Accepting Institutions

The public security organs of the people's governments of cities with districts, and the public security sub-bureaus and county bureaus in municipalities directly under the central government.

Application Requirements

Foreigners who have made remarkable contributions to the economic and social development of China or who meet other conditions for permanent residence in China may apply for permanent residence in China.

Foreigners applying for permanent residence in China shall abide by Chinese laws and regulations, be in good health, have no criminal record, and meet one of the following conditions:

(1) The applicant has made direct and stable investments in China, with good tax payment records for three consecutive years;

(2) The applicant holds the position of deputy general manager, factory deputy director or above, or those with professional associate senior titles or above, such as associate professor or associate researcher; or has been enjoying the equivalent salary in China for at least four consecutive years, and residing in China for a total of not less than three years within four years with good tax records;

(3) The applicant has made significant and outstanding contribution(s) to China and is especially needed in the country;

(4) The spouse and the unmarried children (under age 18) of the applicant who meet the foregoing conditions specified in (1), (2) or (3);

(5) The applicant is the spouse of a Chinese citizen or of a foreign national who has obtained permanent residence in China; The applicant and his or her spouse have been married for a minimum of five years; The applicant has had a minimum of five consecutive years of residence in China with no less than nine months each year, and has a stable source of income and domicile;

(6) The applicant under the age of 18 is unmarried and dependent on his or her parents;

(7) The applicant is or above the age of 60, has no direct relatives abroad, and lives with his or her direct relative in China; the applicant has stayed in China for at least five consecutive years with at least nine months of residence each year, and has a stable source of income and domicile.

Case Not Accepted

For foreign nationals who do not meet the foregoing conditions, his/her application for permanent residence in China shall not be accepted.

Additionally, according to Article 24 of the Measures for the Administration of Examination and Approval of Foreigners' Permanent Residence in China, where any of the following circumstances occurs, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) has the right to cancel the previously obtained permanent residence in China of foreign nationals and confiscate their Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards or declare their Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards invalid.

(1) Foreigners nationals who may endanger China's national security or interests;

(2) Foreigners who have been sentenced to be deported by a people's court;

(3) Foreigners who obtained permanent residence in China by false materials or other unlawful means;

(4) Foreigners whose residence in China, without approval, is less than three months each year or less than one year cumulatively within five years.

Application Materials

In addition to a valid foreign passport, a Health Certificate, and a foreign Certificate of No Criminal Record, the applicants shall submit the following materials when applying for permanent residence in China. The certificate of no criminal record issued within China shall be officially verified by the exit-entry administration authorities.

(1) High-level foreign talents, foreign nationals who have made significant contributions or who are urgently needed by China, may apply to the exit-entry administration department of the public security agency for permanent residence in China, based on recommendations by relevant national authorities, provincial people's governments, or national key development area management departments. Their foreign spouses and minor children may also apply together;

(2) Foreigners who have worked in China for four consecutive years, resided in China for at least six months each year, have an annual salary that is at least six times the average of urban employees in the region for the previous year and have paid at least 20% of the annual salary in individual income tax may apply to the exit-entry administration department of the public security agency for permanent residence in China. Their foreign spouses and minor children may also apply together;

(3) Overseas Chinese working in China who hold a doctoral degree or have worked in a national key development area for four consecutive years and have resided in China for at least six months each year may apply to the exit-entry administration department of the public security agency for permanent residence in China. Their foreign spouses and minor children may also apply together.

Source: National Immigration Administration