Chinese Green Card

Getting China's "green card" which is formally known as the "foreigner's permanent residence identity card," was considered one of the most difficult things in the world. That's about to change because the country has eased the process by streamlining procedures and lowering the threshold for applicants. According to the Ministry of Public Security, in 2016 alone 1,576 foreigners became permanent residents in China, up 163 percent year-on-year.

The permanent residence permit issued to the foreigners by China, or the Chinese "green card", was first introduced in 2004. The number of Chinese "green card" holders had passed the 10,000 mark by 2016. It has undergone several reforms and now it is officially called the "Foreigner's Permanent Residence Identity Card." In this post, for the sake of simplicity, we will just refer to it as a "green card."

Here are some renowned ex-pats who received the Chinese "green card".

Stephon Marbury

Stephon Marbury is the first foreign basketball player ever to receive Chinese "green card", on April 18, 2016. The former NBA All-Star played in China since 2010 and led the Beijing Ducks to three CBA (China Basketball Association) titles between 2012 and 2015. Having retired in Feb 2018, he has committed himself to promote basketball.

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Joan Hinton

Joan Hinton was the first foreigner to receive the permanent resident permit, in 2004. She was a nuclear physicist and one of the few women scientists who worked for the Manhattan Project. Moving to China in 1948, she had dedicated herself to the improvement of the agricultural machinery and diary industry and lived in China for over 50 years.

Robert A. Mundell

Robert A. Mundell, a Nobel economics prize laureate and the "Father of Euro", received his Chinese "green card" in Beijing on March 16, 2005. Having worked in China for decades, he has contributed to academic exchange in economics, offered advice to governments, and been one of the founders and the honorary president of a university for entrepreneurs named after by him.

Kurt Wuethrich

Kurt Wuethrich from Switzerland received the permanent residence card in Shanghai on April 2, 2018. He won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 2002 and is a chaired professor at Shanghai Tech University.

Feringa Bernard Lucas

Feringa Bernard Lucas, the winner of the 2016 Nobel Prize in chemistry, obtained his Chinese "green card" in Shanghai on May 2, 2018. He has also served as a visiting professor at East China University of Science and Technology.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for a "green card", you should meet at least one of the following requirements:

-- Direct investment in China with good rate paying record. Stable business.

-- Be a high-level talent.

-- Work in key industries or fields that receive State support.

-- Make a great contribution to China or posses skill especially needed by China.

-- Have come to China to be with your family, such as a spouse, or a dependent minor or senior citizen.

Advantages of the Green Card

Application Process

Submit an application to the public security organ of the People’s Government at the city level or the branch office or county office of the public security bureau of a municipality directly under the central government, which is in charge of the community of the applicant’s major investment or long-term residence. Provide the specified application documents.

The public security body shall investigate and verify the conditions of the applicant according to the specified prerequisites.

The local department will submit the application to the Ministry of Public Security for examination and approval.

The ministry shall decide whether to approve or reject the application for a permanent residence permit within six months of receiving the application.

Upon the approval of the Ministry of Public Security, the applicant will be granted a Foreigner Permanent Residence Permit by the Ministry of Public Security.

Comments from those who obtained Chinese Green Card:

"I absolutely believe the green card will give foreign permanent residents more convenience to enjoy all the rights related to residency," said Anders Lindquist, a chair professor of automation at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and a permanent resident in China from Sweden. "It also renders us a stronger sense of belonging in China."

Fan Weishu, a 48-year-old Chinese-American who is a senior manager at an international insurance company in Beijing, said he was really excited to receive the card.

"I was born and raised in China, and today I felt that I'm back and I'm a real 'Beijinger'," he said.

Ghulam Sajid, who is from Pakistan and works as a manager of an import and export company in Shanghai, obtained permanent residence in China several years ago, said:

"With the green card, I'll be able to buy the train tickets on machines and get on a train by swiping the card like Chinese citizens" 

Note: The information provided here should be used for reference only. China is vast and every city has its own regulations, check with your local relevant department for clarification and better guidance.