Rights for permanent foreign residents set out
By Zha Minjie |
December 12, 2012, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
China now allows foreigners with permanent residence on the mainland to share the same rights as Chinese nationals, with the exception of political rights and duties, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said yesterday.
Permanent foreign residents will be granted national treatment in terms of employment, investment, house purchase, gaining professional titles and obtaining education for their children, the ministry said in a statement.
This is the first time that the national treatment for foreign residents has been specified.
The new regulation is the result of two years of discussion, draft and research, officials said.
More than 4,700 foreigners have been granted the Chinese "green card" since August 2004 but the qualifications are strict.
In comparison, the United States issues more than 1 million green cards every year.
Demand for permanent residency is relatively high, but the process is complex and the rights granted were not made clear before the new policy was rolled out, Xinhua news agency reported.
Senior business executives and other top talents can apply but residency is also open to foreign investors who inject US$500,000 into industries specified by the Chinese government, for example, or up to US$2 million in other areas.
Expats married to Chinese spouses and the children of Chinese returnees will also be able to apply for long-term visas and permanent residence.
Foreign experts can apply for residence or long-term multi-entry visas for two to five years.
The current limit for long-term visas is less than two years.
Children of foreigners who have permanent residency will be able to enjoy compulsory education in their place of residence under the new regulation.
Permanent foreign residents will also be able to enjoy social insurance and apply for mortgages. Investments will also qualify for tax cuts.
"A lot of foreigners express their willingness to stay here for the long term," said an exit and entry police officer, surnamed Wu, in Shanghai.
He said many expats he came across had been in the city for more than 10 years and those with Chinese spouses were the group most keen on residency.
"Definitely I want to have a Chinese permanent residence card," said Guillermo Garcia, a restaurant owner in Shanghai. "It would be wonderful."
Garcia, from Mexico, has been living in the city for six years and runs the San Gines Churro & Chocolate Shop in Hongkou Plaza. He said the business was going well and he planned to stay in the city for a long time.
"Now I can speak Chinese, even Shanghai dialect, and adapt to the city well and it will make life easier for me if I have the permanent residency," he said.
Permanent foreign residents will be granted national treatment in terms of employment, investment, house purchase, gaining professional titles and obtaining education for their children, the ministry said in a statement.
This is the first time that the national treatment for foreign residents has been specified.
The new regulation is the result of two years of discussion, draft and research, officials said.
More than 4,700 foreigners have been granted the Chinese "green card" since August 2004 but the qualifications are strict.
In comparison, the United States issues more than 1 million green cards every year.
Demand for permanent residency is relatively high, but the process is complex and the rights granted were not made clear before the new policy was rolled out, Xinhua news agency reported.
Senior business executives and other top talents can apply but residency is also open to foreign investors who inject US$500,000 into industries specified by the Chinese government, for example, or up to US$2 million in other areas.
Expats married to Chinese spouses and the children of Chinese returnees will also be able to apply for long-term visas and permanent residence.
Foreign experts can apply for residence or long-term multi-entry visas for two to five years.
The current limit for long-term visas is less than two years.
Children of foreigners who have permanent residency will be able to enjoy compulsory education in their place of residence under the new regulation.
Permanent foreign residents will also be able to enjoy social insurance and apply for mortgages. Investments will also qualify for tax cuts.
"A lot of foreigners express their willingness to stay here for the long term," said an exit and entry police officer, surnamed Wu, in Shanghai.
He said many expats he came across had been in the city for more than 10 years and those with Chinese spouses were the group most keen on residency.
"Definitely I want to have a Chinese permanent residence card," said Guillermo Garcia, a restaurant owner in Shanghai. "It would be wonderful."
Garcia, from Mexico, has been living in the city for six years and runs the San Gines Churro & Chocolate Shop in Hongkou Plaza. He said the business was going well and he planned to stay in the city for a long time.
"Now I can speak Chinese, even Shanghai dialect, and adapt to the city well and it will make life easier for me if I have the permanent residency," he said.
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