The Foreigner's Permanent Residence ID Card - China's "green card" - is issued by the Ministry of Public Security. Holders may live indefinitely, travel in and out without a visa, and enjoy near-national treatment in employment, property and children's schooling.
Main application tracks (meet one): investment (direct investment of US$2 million+ with sound operations); talent (high-level or specially needed talent with major contributions); employment (4+ consecutive years of work, at least 3 cumulative years in China, clean tax record); or family (married 5+ years to a Chinese citizen or PR holder, with 5 continuous years of residence in China).
Documents: valid passport, residence permit, police clearance, medical check-up, income/tax proof, property or lease contract - all translated and notarised.
Process and timeline: submit to the municipal exit-entry bureau, review by the province, approval by the Ministry of Public Security - about 6-12 months in total; fee 1,500 yuan.
Once approved, the card itself has no expiry, but the physical card is renewed every 5 years. The bar is high and scrutiny strict; most applicants go through lawyers or employer HR rather than DIY.
