Permanent Residence Permit (Investment Category)

China's Permanent Residence Permit (Investment Category), commonly known as the "Chinese Green Card," allows foreign nationals who have made substantial direct investments in China to obtain permanent residence. Established under the Measures for the Administration of Examination and Approval of Foreigners' Permanent Residence in China (2003, effective 2004), the program targets investors and entrepreneurs who have invested in Chinese enterprises, maintained stable investment for three consecutive years, and demonstrate good tax compliance. China's permanent residence system is one of the most selective in the world, but the number of permits issued has grown in recent years.

• Foreign national who has made direct investment in a Chinese enterprise as a natural person or controlling shareholder
• Investment maintained at or above the qualifying threshold for three consecutive years with no year falling below the minimum
• Good tax compliance record for all three years
• No criminal record (verified in both country of nationality and China)
• Good health (medical certificate required)
• Must abide by Chinese law

Investment thresholds by region:

• General regions: USD 2,000,000
• Central China: USD 1,000,000
• Western China, national poverty-alleviation counties, or state-encouraged industries: USD 500,000

Investment must be in the form of registered capital in a Chinese enterprise. Portfolio investments, real estate purchases, or government bond holdings do not qualify.

• Application form with 2 recent passport-size photos (2-inch, white background)
• Valid passport and current visa or residence permit
• Business license of the invested enterprise
• Capital verification reports for 3 consecutive years (issued by a certified accounting firm)
• Audited financial statements for 3 consecutive years
• Enterprise annual reports or annual inspection certificates for 3 years
• Individual income tax clearance certificate for 3 consecutive years
• Foreign Investment Enterprise Approval Certificate (if applicable)
• Confirmation letter for encouraged-category foreign-invested projects (if applicable)
• Health certificate (issued within the preceding 6 months)
• Criminal record certificate from country of nationality (notarized and authenticated by a Chinese embassy or consulate)
• Domestic (China) criminal record certificate

Permanent residence status carries no time limit on the right to reside and work in China. The physical Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card is valid for 10 years for adults (18+) and 5 years for minors. Card renewal must be applied for at least 30 days before expiry at the local public security bureau exit-entry division. Renewal costs CNY 300; replacement for loss or damage costs CNY 600.

Permanent residence holders must reside in China for a minimum of 3 months per year, or alternatively at least 1 cumulative year within any 5-year period. Failure to meet minimum residence requirements is grounds for revocation.

The qualifying investor's spouse and unmarried children under 18 may apply for permanent residence simultaneously. Each dependant must independently satisfy requirements for lawful conduct, good health, and no criminal record. Spouses must provide notarized and authenticated marriage certificates; children must provide birth certificates. Dependant applications are processed together with the principal applicant's application.

Permanent residents who reside in China for 183 or more days in a tax year are treated as tax residents and are subject to individual income tax on worldwide income at progressive rates of 3%–45%. The "six-year rule" may exempt non-domiciled residents from worldwide taxation if they have not resided in China for six consecutive years of 183+ days each. China has double taxation treaties with many countries.

Applications are submitted in person (or through an authorized representative with notarized power of attorney) at the exit-entry administration division of the municipal-level public security bureau where the primary investment is located or where the applicant maintains long-term residence.

The review process has three stages:

1. Local bureau review: Initial document review at municipal level
2. Provincial examination: Forwarded to the provincial-level public security department
3. Ministry of Public Security approval: Final approval by the National Immigration Administration

The entire process must be completed within 6 months of application acceptance (Shanghai reports approximately 90 working days after all documents are submitted). Application fees: CNY 1,500 processing fee + CNY 300 card issuance fee per person.

Foreign nationals outside China who receive approval are issued a D visa for initial entry, upon which they collect their permanent residence card from the issuing authority. Holders enter and exit China using their passport together with the permanent residence card.