The approval process for foreigners to apply for the right of permanent residence is generally as follows:
1. Preparation materials:
-Basic materials: a valid foreign passport or a document that can replace a passport, along with a photocopy; A health certificate issued by a health and quarantine department designated by the Chinese government or a foreign health and medical institution certified by a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad (unmarried children under the age of 18 may not need to submit it); A foreign certificate of no criminal record authenticated by Chinese embassies and consulates abroad (unmarried children under 18 years old and applicants over 60 years old may not submit it); Four recent two inch front color photos without a hat; The completed Application Form for Foreigners’ Permanent Residence in China.
-Other related materials: Depending on the application category, corresponding proof materials need to be prepared. For example, for investment purposes, a copy of the business license of the enterprise legal person, annual inspection certificate, approval certificate for foreign-invested enterprises, joint annual inspection certificate, confirmation of foreign-invested projects, etc. are required to prove the investment situation in China; The employment certificate, Foreign Expert Certificate or Foreigner Employment Certificate, unit registration certificate, annual inspection certificate, etc. shall be provided to prove the employment status in China; Marriage reunion requires proof of marriage, proof of spouse’s identity, proof of property rental or ownership, proof of living security, etc.
2. Submit an application:
-The applicant shall submit a permanent residence application to the public security organ of the city level people’s government or the public security branch or county bureau of the municipality directly under the central government where they reside. Some regions can also apply online through the government service platform of the National Immigration Administration.
-Submit application materials and pay the application fee according to regulations (the fee standard is based on relevant documents issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance).
3. Acceptance and initial review:
-The accepting authority conducts a preliminary review of the application materials, checking whether they are complete, authentic, and meet the requirements. If there are any missing or non compliant materials, the applicant will be notified to supplement or correct them.
-The accepting authority shall complete the investigation work within 3 months from the date of acceptance and submit eligible applications to the reviewing authority. During this process, the applicant may undergo interviews, on-site inspections, or verification of information with relevant departments.
4. Provincial review:
-After receiving the application materials, the reviewing authorities (public security departments and bureaus of various provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government) shall complete the review work within 2 months.
-The reviewing authority will conduct a re examination of the comprehensiveness and compliance of the application materials, and conduct in-depth verification based on the application category, such as evaluating the actual business and tax situation of the investment enterprise, as well as the positions and contributions of the personnel employed. Report to the Ministry of Public Security for approval if the conditions are met; Those who do not meet the conditions shall make a decision not to approve on behalf of the Ministry of Public Security within the above-mentioned period.
5. Approval from the Ministry of Public Security:
-The Ministry of Public Security conducts final approval on the submitted application, taking into account various factors such as the applicant’s contributions to China, compliance with Chinese laws, and social integration, and making a decision on whether to approve the application for permanent residency.
6. Certification and issuance:
-If the application is approved, the Ministry of Public Security is responsible for making the Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Identity Card.
-After the completion of the preparation of the certificate, the public security organ accepting the application shall issue the Alien Permanent Residence Identity Card to the applicant. If the applicant is abroad, the Ministry of Public Security will issue a Confirmation Form of Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Status. The applicant will take this form to the Chinese embassies and consulates abroad to apply for a “D” visa, and within 30 days after entering the country, he or she will obtain a Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Identity Card from the public security organ that accepts his or her application.
