The country in the world where the Green Card is toughest to get is not the USA, not the UK, not New Zealand, but China! According to the statistics, from 2004 to 2013, only 7,356 people were granted a green card in China. A foreigner’s permanent residence in China means that there is no restriction on the length of time a foreigner can stay in China, which is commonly known as a ‘China Green Card’.
世界上最难拿绿卡的国家，不是美国、不是英国、不是新西兰、而是中国！据统计，从2004年到2013年，获得中国绿卡的总人数仅为7,356人。外国人在中国永久居留是指外国人在中国居留期不受限制，俗称“中国绿卡”。
The foreigner’s permanent residence permit is the legal identity document for the foreigner who has obtained the permanent residence qualification in China to stay in China. The holder can enjoy the corresponding public services and convenience in handling the affairs of finance, education, medical treatment, transportation, accommodation, work, tax and social insurance, property registration, litigation, etc.
外国人永久居留证是获得在中国永久居留资格的外国人在中国境内居留的合法身份证件，持证人可以在办理金融、教育、医疗、交通、住宿、工作、税收和社会保险、财产登记、诉讼等事务时享受相应的公共服务和便利。
However, it’s not easy to apply for a permanent residence permit for foreigners. Many people don’t know their own situations, and don’t know what conditions they need to meet. Therefore, SFBC team shares with you the relevant conditions, application materials and advantages of applying for a permanent residence permit for foreigners.
不过，申请外国人永久居留身份证并不是一件容易的事情，很多人并不了解自身的情况，同时也不清楚所需符合的条件，所以SFBC团队向大家分享相关的外国人永久居留申请条件、申请材料以及优势。
Types of Applications for Permanent Residence for Foreigners
外国人永久居留申请类型
Type of family members: couple reunion, parent-child reunion, relative reunion.
家属类型：夫妻团聚、亲子团聚、亲属投靠。
Job type: incumbent, investment personnel.
工作类型：任职人员、投资人员。
Application Conditions for Permanent Residence of Foreigners
外国人永久居留申请条件
There are many ways to apply for permanent residence permit. We mainly introduce the conditions for foreign employees to apply for permanent residence.
永久居留身份可以有很多申请途径，我们主要介绍的是外国就业人员申请永居的条件。
1. Talents in line with the national foreign talent introduction plan
1. 符合国家级外籍人才引进计划的人才
2. Foreign high-level talents and their spouses and minor children who meet the recognition standards
2. 符合认定标准的外籍高层次人才及其配偶、未成年子女
3. the actual residence in China for 4 years and every year after continuous work in the local area is not less than 6 months, with stable living security and residence. The annual income of wage and annual payment of personal income tax meet the specified standards (refer to the regulations of Exit-entry Administration Bureau of local Public Security Bureau for tax standard)
3. 在当地连续工作满4年、每年在我国境内实际居留累计不少于6个月，有稳定生活保障和住所，工资性年收入和年缴纳个人所得税达到规定标准（纳税标准参考当地公安局出入境规定）
Application Materials for Permanent Residence of Foreigners
外国人永久居留申请材料
1. Application form for permanent residence of foreigners in China;
1.《外国人在中国永久居留申请表》；
2. A valid foreign passport or a certificate that can replace a passport;
2. 有效的外国护照或者能够代替护照的证件；
3. Medical Checkup report issued by the health and quarantine department designated by the Chinese government or by foreign health and medical institutions certified by Chinese embassies or consulates abroad;
3. 中国政府指定的卫生检疫部门出具的或者经中国驻外使、领馆认证的外国卫生医疗机构签发的健康证明书；
4. Certificate of no foreign criminal record certified by Chinese embassies and consulates abroad;
4. 经中国驻外使、领馆认证的国外无犯罪记录证明；
5. Recent bareheaded colored photos;
5. 近期正面免冠彩色照片；
6. The certificate of one’s position or professional title issued by the unit holding the post;
6. 任职单位出具的本人职务或者职称证明；
7. Business license of the employer;
7. 任职单位的营业执照；
8. Other relevant materials specified in the administrative measures for the examination and approval of permanent residence of foreigners in China.
8. 《外国人在中国永久居留审批管理办法》规定的其他有关材料。
The Right of Permanent Residence of Foreigners
外国人永久居留的权利
Exit-entry: there is no restriction on the length of stay in China, and you can enter and leave China with a valid passport and a Permanent Residence Permit for foreigners without going through visa and other procedures; Their spouses and immediate family members may apply for corresponding visa, residence certificate or foreigner permanent residence certificate in accordance with relevant regulations.
出入境：在中国居留期限不受限制，可以凭有效护照和《外国人永久居留证》出入中国国境，无需另外办理签证等手续；其配偶及直系亲属，可按有关规定申请办理相应签证、居留证件或《外国人永久居留证》。
Job: Employment in China can be exempt from the visa; For those who meet the requirements and can legally obtain RMB to make foreign direct investment in China, “for those who invest in projects or establish foreign-invested enterprises in China, the development and reform, commerce, industry, foreign exchange and other departments shall simplify the approval and examination procedures and improve efficiency in accordance with the relevant Provisions on the administration of foreign investment, and can participate in professional and technical post qualification assessment and professional and technical personnel qualification examination according to regulations.
工作：在中国就业，免办工作签证；符合条件的，可以合法获得的人民币在中国境内进行外商直接投资” ，在中国投资项目、设立外商投资企业的，发展改革、商务、工商、外汇等部门按照外资管理有关规定简化核准及审批程序，提高效率，可按规定参加专业技术职务任职资格评审和专业技术人员资格考试。
Life: in terms of children’s schooling, children who are admitted to compulsory education can enjoy the relevant policies, and the administrative department of education in their place of residence shall go through the admission and transfer procedures in accordance with the principle of enrollment nearby, and no fees other than those stipulated by the State shall be charged.
生活：在子女就学方面，随迁子女义务教育阶段入学，符合条件的，可享受相关政策，由其居住地教育行政部门按照就近入学的原则办理入、转学手续，不收取国家规定以外的费用。
For participating in the social insurance, the “Permanent Resident Identity Card of Foreigners” can be used as a valid identity certificate to go through the procedures of social insurance. At the same time, the principle of “national treatment” should be embodied, and the holders of “Permanent Resident Identity Card for Foreigners” who live in China but are not employed should be specified. Those who meet the relevant requirements can also participate in the basic medical care for urban residents and social endowment insurance for urban residents, and enjoy social insurance treatment.
对于参加社保，可以“外国人永久居留身份证”作为有效身份凭证办理社会保险参保手续。同时，体现“国民待遇”原则，明确在境内居住而未就业的“外国人永久居留身份证”持有者，符合相关要求的，也可以参加我国城镇居民基本医疗和城镇居民社会养老保险，享受社会保险待遇。
According to the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Provident Fund, the housing provident fund can be deposited and used at the place of work. When leaving the area, the withdrawal or transfer procedures of the housing provident fund can be handled according to the regulations. That is to say, the holders of “Permanent Resident Identity Card for Foreigners” enjoy the same treatment as Chinese citizens in terms of housing provident fund.
可按照《住房公积金管理条例》等规定，在工作地缴存和使用住房公积金，离开该地区时，可按规定办理住房公积金的提取或转移手续，即持“外国人永久居留身份证”人员在住房公积金方面与中国公民享有同等待遇。
Foreigners holding “Permanent Resident Identity Card” enjoy the same treatment as Chinese citizens in terms of income tax payment, financial business, domestic business travel and consumption, and application for motor vehicle driving license.
持“外国人永久居留身份证”外国人在缴纳所得税、办理金融业务、进行国内商旅消费、申请机动车驾驶证等方面都享受中国公民同等待遇。