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China is a unique East Asian country, which holds a leading position in the world in terms of economic growth. The general welfare of the Chinese people is also growing from year to year. It is not surprising that foreigners, who want to get a quality education, pursue career ambitions or master new horizons for business development come to China en masse. To put such tasks into practice, expats need to apply for a residence permit in China.
After the legalization of the status, a foreign guest can freely study, work or engage in entrepreneurial activities in the territory of the Asian state. Also, holders of a "Chinese" residence permit can open accounts in local banks and acquire real estate ownership rights. But, the holder of the Chinese residence permit does not allow the individual the right to vote, as well as does not allow a person to occupy positions of responsibility in the public administration system.
Local authorities adhere to strict rules regarding foreigners who have been granted the status of a temporary resident of the PRC. Particularly, the residence permit can be canceled if the relocant has not lived in the country for more than 3 years.
Types of residence permit
Visually, the residence permit is a plastic card ("Foreigners Residence Permit"), which contains personal data, biometrics and a photo of the owner. In China, there are the following formats of residence permit – "work", "for private affairs" and "for family reunification".
Applicants who come to the territory of the People's Republic of China for the following purposes can apply for the status:
- studies;
- employment;
- family reunification;
- marriage;
- treatment;
- business setting up (or acquiring a local company);
- investment in the national economy;
- implementation of humanitarian missions.
A residence permit in China is issued for a period of 1 year. The status can be extended for the next 5 years of residence in the country.
Before starting the legalization procedure, it is recommended to examine the chosen format of the residence permit in detail. At the next stage, the applicant must once again make sure that he/she meets all the criteria and is ready to submit all the documents necessary for the registration of temporary resident status in the PRC.
Is it possible to issue a residence permit after a real estate purchase?
Formally, the status of a residence permit for the purchase of housing in China is not provided. This transaction does not entail the issuance of Chinese citizenship.
To cross the border of the Chinese state, the relocant will initially have to apply for a visa on alternative grounds. For example, in connection with employment, and, then request a residence permit taking into account the selected criterion.
Residence permit for students
To study legally in China, a foreign student needs to issue 2 documents – a visa and a residence permit. How can a student get a “Foreigners Residence Permit”?
It is necessary to follow to the next actions:
- Prepare documents.
- Undergo medical examination.
- Receive the "Application Letter for International students" (invitation letter from the university).
- Submit documents to the police station (at the place of registration).
- Pay the fee and receive the plastic certificate.
Necessary justifications
- admission to a university or an official invitation to attend training courses;
- availability of X1 (valid for more than 6 months) and X2 (issued for no more than six months) visas.
List of documents
- international passport;
- study visa;
- a diploma of completion of the previous stage of study in the PRC;
- invitation from the university;
- medical insurance;
- police clearance certificate;
- certificate of health status ("Physical examination record");
- official training permit (JW201 or JW 202 forms).
For the registration of a residence permit, the applicant is obliged to pay a state fee of 400 yuan (the amount is calculated for 1 year of document validity).
Are there issued residence permits to financially independent persons (freelancers, "digital nomads", "representatives of the liberal professions or self-employed individuals")?
The Chinese authorities did not provide for the possibility of issuing a special visa for digital nomads. Such a format of an entry permit should appear in Taiwan in the near future. But a visa intended for foreigners working remotely will be issued for only 6 months. For this reason, it would be premature to consider the document a full-fledged analogue of a residence permit.
Residence permit by marriage
Registration of marriage with a citizen of the People's Republic of China automatically provides the relocant with the status of a temporary resident of the Asian state. To legally cross the border, you will need to receive a visitor visa of the S1 category (the validity of the document is more than 6 months) or S2 category (issued for no more than six months).
Necessary justifications
- registration of marriage with a citizen of the People's Republic of China;
- availability of an S1 visitor visa.
List of documents
- passport of the applicant and his/her spouse;
- visitor visa;
- a legalized copy of the "marriage" certificate;
- health certificate;
- certificate of registration at the place of residence;
- police clearance certificate;
- medical insurance;
- housing lease agreement.
The marriage must be officially registered, otherwise the issuance of the residence permit will be refused. After 1 year of residence in the status of a temporary resident, a foreigner has the right to count on permanent residence.
Residence permit through family reunification
This format of the immigration program is designed for relocants who have close relatives living in the PRC. These include: wife and husband, children, parents, sisters and brothers, grandparents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, as well as father-in-law and mother-in-law.
Necessary justifications
- the presence of relatives living in the PRC (+ an official invitation from them);
- availability of a Q1/Q2 visitor visa.
List of documents
- international passport;
- visitor visa;
- invitation from relatives;
- certificates or certificates confirming kinship with representatives of the hosting party;
- health certificate;
- certificate of registration at the place of residence;
- police clearance certificate.
- health insurance.
The status of a temporary resident is assigned to the relocant for a period of 1 year. After 5 years of residence in the PRC, he/she has the right to apply for permanent residence, and after another 5 – for citizenship.
Residence permit through employment
Foreigners who are employed in the domestic market of the PRC are allowed by the country's authorities to apply for the status of a temporary resident of the country.
But the candidate can apply for it if the Chinese company has concluded a contract with the candidate. To cross the border of the People's Republic of China, a relocant must apply for a Z category work visa.
Necessary justifications
- availability of an employment contract (+ an official invitation from the employer);
- availability of a work visa.
List of documents
- international passport;
- work visa;
- invitation from the host;
- employment contract;
- work licence;
- certificate of registration at the place of residence;
- health insurance;
- health certificate;
Registration of documents for a residence permit is carried out directly by the employer. Initially, the status of a temporary resident is assigned for 1 year (the maximum period of validity of the residence permit does not exceed the period for which the employment contract is concluded).
Residence permit for business, individual entrepreneur
Opening your own business in China provides an entrepreneur with the opportunity to apply for a residence permit in the country. But the period for registering a business in China can vary from 2 to 6 months. Initially, a businessman must apply for an M visa. If the enterprise is actively developing, and its economic indicators are growing, the Chinese authorities grant the expat the status of a temporary resident of the country.
Necessary justifications
- registration of business in the field that is approved by the state;
- availability of a business visa.
List of documents
- international passport;
- business visa;
- bank statement for the reporting period (1 calendar year);
- certificate of business registration;
- a commercial license certifying the right to engage in business in the PRC;
- health certificate;
- certificate of registration at the place of residence;
- health insurance;
- police clearance certificate;
A residence permit for an entrepreneur is issued for 1 year (the status can be extended up to 5 years).
Extension of residence permit
To extend the status of a temporary resident, a foreigner must contact the National Immigration Administration department at the place of residence (no later than one month before the expiration of the "Foreigners Residence Permit").
The following package of documents must be submitted to the department:
- application;
- international passport;
- visa;
- certificate of registration at the place of residence;
- bank statement (income statement), which confirms financial guarantees;
- certificates justifying the purpose of further stay in the territory of the Asian state.
The residence permit is extended within 10-15 days from the date of submission of documents.
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