The documents and supporting materials required for applying for permanent residency in China (Chinese green card) may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the applicant. Generally speaking, in addition to submitting basic materials such as a valid foreign passport, health certificate, and certificate of no criminal record abroad, it is also necessary to submit corresponding materials according to the application category to which one belongs. Specific requirements include the following categories:
（1） Investment personnel
1. Copy of the business license of the enterprise legal representative;
2. Proof of annual report disclosure for the enterprise;
3. Confirmation of Foreign Investment Projects;
4. Copy of capital verification report;
5. Encouraged foreign-invested enterprises also need to provide a confirmation letter of foreign investment projects encouraged by the state or a copy of the certificate issued by the provincial competent department stating that the enterprise is a foreign-invested enterprise encouraged by the state, as well as a copy of the personal tax payment certificate.
（2） Employed personnel
1. Copy of employment certificate;
2. Copy of work permit for foreigners in China;
3. Copy of unit registration certificate;
4. Proof of publication of the annual report of the enterprise;
5. Copies of project certification documents or confirmation letters;
6. Copy of personal tax payment certificate.
（3） Special personnel
1. Recommendation letter reprint;
2. Copies of relevant rewards and achievement certificates.
（4） Spouses of investment, employment, and special personnel, as well as unmarried children under the age of 18
1. Copy of marriage certificate, birth certificate or proof of parent-child relationship;
2. Xeroxed copies of permanent residence identity cards of foreigners who invest, hold posts or are special personnel.
（5） Family reunion personnel
1. Copy of marriage certificate;
2. Copy of spouse’s identification document;
3. Copy of the property lease or ownership certificate;
4. Copy of proof of living security.
（6） Family reunion personnel
1. Copy of birth certificate or proof of parent-child relationship;
2. Copies of the identification documents of Chinese parents, or copies of the valid passports of foreign parents and the permanent residence identity cards of foreigners;
3. If both parents have divorced, a copy of the proof of guardianship responsibility between the person being sought after and the applicant should be provided.
（7） Relatives seeking refuge with individuals
1. Copy of proof that the applicant has no direct relatives abroad;
2. Copy of proof of domestic family relationship;
3. Copies of the permanent registered residence registration certificate and resident identity card of the Chinese citizen who has been seconded, or the valid passport and permanent resident identity card of the foreigner who has been seconded;
4. Copy of the property lease or ownership certificate;
5. Copy of proof of living security.
In addition, according to Article 24 of the Measures for the Administration of Examination and Approval of Foreigners’ Permanent Residence in China, if an alien with permanent residence qualification in China has any of the following circumstances, the State Migration Administration may cancel his permanent residence qualification in China, and at the same time confiscate his permanent residence ID card or declare it invalid:
1. May pose a threat to national security and interests;
2. Those who have been sentenced to deportation by the people’s court;
3. Obtaining permanent residency in China through illegal means such as providing false materials;
4. Those who have resided in China for less than three months or less than one year within five years without approval.
It is recommended to thoroughly understand the relevant policies and requirements before applying, and ensure that the submitted materials are true, complete, and accurate. At the same time, the specific implementation standards and requirements may vary in different regions. Specific situations can be consulted with the public security organs of the local people’s governments at the district level or the public security branches and county bureaus of the municipalities directly under the central government.
