How to apply for a green card in China

A permanent residence permit will be cancelled under four circumstances

The Certificate of Permanent Residence of Aliens will be revoked or declared invalid if:

1 You are deemed likely to cause harm to national security or interests;

2 You are ordered by the people’s court to be expelled from the country;

3 You have obtained permanent residence through falsified materials or other illegal methods;

4 Your accumulated stay in a year is less than three months, or your accumulated stay in a period of five years in China is less than one year, without permission.

The Regulations on Examination and Approval of Permanent Residence of Alien in China are not applicable to Chinese citizens who reside overseas or overseas Chinese who still hold a Chinese passport. 　

According to “The Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China” issued in 1986, Chinese citizens residing abroad who desire to return to China must file an application in the country of their residence with the Chinese embassy, consulate, or other institution entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They may also file an application to the public security authority at or above country level in their proposed place of residence in China, or via their relatives in China.

Aliens who apply under “the Regulations on Examination and Approval of Permanent Residence of Alien in China” shall pay fees for visas or certificates. The rates of fees are decided by the national development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Finance.

Benefits for Chinese green card holders:

1 With the exception of political rights and in some other areas where the law has ruled differently, an alien who holds the Chinese green card will enjoy the same rights and will have the same obligations as a Chinese citizen.

2 The PRP holder can enter and leave China freely without needing a visa.

3 The PRP holder is allowed to work freely and without restrictions in China;

4 The PRP holder is able to undertake direct investment with legally owned money;

5 The PRP holder can take part in professional qualification reviews and tests;

6 The Children of a PRP holder can receive compulsory education and enjoy the same rights as Chinese citizens.

7 The PRP holder is entitled to participate in social insurance;

8 The PRP holder is entitled to buy commercial housing for their own use or residence in China;

9 The PRP holder is entitled to the same treatment as Chinese citizens when applying for bank card, insurance, securities and futures, or other financial services;

10 The PRP holder has access to the same ticket prices for parks, entertainment, or other forms of consumption as Chinese citizens;

11 The PRP as legal identification in China is valid for use for boarding domestic flights, purchasing train fares, and hotel check-in nationwide;

12 The PRP holder is entitled to the same treatment as Chinese citizens when applying for motor vehicle registration and license.