摘要：Obtaining permanent residence in China, often referred to as the Chinese “green card,” represents a significant milestone for fore
Obtaining permanent residence in China, often referred to as the Chinese “green card,” represents a significant milestone for foreigners looking to establish long-term roots in the country.
在中国获得永久居留权，通常被称为中国“绿卡”，对于希望在中国长期定居的外国人来说是一个重要的里程碑。
While historically known for its stringent requirements, China has gradually reformed its permanent residence policies to attract international talent and investment.
尽管历史上以严格的要求而闻名，但中国已逐步改革其永久居留政策，以吸引国际人才和投资。
This comprehensive guide walks you through the application process, required documentation, and essential tips to enhance your chances of success.
本综合指南将带你了解申请流程、所需文件以及提高成功机会的关键提示。
Understanding China Permanent Residence Status
了解中国永久居留身份
China’s permanent residence permit allows foreign nationals to live in the country indefinitely without the need for regular visa renewals.
中国的永久居留许可允许外国公民在中国无限期居住，无需定期续签签证。
Permanent residents enjoy many privileges similar to Chinese citizens, including unrestricted employment opportunities, access to public services, and the ability to purchase property without additional restrictions.
永久居民享有与中国公民相似的许多特权，包括无限制的就业机会、享受公共服务以及无需额外限制购买房产的能力。
Unlike temporary visas that require frequent renewals and may limit your activities, permanent residence provides stability and flexibility for your long-term stay in China.
与需要频繁续签且可能限制你活动的临时签证不同，永久居留为中国长期居住提供了稳定性和灵活性。
However, the application process remains selective, with specific eligibility criteria that must be met before proceeding.
然而，申请过程仍然具有选择性，必须满足特定的资格条件后才能继续申请。
Determining Your Eligibility Category
确定你的资格类别
Before beginning the application process, identify which eligibility category best matches your situation:
在开始申请流程之前，确定哪个资格类别最符合你的情况：
Investment-Based Pathway: For foreign investors who have made substantial direct investments in China (typically $500,000 USD or more) for at least three consecutive years with good tax records.
投资类途径：适用于在中国进行重大直接投资（通常为50万美元或以上）的外国投资者，并且需连续三年保持良好纳税记录。
Employment-Based Pathway: For high-level professionals, technical experts, or individuals with specialized skills valuable to China’s development. Typically requires working in China for at least four consecutive years with a minimum annual income threshold.
就业类途径：适用于高级专业人士、技术专家或拥有对中国发展有价值的特殊技能的个人。通常要求在中国连续工作至少四年，并且需达到最低年薪门槛。
Family Reunion Pathway: For spouses of Chinese citizens or permanent residents (usually requiring five years of marriage), dependent children, or elderly parents joining family members in China.
家庭团聚类途径：适用于中国公民或永久居民的配偶（通常要求结婚满五年）、未成年子女或来中国投靠亲属的年长父母。
Extraordinary Contribution Pathway: For individuals who have made significant contributions to China’s economic, scientific, or cultural development, often requiring recommendation from relevant government departments.
特殊贡献类途径：适用于对中国经济发展、科学研究或文化发展做出重大贡献的个人，通常需要相关政府部门的推荐。
Each pathway has specific documentation requirements and qualification thresholds, so determining your category early helps streamline the application process.
每个途径都有具体的文件要求和资格门槛，因此尽早确定你的类别有助于简化申请流程。
Step 1: Initial Consultation and Pre-Assessment
第一步：初步咨询和预评估
Begin by consulting with the Exit-Entry Administration Department of your local Public Security Bureau (PSB).
首先，与当地公安局出入境管理部门进行咨询。
This preliminary meeting serves several important purposes:
此次初步会议有几项重要目的：
•Confirming your eligibility under current regulations
•确认你是否符合当前法规的资格条件
•Identifying the specific documents required for your situation
•确定你所在情况所需的特定文件
•Understanding local implementation of national policies
•了解国家政策在当地的实施情况
•Receiving guidance on application procedures specific to your region
•获取针对你所在地区申请程序的具体指导
Many major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou have established foreign service centers that provide English-language assistance for permanent residence inquiries.
像上海、北京和广州等许多大城市都设有外国服务中心，为永久居留咨询提供英语服务。
Schedule an appointment rather than walking in, as these consultations often require specialized staff.
建议提前预约，因为这些咨询通常需要专业人员。
Step 2: Document Collection and Preparation
第二步：文件收集与准备
The documentation requirements for China permanent residence applications are extensive and vary by eligibility category.
申请中国永久居留所需的文件繁多，且因资格类别而异。
However, most applications require:
然而，大多数申请都需要以下基本文件：
Basic Documentation:
基本文件：
•Valid passport with at least six months validity
•有效期至少六个月的护照
•Recent passport-sized photographs (typically 2 inches × 1.5 inches with white background)
•近期护照规格照片（通常是2英寸×1.5英寸，白色背景）
•Completed application form (typically Form QW-01)
•填妥的申请表（通常是QW-01表）
•Proof of current legal residence in China
•在中国当前合法居留的证明
•Health certificate from an authorized Chinese hospital (completed within six months)
•由中国授权医院出具的健康证明（六个月内完成）
•Criminal record check from your home country (authenticated and translated)
•由所在国出具的无犯罪记录证明（需认证并翻译）
Category-Specific Documentation:
类别特定文件：
•Investment pathway: Business license, capital verification reports, tax payment records, investment certificates
•投资类：营业执照、验资报告、纳税记录、投资证明
•Employment pathway: Employment contracts, work permits, salary statements, professional certifications, recommendation letters
•就业类：劳动合同、工作许可证、工资单、专业证书、推荐信
•Family reunion pathway: Marriage certificate, birth certificates, relationship verification documents
•家庭团聚类：结婚证、出生证、亲属关系证明文件
•Extraordinary contribution pathway: Awards, recognition certificates, letters of recommendation from relevant Chinese institutions
•特殊贡献类：获奖证书、认可证书、中国相关机构的推荐信
All foreign documents must be notarized in your home country, authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate, and translated into Chinese by an authorized translation service. This process can take several months, so begin collecting documents well in advance.
所有外国文件必须在所在国进行公证，由中国大使馆或领事馆认证，并由授权翻译机构翻译成中文。这一过程可能需要数月时间，因此请提前开始收集文件。
Step 3: Application Submission
第三步：提交申请
Once your documents are prepared, submit your application to the local PSB’s Exit-Entry Administration Department.
准备好文件后，将申请提交至当地公安局出入境管理部门。
The submission process typically involves:
提交过程通常包括以下步骤：
1.Scheduling an appointment for application submission
1.预约提交申请的时间
2.Presenting original documents along with photocopies
2.提交文件原件及复印件
3.Completing biometric data collection (fingerprints and photographs)
3. 完成生物识别信息采集（指纹和照片）
4.Paying the application fee (currently around 1,500 RMB)
4. 缴纳申请费（目前约为1500元人民币）
5.Receiving an application receipt with tracking information
5. 收到带有跟踪信息的申请收据
During submission, an immigration officer will review your documents for completeness. Be prepared to answer questions about your application and provide clarification if needed. Incomplete applications may be rejected, requiring you to restart the process.
在提交过程中，移民官员将检查文件是否完整。准备好回答有关申请的问题，并在需要时提供澄清。如果申请文件不完整，可能会被拒绝，需要重新开始整个流程。
Step 4: Application Processing and Review
第四步：申请处理与审核
After submission, your application undergoes a comprehensive review process that typically takes 6-12 months.
提交申请后，你的申请将进入一个全面的审核流程，通常需要6-12个月。
During this period:
在此期间：
•Your documents will be verified for authenticity
•你的文件将被核实其真实性
•Background checks will be conducted
•将进行背景调查
•Your eligibility will be assessed against current policies
•你的资格将根据当前政策进行评估
•Relevant government departments may be consulted for input
•可能会咨询相关政府部门的意见
The processing time varies significantly based on your eligibility category, the complexity of your case, and regional processing capacities.
处理时间会根据你的资格类别、案件的复杂程度以及地区的处理能力而有很大差异。
Investment and extraordinary contribution applications often receive expedited processing in certain regions.
在某些地区，投资类和特殊贡献类申请通常会获得加快处理。
You can check your application status using the tracking number provided during submission. Avoid leaving China during this period unless absolutely necessary, as travel may complicate the review process.
你可以使用提交时提供的跟踪号码查询申请状态。除非绝对必要，否则在此期间避免离开中国，因为旅行可能会使审核流程复杂化。
Step 5: Notification and Card Issuance
第五步：通知与卡片发放
If your application is approved, you’ll receive notification to collect your permanent residence card.
如果申请获得批准，你将收到通知，前往指定地点领取永久居留卡。
The collection process typically involves:
领取过程通常包括以下步骤：
1.Visiting the designated PSB office with your notification letter and identification
1. 携带通知信和身份证明前往指定的公安局出入境管理部门。
2.Verifying your identity through fingerprint matching
2. 通过指纹匹配确认身份。
3.Paying the card issuance fee (currently around 300 RMB)
3. 缴纳制卡费（目前约为300元人民币）。
4.Receiving your permanent residence card
4. 领取永久居留卡。
The permanent residence card is typically valid for 5-10 years and renewable indefinitely. The card contains an embedded chip with your biometric information and serves as your primary identification document in China.
永久居留卡通常有效期为5-10年，可无限期续期。该卡内嵌有芯片，包含你的生物识别信息，是中国境内的主要身份证明文件。
After Receiving Permanent Residence
获得永久居留后
Once you’ve obtained permanent residence, take these important steps:
获得永久居留后，请采取以下重要步骤：
•Register your permanent residence card with your local police station within 10 days
•在10天内到当地派出所登记你的永久居留卡
•Update your information with relevant institutions (banks, employers, schools)
•更新相关机构（银行、雇主、学校）的信息
•Familiarize yourself with the renewal process (typically begins three months before expiration)
•了解续签流程（通常在到期前三个月开始）
•Understand your rights and responsibilities as a permanent resident
•了解作为永久居民的权利和责任
Remember that permanent residence status can be revoked for certain violations of Chinese law or extended absence from China (typically more than two years without special permission).
请记住，如果违反中国法律或未经特别许可长时间离开中国（通常超过两年），永久居留身份可能会被撤销。
Conclusion
总结
Obtaining permanent residence in China requires careful preparation, patience, and attention to detail.
在中国获得永久居留需要精心准备、耐心和对细节的关注。
While the process is demanding, successful applicants gain significant benefits and stability for their long-term life in China.
虽然申请过程要求严格，但成功申请者将获得在中国长期生活的重大益处和稳定性。
By understanding the eligibility requirements, preparing thorough documentation, and following the application procedures diligently, you can navigate this complex process successfully and secure your future in China.
通过了解资格要求、准备完善的文件并严格遵循申请程序，你可以成功应对这一复杂流程，确保在中国的未来。
来源：外事商务咨询中心
