China and the world have had an… “interesting” few years. The world seems to be moving forward into a new stage of globalization, with less concentration of manufacturing in China, and greater emphasis on local and regional supply chains.
Still, China remains an attractive target for start-ups, multinational corporations filling select research and development roles, and consumer products companies seeking to enter the China market and benefit from China’s middle-class wealth.
In fact, our China Lawyers and China Visa & Immigration Specialists have seen an uptick in foreign nationals seeking China Permanent Resident status (i.e. “China Green Card”).
Obtaining a Chinese Greed Card offers a clear benefit by providing additional stability to those foreign nationals working in China, allowing them to focus on work or their daily life rather than worrying about immigration status or counting down to when their residence permit expires.
China has been tightening up requirements for foreign nationals to obtain visas to enter the country for several years now, so it is no surprise that requirements to obtain the increasingly popular China Green Card pose a high bar.
When our China Visa I Immigration team receives an inquiry regarding obtaining the China Green Card, we start off with explaining some of the basic requirements. Several preliminary inquiries we have received have not moved forward because the questioner does not meet the basic requirements to obtain a China Green Card.
To be eligible for a China Green Card, the applicant must demonstrate they meet two main criteria:
· The applicant must have made at least RMB 500,000 per year for the previous four consecutive years (this amounts to a requirement to have paid at least RMB 100,000 in annual tax each year);
· The applicant must have resided in China 6 months or more each year for the prior four years (verified via passport stamps).
Naturally, the applicant is required to demonstrate they meet these requirements via submission of relevant documentation. This means in addition to providing copies of all relevant passport/s, official Work Permits and valid Resident Permits for the prior four years, the applicant must provide the applicable tax payment receipts for the past 4 years, demonstrating at least RMB 100,000 in tax paid.
One additional caveat, the applicant must be physically present in China at the time of application.
If all necessary documentation is on hand the applicant must make an appointment with the relevant department. The Lehman, Lee & Xu Visa & Immigration Team is able to assist.
Processing of the application is expected to take up to six months from the date of submission, however, we are aware of some reported cases where the processing time was substantially lower.
Our Visa & Immigration professionals are able to walk you through the process, pre-review documentation to confirm eligibly, and assist with submitting the official application.