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The National Immigration Administration officially launched the new version of Foreigner's Permanent Resident ID card on December 1, 2023. It is also known as the "Five-star card" as it is emblazoned with five stars, a decoration which is also featured on the national emblem.According to various regional reports, more than 50 expats from 20 countries received the card on the day it was launched. Five expats were issued the five-star card at 9:30 am on December 1. Among them, Shaukat Ali, a Pakistan national who is an associate professor at a university in Guangdong excitedly said "I am very happy to get the new card. My life and work in Guangdong will be more convenient after this.""The card looks the same as my student's citizen ID card... From now on, I can just swipe my five-star card when I travel by high-speed train or stay in a hotel, making my work and life in China more efficient and convenient." Said Ali whose application was approved in November.
Mei Xuezhen (Chinese name), a Canadian entrepreneur, also received the five-star card on the same day. "I was born and raised in Guangzhou, but I received higher education abroad. I returned to my hometown after graduation to start a business, hoping to help more people." Mei Xuezhen said.Mei's job involves frequent travels to various cities in China and says the card will be more convenient to use than the passport."For me, obtaining a five-star card is not only an honor but also a recognition."
Some holders of the old permanent resident card also visited the issuing authority in Guangzhou that same day to learn more about the new card and apply for it.Russian scholar Han Yili (Chinese name) obtained his PR in 2020 and the card is still valid. However, he wants to replace it with the new card."My original card is still valid, but I learned that the new version will be more convenient and has a permanent 18-character ID number. The new card will be more convenient for logging in to some commonly used apps, such as medical insurance, personal income tax, etc." Han said.
Among them, were two expats from Wuxi, one from Changzhou, and one from Nanjing, and they come from South Korea, Singapore, Sweden and Germany.
Hans, a Swedish employee of Haber (Changzhou) Cable Co., Ltd., received the first "Five Star Card" issued in Jiangsu Province.A German expert who has been working in Nanjing for a long time also applied for a replacement of his PR card in the city on the same day.
Irmazsnan from Türkiye shows his "five-star card" after receiving it at the hall of the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau.Shanghai announced that 5 more people received the card on the same day.Five expats were issued the Five-star card in Zhejiang province, they come from the United States, France, Sweden, Canada, and Australia.Among them, Professor Mohamad Sawan from Canada, is a Chair Professor, Founder, and Principle Investigator of the Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation. He focuses on smart medical devices at the West Lake University.He is also a winner of the Chinese Government Friendship Award."The process was very smooth, and the attitude of the staff at the application window was also very enthusiastic." Said Sawan.New Zealand's Yu Haifeng, General Manager of Jiumu Kitchen and Bathroom Appliances company, received the first five-star card issued in Quanzhou."I was not expecting to receive the card so quickly, which is the first one issued in Quanzhou. I feel very honored." Yu Haifeng told reporters.
On the same day, Ms. Lin, a Chinese-American also received the five-star card, becoming the first expat to be granted the card in Fuzhou.
Ms. Lin told reporters that she can now take transportation such as airplanes and high-speed trains, check into hotels, and handle banking, insurance, securities, and other businesses using the card. In essence, she says, she no longer needs to carry her passport, which is much more convenient.
3 other people in different cities in Fujian received the card on the same day.Lemaire from France became the first expat to receive the "Five-Star Card" in Wuhan. He is the CEO of an automotive parts company.Lemaire and his wife have been living in China for 16 years and had applied for the "Five-Star Card" as professional technicians.Netherlands's Lute secured his permanent residence ID card in August 2022 but decided to apply for the new card after hearing that it has more functions than the previous version."Although my old version is still valid, the 'Five-Star Card' is more beautiful and useful. I can use it on internet platforms to handle transportation, daily consumption, financial transactions, and other matters, making life in China more convenient!" Lute said.
Another expat from Lebanon also secured the card in Wuhan on the same day.Six expats in Sichuan secured the card on the first day, they come from countries such as Poland, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore.They applied for the cards in Chengdu, Deyang, Mianyang, Nanchong, Leshan, etc.
Shandong (2 people)Both received their cards in Yantai.They are both Chinese-origin expats.Beijing and Tianjin (No number was specified)The number of people who received the card in Beijing and Tianjin was not specified, but the two cities are among the top cities where the card was issued.The majority come from Russia, Pakistan, Canada, France, etc.
Chongqing (1 person applied)
Winter Andreas, the foreign chief engineer of a motorcycle engine manufacturing company in Chongqing, headed over to the Banan Exit-Entry Services Hall to submit the application materials for the "Five Star Card".Andreas said he is looking forward to receiving the "Five-star Card" as soon as possible, which will make his work and daily life in Chongqing more convenient.Expats who'd like to apply for permanent residency in China must comply with Chinese laws, be in good health, and have no criminal record.
To read about how you can apply for the five-star card, please check out many articles we have shared previously.The foreign permanent residence ID card, or the Chinese "green card", is a valid identity certificate for foreigners whose residence period in China is not limited.
Reference: State Council, Weibo, Xinhua
*The opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author.* Follow Us
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