Requirements for China Green Card (Permanent Residence Permit)

The requirements for different types of China Green Card (Permanent Residence Permit) are different.

Aliens can apply for Permanent Residence for Spouse Reunion if they meet the following conditions: 
1. Spouses of Chinese citizens or of aliens having obtained permanent residence in PRC;
2. Marriage has lasted for five years;
3. have lived in PRC for five years in a row, the annual stay in PRC being no shorter than nine months;
4. have stable and secured living status and place to live.

 Requirements
Take Shanghai Exit and Entry Administration as an example since there may be slight regional difference.
1. Completed Application Form of Aliens for Permanent Residence in PRC; 
2. Recent 48×33mm color photos (full face without hat) against blue background; 
3. Valid foreign passports with valid visa and two copies of it;
4. The original and two copies of the marriage certificate. If it is issued abroad, it must be authenticated by the Chinese embassy (consulate) abroad, and the authentication is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance. In addition, two copies of identity card used for marriage registration are required;
5. The identity card of the Chinese spouse and the permanent residence certificate and passport of the foreign spouse and 2 copies of them;
6. The original and one copy of proof of living security (bank deposit certificate) OR proof of financial resources. The proof of financial resources is the pension certificate of the applicant or his/her spouse. If it is issued abroad, it must be authenticated by the Chinese embassy (consulate) abroad;
7. The original and 2 copies of the property ownership certificate or house-leasing contract;
If the property is owned by the applicant, a property certificate is required, and the English name shall be added to the property certificate;
8. Certificate of health issued by Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau appointed by the Chinese government or issued by foreign medical agencies accredited by Chinese embassies or consulate offices (the Health Certificate is valid for 6 months since it is issued);
9. Proof of no criminal record abroad recognized by Chinese embassies or consulate offices and one copy;
10. Proof of no criminal record in China and one copy.


Unmarried children aged under 18 years old who come to PRC to live with their parents can apply for Permanent Residence in PRC if they meet the following conditions: 
1. One or both of their parents is or are Chinese citizen(s) and have household registration in PRC, or one or both of their parents is or are alien(s) with permanent residence status in PRC;
2. Under the age of 18 and unmarried;
3. Confirmed to have foreign nationality after examination according to Law of Nationality of P.R.C. 

 Requirements
1. Completed Application Form of Aliens for Permanent Residence in PRC; 
2. Recent 48×33mm color photos (full face without hat) against blue background; 
3. Valid foreign passports with valid visa and two copies of it;
4. The ID card and residence certificate of the Chinese father (or mother) or the valid passport and "Foreigner Permanent Residence Identity Card" of the foreign father (or mother) and 2 copies;
5. Original and 2 copies of birth certificate (or parent-child relationship certificate, adoption certificate). If issued abroad, it must be authenticated by the Chinese embassy (consulate) abroad;
6. The original and two copies of the parents’ marriage certificate (if the parents are divorced, a certificate proving that the parent has sole guardianship responsibility for the child, such as a court ruling, etc.). If issued abroad, it must be authenticated by the Chinese embassy (consulate) abroad;
7. If both or one of the parents was/were Chinese national when the child was born, the nationality identification of the child must be done first.


Foreign investors can apply for Permanent Residence if they have direct investment in PRC for three years in a row and have a sound taxation record and meet any of the following terms and conditions:  
1. having made an investment of over USD 500,000 in industries of encouraged type as specified in the Catalogue of Industries of Foreign Investment released by the State;

2. having made a total investment of over USD 500,000 in counties in the western part of the country or in counties which are major targets of poverty relief work undertaken by the State;

3. having a total investment of over USD 1 million in the central part of the country;

4. having a total investment of over USD 2 million in PRC.

 Requirements of foreign investors
1. Completed Application Form of Aliens for Permanent Residence in PRC; 
2. Recent 48×33mm color photos (full face without hat) against blue background; 
3. Valid foreign passports with valid visa and two copies of it;
4. The original and one copy of the tax clearance certificate issued by the tax authorities for three consecutive years before the date of application;
5. A copy of the business license and the online annual reports for the past three years, and 2 copies;
6. The original capital verification report after the company reaches the standard and the audit report for three consecutive years, and 2 copies;
7. Certificate of health issued by Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau appointed by the Chinese government or issued by foreign medical agencies accredited by Chinese embassies or consulate offices (the Health Certificate is valid for 6 months since it is issued);
8. Proof of no criminal record abroad recognized by Chinese embassies or consulate offices and one copy;
9. Proof of no criminal record in China and one copy.
 

Foreigners can apply for Permanent Residence for Employment if they satisfy the following conditions: 
1. having worked in China four consecutive years;
2. having actually lived in China for no less than six months each year;
3. The annual wage income is no less than six times the average wage of urban employees in the region in the previous year;
4. Having paid no less than 20% of the annual wage income standard. 

 Requirements 
1. Completed Application Form of Aliens for Permanent Residence in PRC; 
2. Recent 48×33mm color photos (full face without hat) against blue background; 
3. Valid foreign passports with valid visa and two copies of it;
4. Original and one copy of the salary certificate issued by the employer for the last four years;
5. Original and one copy of the tax clearance certificate issued by the tax authorities for the four consecutive years before the date of application;
6. Original and two copies of the valid "Foreigner Work Permit" obtained in China;
7. Original and one copy of the recommendation letter issued by the current employer;
8. A copy of the employer's "Enterprise Business License" or relevant registration certificate and online annual report for the last four years, and submit two copies;
9. Proof of no criminal record abroad recognized by Chinese embassies or consulate offices;
10. Proof of post or title of the persons issued by the units where they work;


This type of Permanent Residence is issued to aliens who have major and outstanding contributions to PRC or needed urgently by PRC. 

 Requirements
1. Completed Application Form of Aliens for Permanent Residence in PRC; 
2. Recent 48×33mm color photos (full face without hat) against blue background; 
3. Valid foreign passports with valid visa and two copies of it;
4. Certificate of health issued by Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau appointed by the Chinese government or issued by foreign medical agencies accredited by Chinese embassies or consulate offices (the Health Certificate is valid for 6 months since it is issued);
5. Proof of no criminal record abroad recognized by Chinese embassies or consulate offices;
6. Letter of recommendation and related proofs issued by the competent authority of the Chinese government are required. 

Aliens can apply for Permanent Residence for Dependants if you meet the following conditions:
1. Persons having no direct relatives abroad entering PRC to live with direct relatives in PRC;
2. Over 60 years old whose annual stay in PRC being no shorter than nine months; 
3. Have stable and secure living status and places to live.

 Requirements 
1. Completed Application Form of Aliens for Permanent Residence in PRC; 
2. Recent 48×33mm color photos (full face without hat) against blue background; 
3. Valid foreign passports with valid visa and two copies of it;
4. The ID card and household registry of the applicant’s Chinese host, or the valid passport and "Foreigner Permanent Residence Identity Card" of the foreign host, and 2 copies; 
5. Original and 2 copies of the proof of kinship with the applicant's Chinese host;
6. The original and one copy of the "No Direct Relatives Outside Mainland China Proof " issued by a relevant foreign institution and authenticated by a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, and the original and one copy of the applicant's declaration that he or she has no direct relatives abroad;
7. The original and one copy of proof of living security (bank deposit certificate) OR proof of financial resources. The proof of financial resources is the pension certificate of the applicant or his/her spouse. If it is issued abroad, it must be authenticated by the Chinese embassy (consulate) abroad.
The original and 2 copies of the property ownership certificate or house-leasing contract.
If the property is owned by the applicant, a property certificate is required, and the English name shall be added to the property certificate.
8. Certificate of health issued by Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau appointed by the Chinese government or issued by foreign medical agencies accredited by Chinese embassies or consulate offices (the Health Certificate is valid for 6 months since it is issued);
9. Proof of no criminal record abroad recognized by Chinese embassies or consulate offices and one copy;
10. Proof of no criminal record in China and one copy.