The validity period of a foreigner’s permanent residence identity card is not directly related to the length of time they have left China, but is determined based on the foreigner’s age and relevant policies in China. Specifically:
1. Validity period: According to Article 21 of the Measures for the Administration of Approval of Permanent Residence of Foreigners in China, the validity period of foreign permanent residence documents is generally five or ten years. Foreigners under the age of 18 who have been approved to permanently reside in China shall be issued a Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Permit with a validity period of five years; Foreigners over the age of 18 who have been approved to permanently reside in China shall be issued a “Foreigner Permanent Residence Permit” with a validity period of ten years.
2. The impact of leaving China: Foreigners holding permanent residency identity cards who leave China will not be invalidated as long as their documents are valid and comply with China’s entry and exit management regulations. However, if a foreigner stays outside of China for too long, exceeding the period allowed by their visa or residence permit, it may hinder their entry or require them to reapply for a visa or residence permit.
3. Renewal: If a foreigner’s permanent residence permit is about to expire, they can apply for renewal from the Chinese immigration department. The specific conditions and procedures for renewal may vary depending on the region and policy.
The validity period of a foreigner’s permanent residence identity card is not directly related to the length of time they have left China, but is determined based on the foreigner’s age and relevant policies in China.
As long as foreigners are within the validity period of their documents and comply with China’s entry and exit management regulations, their documents will not be invalidated upon leaving China. However, if foreigners stay outside of China for too long, exceeding the period allowed by their visa or residence permit, they may face obstacles upon entry or need to reapply for a visa or residence permit.
