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underh20
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Joined: Sep 27, 2006
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Posted: Sep 28, 2008 - 07:17 PM
Post subject: Permanent Residence

Every once in a while a thread pops up containing questions about obtaining permanent residence in China. Here is one of the best semi-official translations I have come across of the implementation regulations for the law on permanent residence, the original of which can be found here: http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2005/content_64214.htm#.

==============

Measures for the Administration of Examination and Approval of Aliens¡¯ Permanent Residence in China

2006-12-26 15:33:44

(Approved by the State Council on December 13, 2003, promulgated by the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 15, 2004, Decree No.74)

Article 1 With a view to standardizing the examination and approval of aliens¡¯ permanent residence in China, these regulations are formulated in accordance with the Law of the People¡¯s Republic of China on the Entry and Exit of Aliens and the relevant provisions for its implementation.

Article 2 The term ¡°aliens¡¯ permanent residence in China¡± means that the residence period of aliens in China has no time limit.

Article 3 The Alien¡¯s Permanent Residence Permit is a valid ID certificate for aliens who have obtained permanent residence status in China, which may be used independently.

Article 4 Aliens with permanent residence status in China are permitted to enter and leave the Chinese territory with valid passports and the Alien¡¯s Permanent Residence Permit.

Article 5 The authorities handling aliens¡¯ applications for permanent residence in China are the public security organ of the people¡¯s government of the city divided into districts, and branch bureaus or county bureaus of the public security bureau of a municipality directly under the Central Government. The authorities examining aliens¡¯ applications for permanent residence in China are public security organs, bureaus at the level of province, autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government. The authorities approving aliens¡¯ applications for permanent residence in China are the Ministry of Public Security.

Article 6 Aliens who wish to apply for permanent residence in China should abide by Chinese laws, be healthy and have no criminal record, and they must meet at least one of the following requirements:

1) having made direct investment in China with stable operation and a good tax paying record for three successive years;

2) having been holding the post of deputy general manager, deputy factory director or above, or having the title of associate professor or associate research fellow or above, and other associate senior titles of professional posts or above or enjoying an equal treatment in China for at least four successive years, with a minimum period of residence in China for three cumulative years within four years and with a good tax paying record;

3) having made great and outstanding contributions and being specially needed by China;

4) being the spouse or unmarried children under 18 years of age of a person referred to in Item (1), (2) or (3) of this paragraph;

5) being the spouse of a Chinese citizen or of an alien with permanent residence status in China, in a marriage relationship for at least five years, with at least five successive years of residence in China and at least nine months of residence in China each year, and having stable source of subsistence and a dwelling place;

6) being an unmarried child under 18 years of age dependant on his/her parents;

7) being a person at the age of 60 years or older with no direct relatives overseas but patronized by direct relatives in China, having stayed in China for at least five successive years with at least nine-month residence in China each year, and having stable source of subsistence and a dwelling place.

All the time periods mentioned in this article mean the successive ones till the application date.

Article 7 In the case of an alien under Item (1) of the first paragraph of Article 6 herein, the registered capital he/she pays as investment in China shall meet any of the following requirements:

1) investment of at least US$500,000 in total in any industry encouraged under the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries ;

2) investment of at least US$500,000 in total in western China or any key county under National Poverty Relief and Development Program;

3) investment of at least US$1 million in total in central China;

4) investment of at least US$2 million in total in China.

Article 8 In the case of an alien under Item (2) of the first paragraph of Article 6 herein, the unit in which he/she holds a post must be any of the following:

1) an institution subordinate to any department of the State Council or the People¡¯s Government at the provincial level;

2) a key college or university;

3) an enterprise or government-sponsored institution implementing a key engineering project or major scientific research project of the state;

4) a high-tech enterprise, foreign invested enterprise in encouraged fields, technologically advanced enterprise with foreign investment or export-oriented enterprise with foreign investment.

Article 9 Applicants shall faithfully fill in the Application Form for Aliens¡¯ Permanent Residence in China and submit the following materials:

1) a valid passport or other certificates that may be used instead of the passport;

2) a health certificate issued by a hygiene and quarantine agency designated by Chinese government or by a foreign hygiene and medical agency authorized by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in that country;

3) a certificate of no criminal record in the country concerned as issued by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in that country;

4) four recently-taken full-faced color photos (2 by 2 inches, bareheaded) of the applicant;

5) other relevant materials required herein.

Article 10 An applicant under Item (1) of the first paragraph of Article 6 herein shall submit the Certificate of Approval for the foreign-invested enterprise, a Certificate of Registration, a Joint Annual Inspection Certificate, a Report on the Capital Verification along with a Personal Tax Payment Receipt. In the case of a foreign-invested enterprise in encouraged fields, the Confirmation Letter for Foreign-Invested Projects Encouraged by the State shall also be submitted.

Article 11 An applicant under Item (2) of the first paragraph of Article 6 herein should submit the following materials in addition:

1) a certificate certifying his position or professional title as issued by his employer;

2) Foreign Expert Certificate or Alien¡¯s Employment Permit;

3) a Certificate of Registration, a Certificate of Annual Inspection, and a Personal Tax Payment Receipt as issued by his employer; where the employer is a foreign-invested enterprise, a Certificate of Approval for the foreign-invested enterprise and a Joint Annual Inspection Certificate are required in addition;

4) in the case of an applicant who holds a post in an enterprise or government-sponsored institution implementing a key engineering project or major scientific research project of the state, a certificate certifying the project as issued by the competent authority of the government at the provincial or ministry level shall be submitted; in the case of an applicant who holds a post in a high-tech enterprise, a high-tech enterprise certificate shall be submitted; in the case of a foreign-invested enterprise in encouraged fields, technologically advanced enterprise with foreign investment or export-oriented enterprise with foreign investment, the Confirmation Letter for Foreign-Invested Projects Encouraged by the State or the Confirmation Letter for Technologically Advanced Enterprise with Foreign Investment or the Confirmation Letter for Export-oriented Enterprise with Foreign Investment shall be submitted.

Article 12 An applicant under Item (3) of the first paragraph of Article 6 herein shall also submit a Letter of Recommendation and other relevant certificates as issued by the competent authorities of the Chinese government.

Article 13 An applicant under Item (4) of the first paragraph of Article 6 herein shall, in addition, submit a marriage certificate in the case of a spouse, his birth certificate or proof of parentage in the case of an unmarried child under 18 years of age, and an adoption certificate in the case of an adopted child. The above-mentioned certificates as issued by a foreign agency shall be subject to the authentication of the Chinese embassy or consulate in the country concerned.

Article 14 An applicant under Item (5) of the first paragraph of Article 6 herein shall, in addition, submit the permanent household register certificate of his or her Chinese spouse or foreign spouse¡¯s Alien¡¯s Permanent Residence Permit, the marriage certificate, and a notarized certificate of source of subsistence and house leasing or property rights certificate. The above-mentioned certificates as issued by a foreign agency shall be subject to the authentication of the Chinese embassy or consulate in the country concerned.

Article 15 An applicant under Item (6) of the first paragraph of Article 6 herein shall, in addition, submit his/her Chinese parents¡¯ permanent household register certificate; or foreign parents¡¯ Alien¡¯s Permanent Resident Permit, his/her birth certificate or proof of parentage and, in the case of an adopted child, the adoption certificate in addition. The above-mentioned certificates as issued by a foreign agency shall be subject to the authentication of the Chinese embassy or consulate in the country concerned.

Article 16 An applicant under Item (7) of the first paragraph of Article 6 herein shall, in addition, submit the permanent household register certificate of the Chinese citizen, or the permanent residence permit of an alien, to whom he/she is to seek patronage, a notarized certificate for family relationship, and a certificate certifying that the applicant has no direct relative abroad, a notarized certificate certifying the applicant¡¯s financial source or a notarized certificate of financial guarantee of the person by whom the applicant is patronized, a notarized house leasing certificate or property rights certificate of the person by whom the applicant is patronized. The above-mentioned certificates as issued by a foreign agency shall be subject to the authentication of the Chinese embassy or consulate in the country concerned.

Article 17 An application for aliens¡¯ permanent residence in China shall be submitted by the applicant himself/herself, or his/her parents if he/she is unmarried and under 18 years of age or his/her attorney, to the public security organ of the people¡¯s government of the city divided into districts, or to the branch bureaus or county bureaus of the public security bureau of a municipality directly under the Central Government, in the place where the principal investment is made or of long-term residence.
In the case of applying through an attorney, a power of attorney issued by the applicant shall be submitted. A power of attorney issued by the applicant abroad shall be subject to the authentication of the Chinese embassy or consulate in the country concerned.

Article 18 The public security organ shall make a decision of approval or disapproval within 6 months from the date of handling aliens¡¯ applications of permanent residence in China.

Article 19 Aliens whose permanent residence status in China are permitted will receive Alien¡¯s Permanent Residence Permit issued by the Ministry of Public Security; if the applicant is out of the Chinese territory, the Ministry of Public Security shall issue a Confirmation Form of Aliens¡¯ Permanent Residence Status to the applicant, who shall apply for a ¡°D¡± visa to the Chinese embassy or consulate in the country concerned with the Confirmation Form and, within 30 days from his entry into China, get the Alien¡¯s Permanent Residence Permit from the public security organ that handled his/her application.

Article 20 Aliens who are approved to reside permanently in China must stay in China for at least three cumulative months a year. If an alien is unable to stay in China for such minimum period due to any reason, he/she shall apply for the approval of the departments or bureaus of public security at the level of province, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government in the place of his/her long-term residence, provided that the cumulative period of his/her residence in China shall not be less than one cumulative year in five years.

Article 21 The valid term of Alien¡¯s Permanent Residence Permit in China is five years or ten years. Aliens who are permitted to reside permanently in China and are under 18 years of age have Alien¡¯s Permanent Residence Permit in China valid for five years; those who are permitted to reside permanently in China and are 18 years of age or older have the permits valid for ten years.

Article 22 In the case of expiry of, any change of particulars in, damage to or loss of an Alien¡¯s Permanent Residence Permit, the holder shall apply for renewal or reissue of the permit to the public security organ of the people¡¯s government of the city divided into districts, or the branch bureaus or county bureaus of the public security bureau of a municipality directly under the Central Government in the place of his/her long-term residence. The public security organ shall make such renewal or reissue within one month if, upon examination, it holds that the holder still meets the requirements for a foreigner to be approved to permanently reside in China.

Article 23 The holder of Alien¡¯s Permanent Residence Permit should apply for a renewal within one month before the expiry of the old one; within one month after any change of particulars in the permit; or for a renewal or reissue promptly in the case of any damage to or loss of the Permit.

Article 24 The Ministry of Public Security may cancel such status of him/her and withdraw or revoke his/her Alien¡¯s Permanent Residence Permit in the case of a foreigner with permanent residence status in China under any of the following circumstances:

1) being likely to threaten the national security and interests;

2) being expelled from China by the people¡¯s court;

3) having obtained the permanent residence status in China by submitting false materials or by other illegal means;

4) having stayed in China without approval for a period less than three cumulative months a year or less than a cumulative year in five years.

Article 25 Aliens who have been approved of permanent residence in China before the implementation of these Measures shall, within six months from the implementation, renew his/her Alien¡¯s Permanent Residence Permit to the public security organ of the people¡¯s government of the city divided into districts or the branch bureaus or county bureaus of the public security bureau of a municipality directly under the Central Government that issued the original Permit or in the place of his/her long-term residence.

Article 26 The charge items and rates in respect of a foreigner¡¯s application for permanent residence status in China and the issue, renewal and reissue of an Alien¡¯s Permanent Residence Permit shall conform to the relevant provisions of the departments of price control and finance of the State Council.

Article 27 The significations of the following terms in these Measures:

1) ¡°direct relative¡± shall include parents (parents of spouse), grandparents (maternal grandparents), adult children at least 18 years of age and their spouses, adult grandchildren at least 18 years of age (maternal grandchildren) and their spouses;

2) both ¡°above¡± and ¡°within¡± shall include the given figure.

Article 28 The power to interpret these Measures shall be vested in the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Article 29 These Measures shall go into effect as of the date of promulgation.

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underh20
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Posted: Sep 28, 2008 - 07:42 PM

The new law on permanent residence replaces the old system of resettlement certificates, honorary citizenship and the old version of the D visa which was seldom used anyhow and even then often without rhyme or reason.

For all practical purposes, there are five main categories of individuals elegible to apply for permanent residence. It is important to note that just because one is elegible to apply does not at all mean one's application will be approved. In fact, the vast majority of applications are denied or placed in an eternal state of limbo. Many estimates of the current number of permanent residents place the current total at about 500 which includes approximately 300 that had an earlier form of long-term residence prior to enactment of the current regulations.

The five main categories are:

1. Significant investment for at least three years;
2. Certain individuals holding executive positions for at least 4 years in certain specified industries;
3. Individuals with highly placed political connections;
4. Spouses of Chinese nationals or Chinese permanent residents who meet certain criteria; and
5. Senior citizens whose only relatives are Chinese nationals or Chinese permanent residents living in China.

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Alogen

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Posted: Sep 28, 2008 - 08:33 PM

This document is pretty lol as I'm pretty sure the answer is 'be the subject of a man-crash by a senior official in immigration'. Didn't they only issue 49 last year?

Though I do wonder about the investment amounts to China: A single person has to directly commit the wealth? What about wealth committed through a company? What about public companies, or limited partnerships (like private equity firms)? Subsidiaries? If I buy US$500,000 worth of shares in Henan-based companies, is that committing investment money into central China?

Obviously I'm guessing the answer is 'whatever you want / don't want it to mean' depending on how well you are liked

underh20
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Posted: Sep 28, 2008 - 08:46 PM

Alogen wrote:

You cannot buy RMB shares (A shares) in China as they are limited to Chinese nationals or permanent residents.

If you invest through an intermediary vehicle, you'd need to own the entity and / or have your name appear as beneficial owner on the Chinese incorporation documents.

They have issued very few green cards since the program's inception 4 years ago. Not sure if your crush theory would work since immigration has neither voice nor vote in the selection process. All determinations are made directly by the Public Security Ministry.

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Michael

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Posted: Sep 28, 2008 - 09:15 PM

Great info..thanks Underh20

underh20
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Posted: Oct 03, 2008 - 09:35 AM

The vast majority of posts I have seen on SHexpat about obtaining permanent residency were in the category of those married to Chinese nationals. While many countries place special emphasis on inter-nationality families - often up to and including citizenship -- China does not.

At the same time China enacted the implementationregulations for permanent residency, they also started allowing one-year "L" visas for spouses of Chinese citizens. Although there are some conditions, they are generally manageable. Obtaining permanent residence, though, generally is not.

If you read the requirements in the implementation regulations, it seems really easy:

1. Married to a Chinese national or permanent resident;
1.a. Married for at least 5 years;
2. Lived in China 5 continuous years (3-month-per-year break allowed);
2.a. 5-year-period begins upon marriage and must continue up to the moment you apply for permanent residency.

So, your married for 5 years and have lived here 5 years so you automatically qualify, right? No.

Another condition is that you have a stable income and place to live. The question now becomes, "What does stable mean?" According to the municipal Public Security Bureau, stable means ... well, stable. Yes, sir, I understand that stable means stable, but can you please explain the technical meaning of the word and what conditions are required to meat the definition of stable? Stable means stable.

So we're getting nowhere with this question so we go up the chain of command to the provincial PSB. Not surprisingly, again ... stable means stable. Not until you take it to the next highest level do you finally learn that stable means:

1. Income: A job in China that you have held for "some time now" and has a permanent contract. A one or two-year contract will not suffice. You have to have a permanent position under Chinese labor law. Another method is showing you have a permanent source of income from an overseas source. Social Security might be one. A state-funded pension can be another.

2. Residence: You have lived in a rented residence for "some time now" and have a) all the fapiaos proving that you have paid the rent and b) a rental agreement that is longer than your typical one or two-year contract. The only other option is that you own your own home. The expat's name must be on the property deed, if not also the mortgage documents.

We're starting to see now that, in fact, they really do not want to grant permanent residency to people in this category.

Regardless of which category you apply under, as part of the process the municipal PSB will conduct an in-country background check of the applicant. I have seen where they will go to each and every apartment in the building where the applicant lives. They will then sample others in the same complex as well as the complex management center and all the security and maintenance personnel. They will visit your employer a few times, your spouse's employer a few times and just about anywhere you have been during your stay in China.

When the municipal PSB finishes this, the provincial PSB turns around and repeats the entire process. Many of the questions they ask pertain to the applicants character (that's character with Chinese characteristics). Think intrusive. Very intrusive.

Again regardless of category, you need certification of no criminal record. For some people this is an insurmountable task under the best of circumstances. Even if you are not on the FBI's most wanted list, for people in certain countries getting this document is extremely difficult. Like Americans.

So, you have everything in order and have enough notarized documentation to paper the Empire State Building. You wait about a year for the processing (the 6 months they say in the regulations is 100% bull) and get ... declined. The vast majority of applications are declined.

They really do not want to grant permanent residency in this category. Or in any other category, really.

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SnappySammy

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Posted: Oct 31, 2008 - 08:46 AM

I have been told you have to know someone in the Govt..... and it is a good thing to have a friend in the Govt.....

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underh20
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Posted: Oct 31, 2008 - 08:55 AM

That would only help if you have friends at the ministry level or higher. Since approval is the exclusive domain of the Ministry of Public Security, any friends you have at the local or even provincial level are of no use.

If you can meet the requirements and substantiate everything, you should be ok.

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jc20

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Posted: Dec 09, 2008 - 11:16 PM

These are really good inputs.

I am thinking about applying for PR next year as I will have been married for 5 years working in China. I work for a multi-national in China and have been in the same job for 7 years, but I'm employed on 2 year contracts. With the need to demonstrate 'stable' income, would it not be sufficient to show interest from Chinese bank savings, if the savings were generating quite a lot of money each year?

Apart from just interest from bank savings, if you could show you have over.. say RMB 20 or 30M in assets in China would this not work (real estate, bank savings, etc)?

underh20
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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 12:22 AM

jc20 wrote:

You would definitely have to show your employment details, but the fact that you are on 2-year contracts could probably be strengthened as you suggested -- showing assets. I would get notarized copies of all relevant documents (every document not issued in the original by a direct government entity must be notarized) and include them. You will also have to make a written statement of application and I would specify the financial details that make your case unique clearly in that statement.

During the past 5 years have you been absent from China for more than 90 days during any calendar year? If not, you should be in good shape.

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jc20

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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 11:47 AM

Thanks for your reply.

I haven't been absent from China for more than 90 days per calendar year for the past 5 years, so this should be okay.

Another question: The place where I live is owned by my wife but mortgage contracts are in both names - is this okay or would it be better to live in a house with your name on both mortgage contracts and house certificate?

For the application process, I plan on getting all documents and applying myself. From your experience is it better to just apply yourself or would you recommend hiring an agent or even a lobbying firm (not sure if there are such things in China) to help in the process.

underh20
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Posted: Dec 10, 2008 - 12:10 PM

jc20 wrote:

Actually, nobody but your wife could apply on your behalf so even if there were agents you could use it would be of no use. Besides, I seriously doubt they would know what to do and they couldn't possibly have any influence in the process because, after all, all decisions are made by the Public Security Ministry in Beijing. All the local PSB does is collect the documents and conduct a background investigation.

Ideally it is better to also have your name on the title, but you should be ok since you can get notarized copies of the mortgage papers and show that the house is also your responsibility. That together with the fact that all property acquired during the marriage belongs to both spouses equally regardless of whose name it is under should be ok.

The best thing is to collect all the documentation you can muster to prove every requirement. All non-government issued documents should be notarized and it pays to be anal retentive. The PSB is notorious for not giving you enough information / clarification and then for some obscure irrelevant reason they decide to reject your application after you've been waiting for a year.

Another important thing that is really easy to overlook is the statement of no criminal record. Any screw ups in obtaining / processing this document are a definite deal breaker.

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jc20

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Posted: Jan 04, 2009 - 08:53 AM

If you have PR do you need to pay taxes on Worldwide income if you leave China for over a month per tax year (one trip over 30 days)? I know if your employed in China on working visa that you are exempt for taxes on Worldwide income and would like to know what the tax position is if you have PR. Thanks.

underh20
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Posted: Jan 04, 2009 - 08:58 AM

jc20 wrote:

If you have PR, you are subject to Chinese taxation on your worldwide income no matter how long you leave the country for.

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kumlong

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Posted: Jan 04, 2009 - 01:46 PM

wats the benefit of taking a chinese PR? other than for being able to buy shares, i cannot see any other benefit

Zak101

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Posted: Jan 04, 2009 - 02:11 PM

Staying here forever if you want (wicked laugh).

I'd go mad for starters if I had to stay here 5 years with short breaks back in Oz.
Oops, done that.

@ Under "2. Lived in China 5 continuous years (3-month-per-year break allowed); "

I really wouldn't bother, considering the stupendous amount of BS involved.

*Next provocative sentence deleted by self*

Z.

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kumlong

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Posted: Jan 04, 2009 - 02:20 PM

still cant see the benefit. u can easily just go in and out on 6mth or 1y tourist visas, cant u? assuming u are not working

underh20
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Posted: Jan 04, 2009 - 03:48 PM

kumlong wrote:

still cant see the benefit. u can easily just go in and out on 6mth or 1y tourist visas, cant u? assuming u are not working

True, to an extent.

PR allows you do come and go as you please with virtually unlimited work and residence opportunities.

In my particular case, I was getting bored with the registrations with the local police and renewal of my work visa every few years. I also didn't particularly care for the restrictions on expat property purchases and the pain in the ass currency exchange regulations. I was confident in my continued ability to obtain work visas, but still thought it would be nice not having to carry around a passport for identification and be at the mercy of any government decision which had a negative affect on expats.

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Zak101

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Posted: Jan 05, 2009 - 11:11 AM

If I could only find my bloody passport - mother-in-law tidied up today and she's gone shopping.

If I recall, the new visa was issued in mid-December and delivered home by a PSB courier since I was too slack to go down and get it.

Here's what I recall, something like:

Apart from the usual 1 year extension, there was another sticker advising that I could apply for an ? A+B ? visa valid for 3 years without BS renewals if

a: I was married to a Chinese National and
b: I had lived in China for *more than 5 years.

But mind you, it was an L visa, nudge, wink. Still 3 years is better than a slap in the face with a large Hangzhou West Lake mullet (or other large West Lake specimen) on a cold rainy day.

When I find my f**king passport I'll re-post with an update with the exact wording. It's got to be here somewhere !

Z.

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underh20
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Posted: Jan 05, 2009 - 11:18 AM

Yes, 3 years is pretty good, but that would only apply to those with Chinese spouses.

Try to go the distance and qualify for permanent residency. Then you won't have to worry that at some point in time the PSB might actually stop looking the other way at those working illegally.

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jc20

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Posted: Jan 18, 2009 - 10:10 PM

Shanghai to make permanent residency easier for experts
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=388438&type=Metro

Article in Shanghai Daily stating that the government is planning on making it easier for expats to get PR - let's see what changes are made and if it becomes any easier...

underh20
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Posted: Jan 18, 2009 - 10:37 PM

jc20 wrote:

They've been saying this for a long time. But there's the pesky little issue of Shanghai government having neither voice nor vote in who qualifies for or receives permanent residence. Approval of permanent residence is the exclusive domain of Beijing -- the Public Security Ministry and the State Council.

What some cities try to do is offer a type of honorary citizenship in the form of what appears to be an ordinary Chinese national's ID card. Problem is that this type of ID is not valid outside of Shanghai and, in many instances, even within the city. The person also needs a valid visa unless they never want to leave China ... or Shanghai for that matter.

We'll just have to wait and see how it goes in order to find out whether the claim is typical bureaucratic bullshit or actually has some substance to it.

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homeagain

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Posted: Feb 04, 2009 - 04:40 AM

underh20 wrote:

The new law on permanent residence replaces the old system of resettlement certificates, honorary citizenship and the old version of the D visa which was seldom used anyhow and even then often without rhyme or reason.

The five main categories are:
...
4. Spouses of Chinese nationals or Chinese permanent residents who meet certain criteria; and
...

Can anybody explain in detail what are thoes certain criteria?

underh20
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Posted: Feb 04, 2009 - 10:34 AM

homeagain wrote:

underh20 wrote:

The new law on permanent residence replaces the old system of resettlement certificates, honorary citizenship and the old version of the D visa which was seldom used anyhow and even then often without rhyme or reason.

The five main categories are:
...
4. Spouses of Chinese nationals or Chinese permanent residents who meet certain criteria; and
...

Can anybody explain in detail what are thoes certain criteria?

1. Married for 5 years.
2. Living in China continuously for 5 years subsequent to marriage and up to and including the time you apply for permanent residency. You must be absent from China no more than 90 days each year.
3. You must have a "stable" residence. This means you must have an open-ended, indeterminate (not 1-year or time limited) lease and have lived there for a long time. You will need to produce the fa paios as proof. Otherwise, you need to own the property.
4. "Stable" employment. By "stable" you need an open-ended, indeterminate labor contract with sufficient salary to show you can live.
5. Proof of no criminal record from your home country and any other country you have lived in.
6. Pass a background investigation by the municipal and provincial PSB.
7. A lot of luck because most are refused anyhow.

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melloyello

Talker

Joined: Feb 25, 2009
Posts: 75
Location: XuJiaHui
Status: Offline

Posted: Feb 25, 2009 - 10:16 PM

I'm a BBC (BritishBornChinese), with HKSAR PR due to working and living in HK for 7 yrs & a China Permit allowing me to live & work in China without a visa.

Here's the crunch, my wife is a former China national from Shanghai, now has UK citizenship and lives & works in SHA using a work visa. I have no restrictions, but my Shanghai born wife now UK citizen needs to get a visa to stay in the country. That also relates to my UK born daughter, who attends kindergarten here for the last 4yrs.

What if any, can I do to have my family stay in SHA without the need of red tape?????? Any ideas?

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