China requires special attention in terms of application conditions. All legal aspects related to immigration to China can be detailed by our Chinese lawyers who can help you with the preparation of the necessary documents for the application. You might also want to watch the following video presentation on this subject:
Who can apply for a family residence permit in China?
We present you the categories of people who are eligible to apply for a family residence permit in the People’s Republic of China:
- Overseas Chinese, who have purchased a land property in China and are aged above 60 years, can apply for a family residence permit in China along with their non-Chinese spouses and children aged below 18;
- Foreign children can apply for family residence permit if they are under 18 years of age and are being taken care of in China, but must have overseas Chinese parents or their parents must be Chinese citizens who hold permanent residence permits in foreign countries;
- Foreigners who are above 60 years of age along with their spouses, who are interested in immigration to China with their immediate relatives, because they do not have immediate families abroad, are eligible for a family residence permit in China. Their immediate family members or immediate relatives can be foreigners who have permanent residence status in China or they can be Chinese citizens;
- Non-Chinese children less than 18 years of age, parents, or spouses of Chinese citizens or foreigners who have permanent residence status in the People’s Republic of China can apply for a family residence permit;
- Overseas Chinese who are above 18 years of age and they come to China to take care of their parents above 60 years of age can apply for a family residence permit in China.
You can get legal assistance from our attorneys regarding different kinds of options for residency in China.
Foreign students and the benefits of a residence permit in China
Another amendment to the legislation on immigration and resettlement of foreigners in China involves foreign students, especially those who complete their studies at prestigious universities in Shanghai. They can apply for a residence permit valid for two years. This program dedicated to this category of students will simplify their path to entrepreneurship in China. You can also benefit from the legal services offered by our specialists in immigration in China.
Permanent residence permits for top entrepreneurs in China
China permanent residence permits can be obtained by overseas entrepreneurs or foreigners who want to invest in this country. Thus, those who invest at least CNY 600,000 each year and are up to date with their taxes can get this type of China permanent residence permit. Even those who have worked in Shanghai for at least 4 years, without interruption and without having problems with the law can apply for this type of Chinese residence permit.
You can discuss all legal issues regarding China permanent residence permits with our experienced immigration specialists. And those who want to relocate their companies to China can turn their attention to our legal services.
Long-term 5-year residence in China
Foreigners who have worked uninterruptedly for at least two years in Shanghai, China, without violating the immigration laws are optimal candidates for long-term 5-year residence permits. The Chinese authorities are entitled to carry out the necessary checks to ensure that the applicants did not have any problems with the law while working in China.
This new program for residency in China simplifies the process of annually renewing the residence permit of foreign nationals. Find out from our team of lawyers in China what are the necessary steps to obtain a residence permit valid for 5 years or a Chinese green card.
What is a green card in China and when is this document needed?
The Chinese green card is the same thing as a permanent residence card in China. This document is issued to foreigners who work in China for an indefinite period. Moreover, the Chinese green card is meant to attract high-skilled people, like investors and entrepreneurs in China, who are offered permanent residency in China. Here are some of the Chinese green card requirements:
- Applicants must present a clear criminal record and a valid passport.
- The employment contract is requested with information about the activities and the period of the respective agreement.
- Information about qualifications is also solicited. Such a Chinese green card is issued for those who will be active in the scientific sector in China, research, and other similar fields.
- Applicants must also bring information about monthly income.
Chinese green card for foreign graduates in China
Those who come to study in China have the opportunity to receive permanent residency after graduation. This involves the Chinese green card. A Ph.D. degree is advantageous for those who want to live in China after finishing their studies and who need permanent residency in China. We advise you to contact us and learn more about the services we offer to solve immigration problems.
Immigration facts about China
Here are some interesting facts about immigration to China that could help you when you decide to relocate to this country:
- Around 13.074 million foreign nationals entered and exited China during the first quarter of 2024.
- About 466,000 visas were issued for foreigners in the same period.
Updates on Chinese residence permits
The immigration authorities in China have recently introduced several changes to the law regarding the work permit for foreigners accepting jobs here. In this case, foreign citizens no longer need to apply for a work permit in a physical form. Now, they can opt for a dedicated platform and apply for an electronic social security card, which will also contain information about residency and employment. In addition, work permits already issued must not be changed or replaced with integration into the new system. It is also recalled that foreign citizens have 15 days to access the above-mentioned system for issuing work and residence permits in a digital form.
Working with our Chinese lawyers
The professionalism, the attention to detail, and the transparency with which we treat each case are seen in the final results that our clients benefit from. Everything related to the immigration process, from a legal point of view, comes to the attention of our specialists with experience in this field, so do not hesitate to talk to us.
In addition to this, the services of our lawyers are also at your disposal if you are interested in trademark registration in China. Besides this information, if you are interested in information about divorce in China, our lawyers can assist you. Feel free to contact our law firm in China to find out more about Chinese green card requirements, among other aspects.